Creating a Legacy of Generosity: Our Estate Planning Conversation with Union Gospel Mission of Salem

Planning Today to Create a Lasting Legacy of Giving Tomorrow

At Collier Law, community service is more than a value we list on our website. It is part of how we live out our work every day. Recently, attorneys Ryan Collier and Jenna Green had the privilege of hosting a seminar and open conversation at the Union Gospel Mission of Salem headquarters. They met with the UGM community to talk about something close to our hearts: how estate planning can help anyone create a lasting legacy that gives back, both during their lifetime and long after they are gone.

If you are looking for an estate planning attorney in Salem OR that your family can turn to for guidance on asset protection and understanding family law, then contact Collier Law, your legal experts, today.

We were honored to be joined by UGM’s Community Outreach Director Mark Hunter and Executive Director Craig Smith. Their presence underscored the deepening partnership between our firm and this vital Salem ministry that has served men, women, and children facing homelessness for more than 70 years.

Union Gospel Mission of Salem meets immediate needs with nourishing meals and safe shelter, then walks alongside people toward recovery, employment, stable housing, and restored dignity. Their mission is rooted in hope and practical care for our neighbors right here in Marion County and the Willamette Valley. Spending time with their community reminded us why local partnerships matter.

Estate Planning as a Tool for Giving Back

The heart of our conversation centered on charitable giving through estate planning. Many people think of Wills and trusts as tools only for dividing assets among family. In reality, these same tools can become powerful ways to support the causes you care about most, whether that is Union Gospel Mission, other local charities, or broader efforts that help those less fortunate.

We talked about creating a legacy that continues to help others for generations. When you include charitable gifts in your estate plan, you set an honorable example for those who come after you. You show that generosity is not limited to what we do while we are alive. Generosity can outlive us and keep making a difference in the community we love.

At Collier Law, we believe our professional skills can serve something larger than ourselves. Helping families protect what they have built while also supporting organizations like UGM is one practical way we put that belief into action.

Questions from the Room

Participants raised important questions that many Salem-area families share:

• Trust versus Will—which is the better path for someone who wants to include charitable gifts?
• What are the different ways to give to UGM or other worthy causes through an estate plan?
• How can Oregon’s estate tax rules affect the legacy you hope to leave, and what planning tools help preserve more of what you intend for both family and charity?
• How can everyday people (not just the wealthy) use simple estate planning tools to make a meaningful impact?

We walked through these topics candidly, focusing on practical options that work for people in different life situations. The goal was never to give one-size-fits-all advice, but to open the door to thoughtful conversations about what matters most to each person.

Why This Matters for Our Community

Oregon’s estate tax landscape can feel complicated. Without planning, more of a family’s hard-earned assets may go to taxes rather than to loved ones or the causes they care about. Thoughtful estate planning helps you keep more control. It lets you decide how much goes to family, how much supports organizations like Union Gospel Mission, and how your example of generosity can inspire the next generation.

For those connected to UGM, these conversations take on special meaning. Many people who have experienced hardship themselves develop a deep desire to help others avoid the same struggles. Estate planning gives them a structured way to turn that desire into an enduring legacy.

Looking Ahead Together

This seminar was one more step in strengthening our relationship with Union Gospel Mission of Salem. We are grateful for the warm welcome at their headquarters and for the honest questions shared by everyone who attended. Partnerships like this remind us that good estate planning is not only about documents. It is about people, values, and the kind of community we want to leave behind.

If you or someone you care about is thinking about how to include charitable giving in an estate plan—or simply wants to understand the options available in Oregon—we would be honored to listen. At Collier Law, we offer complimentary consultations so we can understand your goals first and then explore practical solutions that fit your family and your values.

You can also learn more about the life-changing work happening at Union Gospel Mission of Salem by visiting ugmsalem.org. Supporting their mission in your estate plan helps restore hope right here in our hometown.

Thank you to Mark, Craig, and the entire UGM community for the opportunity to serve alongside you. We look forward to our next conversation in October. Together, we can help more families create legacies that continue to care for those who need it most.

If you need an experienced estate planning attorney in Salem OR that you can trust to help turn your family’s legacy into a lasting plan and for asset protection, then contact Collier Law today for legal process and legal advice.