Wills & Trusts
A simple way to care for the people and ministries that matter to you
We also offer the ability to create a free Revocable Living Trust
Everybody needs a will
Whether you’re 18 or 108, everyone should have a will in place. People use wills to choose who gets their property, name guardians for minor children, provide a plan for pets, and more.
A will can also reflect the people, ministries, and causes that have been meaningful throughout your life. For some, that includes making a Legacy Commitment to Williamsburg Community Chapel to help extend the Chapel’s disciple-making mission to generations still to come.
A legacy commitment through your will
Common gifted assets in wills and trusts
- Financial accounts
- Real estate
- Vehicles
- Brokerage accounts
- Crypto and NFTs
- Personal property
Beneficiary Designations
Another way to make a Legacy Commitment
Retirement accounts, life insurance policies, and other assets allow you to name beneficiaries directly. After providing for the people you love, you may also choose to include Williamsburg Community Chapel as part of your plans.
Why beneficiary designations are so powerful
Assets not included in your will are called non-probate assets. Examples are 401(k)s, IRAs, life insurance policies, and other accounts. Some people choose to include Williamsburg Community Chapel among their beneficiaries as a simple way to make a future Legacy Commitment. Depending on your circumstances, certain charitable beneficiary designations may also offer tax advantages.
Charitable benefits
Common gifted assets for beneficiaries
- IRA
- 401(k)
- Life insurance
- Joint real estate
- Joint bank accounts
- Joint property ownership
Already made a Legacy Commitment?
If you have chosen to include Williamsburg Community Chapel in your estate plans, you are welcome to let us know. Sharing your intentions is entirely optional, but it gives us an opportunity to understand your wishes and thank you for thinking about the Chapel’s future.
For a Generation to Come
“Let this be recorded for a generation to come, so that a people yet to be created may praise the Lord.”
Psalm 102:18
Those who came before us invested faithfully in a church whose future they could not fully see. We are the beneficiaries of their generosity today.
Legacy Commitments are one way we can do the same for those who come after us.
These commitments help position Williamsburg Community Chapel to continue its disciple-making mission for generations to come—strengthening our capacity for:
- Community
- Generosity
- Creativity
- Stability
What will Legacy Commitments support?
The Chapel’s General Fund remains the primary engine of our disciple-making ministry. Legacy Commitments are intended to strengthen that ministry for the future by supporting four enduring priorities:
- Community — keeping the Chapel’s facilities available as a resource for the whole community.
- Generosity — helping our ministries serve people regardless of their financial means.
- Creativity — creating room for “holy experiments” and new ways of reaching people.
- Stability — helping the Chapel navigate difficult seasons and sustain strong ministry for the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
A non-probate asset is an account or other asset that won’t be governed by the decisions you make in a will. Instead, these accounts commonly have an assigned beneficiary that you choose. Types of non-probate assets include many retirement accounts, life insurance, some bank accounts and some assets (like a house or vehicle) that you jointly own with another person.
The most commonly gifted non-probate asset is an IRA or 401(k). This is because these accounts are always taxed (even for people below the estate tax threshold). Giving these accounts to charity keeps your heirs from having to pay unexpected taxes.
Yes! Even if you have a will in place you still need to designate beneficiaries for your non-probate assets.
No. Legacy Commitments can take many forms and are not defined by their size. Some people choose to leave a percentage of their estate or designate a portion of a particular asset. What matters is thoughtfully considering the people and purposes you want your estate plan to reflect.
No. You can usually make these easily and at no cost to you.
Yes. You are always free to revise or update your estate plans.
Yes! Knowing in advance about your intentions is quite helpful to our staff, but you are always welcome to not share your gift.
We’ve partnered with FreeWill to help you make a will or trust at no cost to you. You can use this to complete your plans, or you may choose to use the same tools to get your affairs in order before visiting an attorney (who is likely to have a fee associated with finalizing your plans).
Yes. You are always free to revise or update your estate plans.
Yes! FreeWill will never share your personal information without your permission.
Have questions about Legacy Commitments?
If you are considering including Williamsburg Community Chapel in your estate plans or simply want to understand the options available, we’re available to help. Conversations are confidential and come with no expectation or obligation.
Already made a Legacy Commitment? You may let us know here.