As Wills Month approaches this September, we are shining a light on the professional advisors who help guide people through some of life’s most important decisions, and the legacy those choices can leave behind.

Across Taranaki, a dedicated network of professional advisors, including lawyers, accountants, financial planners and investment specialists, work closely with clients and the Taranaki Foundation throughout the year. These trusted professionals are often the first people individuals turn to when thinking about their Will or estate planning. They help ensure charitable conversations are approachable, client-led, and grounded in what matters most to each individual or whānau.

One of those trusted professional advisors is Connect Legal Taranaki, a long-standing Taranaki law firm (formerly Billings Lawyers and RMY Legal) that has championed the power of giving for decades. With a strong belief in community and the long-term impact of philanthropy, Connect Legal Taranaki has helped clients think about how their legacy can continue to make a difference well into the future.

At a recent event for the Taranaki Foundation’s professional advisor network, Tim Coleman, a director from Connect Legal shared what drives their approach.

“We speak from the heart,” Tim said.  “It’s about having genuine, values-based conversations with clients.”

Tim Coleman, Director at Connect Legal Taranaki

One of the biggest influences on Tim’s thinking came over a decade ago at the Foundation’s launch event, when he heard philanthropist Sir Stephen Tindall speak about a simple yet powerful model: leaving 90 percent of your estate to your family, and 10 percent to charity. The idea was that while many families may not be in a position to give generously now, they could consider giving 10 percent of their estate in the future.

“It was a lightbulb moment for me,” Tim recalls. “It struck a balance that made sense, especially here in Taranaki, where we value looking after our own. The 10 percent model gives people a way to give back to the region they love, without compromising adequately providing for family. And you don’t need to be wealthy to do it.”

That philosophy has become part of Connect Legal’s DNA, not only in how they support clients, but also in how they mentor their own team.

“It’s not just about having these conversations with clients,” says Tim.
“It’s about passing that mindset on to the next generation of legal professionals and encouraging them to see giving back to the community as part of the job.”

Connect Legal has walked this talk for decades. A meaningful conversation with Noel (Bill) Spence helped spark the creation of the Dot and Bill Spence Fund. Noel was exploring how best to leave a legacy that honoured his wife, Dot, and together with the Foundation, established a fund to support others in Taranaki who, like them, might need a hand up in life.

Dot (Dorothy) and Bill (Noel) George Spence

The firm also established its own Endowment Fund early on, with its annual contributions building the Endowment Fund (while still enabling annual community giving), seeing the fund steadily grow, reaching $50,000 last year.  Connect Legal’s impact continues to ripple quietly through the region.

As Tim puts it, one of the things he values most about working with the Taranaki Foundation is the flexibility it gives clients. “It’s not one-size-fits-all. It’s about what the client cares about and how they want to make a difference as part of their legacy.”

Professional advisors play an important role in enabling generosity across our region; not just through their expertise, but because they genuinely care about the people, the causes, and the future of Taranaki. Many wear multiple hats; they volunteer, serve on boards, coach teams, and quietly give their time in all sorts of ways. Whether they’re guiding someone through their first Will or helping shape a long-term giving plan, their trusted support makes a lasting difference.

This September, we are inviting more local people to explore the idea of leaving a gift in their Will, big or small, to a cause they care about.  If you would like to explore how your legacy could live on in Taranaki, a conversation with a local professional advisor is a great place to start.

For more information on how we work with professional advisors, visit: Advisors – Taranaki Foundation

 

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Below are just some of the professional advisors in Taranaki we’re proud to work alongside.