Tully Rinckey helps Make-A-Wish secure $106,600 Bequest; Full-service law firm donating over $25,000 in legal services

Almost four years after an elderly Rensselaer County man died, his wish to bring joy to children with life-threatening medical conditions is finally coming true, thanks to donated legal services that Tully Rinckey PLLC provided to Make-A-Wish Northeast New York. The full-service law firm devoted over $25,000 in free "pro bono" legal services to the nonprofit organization to help it secure a $106,600 bequest that had been challenged. With the chapter's average wish costing approximately $10,000, the bequest could fund up to 10 wishes, plus two additional wishes covered by the savings in legal fees. Tully Rinckey PLLC partner Jennifer Corcoran, who had previously been a long-time board member of the local Make-A-Wish chapter, said that some wishes have already been fulfilled because of this new funding and more will be granted in the coming months. "Thanks to the donor's generosity, and Tully Rinckey PLLC's donated legal services, Make-A-Wish should be able to make about a dozen wishes come true for children with life-threatening medical conditions. That should provide Make-A-Wish with a significant bounce at a time when many nonprofits are feeling the pinch of the recession," said Corcoran, who practices estate planning and family and matrimonial law. Corcoran successfully represented Make-A-Wish in a will contest proceeding in Rensselaer County Surrogate's Court, which offered the will for probate in June 2010 with the approval of the New York State attorney general's Charities Bureau. "Charitable bequests such as this are essential for nonprofits, especially when many organizations are still feeling the effects of the recession. This case highlights the importance of properly executing a last will and testament and ensuring your last wishes will be followed. I could not be happier for Make-A-Wish's good fortune and the joy it will bring to the lives of children," said Corcoran.