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David and Cheryl Cotney’s Legacy

For David Cotney, a financial services consultant and former Massachusetts Commissioner of Banks, and his wife, Cheryl, a local Realtor, planning for the future has always meant prioritizing their family. But as they recently updated their estate plans, they realized their legacy could extend even further—allowing them to make a lasting impact on a cause deeply personal to their lives: The Brookline Center for Community Mental Health.

The Cotneys’ connection to the Center spans years and stems from deep personal experience. Both of their daughters, now in their 20s, received care through The Brookline Center while growing up. Beyond the exceptional care their family received, David and Cheryl have seen the Center’s impact from every angle, actively participating in local advisory committees and serving on the Board of Directors.

“When it comes to mental health, The Brookline Center is the place we support because of that personal connection, proximity, and the great care they provided for our family,” says Cheryl. By including the Center in their estate plans, the Cotneys are ensuring that future generations of families can access that same vital, community-rooted care when they need it most.

Challenging the myths of estate planning

For many, the mere mention of wills and estate planning elicits anxiety. “People get overwhelmed because they think, ‘Oh, we’ve got to go to our attorney to make a legacy gift… it’s a big deal and it’s expensive,’ it causes stress—and it doesn’t have to be any of those things,” David says. It’s a misconception he held himself, until he and Cheryl sat down to update their own plans and found that leaving a bequest didn’t require the complicated, costly rewrite they’d assumed.

The mechanics, David points out, can be strikingly simple. “Many people have a brokerage account or similar, and you can go online to the beneficiary section and change it anytime,” he explains. “If you want a small amount to go to a charity, you can just indicate, ‘1% goes to this charity,’ and it’s as easy as that. And if you change your mind tomorrow, you can change it again.”

David and Cheryl’s experience challenged some of the most common assumptions about legacy giving:

Myth: “I have to rewrite my will.”
Reality: Beneficiary designations on an IRA, 401(k), 403 (b), or investment account pass directly to the charity — outside your will entirely. You can make changes online without touching your existing estate documents or paying legal fees.

Myth: “I need to take care of my family after I’m gone.”
Reality: You don’t have to choose between taking care of your family and the causes you care about. A common approach is leaving the large majority of assets to children and dedicating a small share to your charity of choice.

Myth: “Legacy gifts are only for the wealthy.”
Reality: Gifts of any size, even $1,000, or a small amount of a retirement account, can add up to lasting stability for organizations like The Brookline Center.

“It feels good knowing you’re making a difference”

When asked what she hopes her family’s gifts will support now and down the line, Cheryl points straight to the Center’s mission:

“My hope is that our gift—together with the generosity of others—helps improve access to quality mental health services, and supports The Brookline Center’s work in finding new, innovative ways to care for the community.”

“The end of life is an inevitability,” David says with a smile, “but [legacy giving] is an empowering way to take care of the people and causes you love beyond your lifetime.” Far from grim, he describes it as a source of peace of mind: “Leaving a bequest or naming a charity on an account is super easy, and it feels good knowing you’re making a difference that will last into the future.”

Interested in exploring your own legacy? Naming The Brookline Center as a beneficiary of a retirement or investment account can take just a few minutes. If you’ve already included the Center in your plans or would like to learn more, we’d be glad to hear from you. Please reach out anytime to Nancy Vineberg, Chief Development Officer, at nancyvineberg@brooklinecenter.org or 857-707-3500.