Dear Friend,

A recent article by Mark Kennedy in the Chattanooga Times Free Press shined a spotlight on Wiley Couch, a 73-year-old collector with a truly remarkable passion: a mint copy of every single issue of People magazine ever published. Stacked in boxes, these magazines take up an entire room in his home, representing a lifelong labor of love. For Couch, these magazines aren’t just paper—they are history, culture, and a testament to decades of commitment.

But what happens when time catches up with us, and we can no longer care for the things we’ve cherished? Wiley Couch’s story is a reminder that we all have possessions that mean the world to us, and the question isn’t just who will inherit them but whether they will be valued and preserved as they deserve. If you have a prized collection—whether it’s magazines, art, coins, or even vintage cars—your estate plan should protect not just your assets, but the legacy of your passions. That’s where Bascom Law comes in.

The Value of Collections Beyond Money

For collectors like Wiley Couch, the value of their treasures isn’t just monetary. It’s deeply personal, filled with memories, meaning, and pride. But without the right estate planning, those carefully curated collections can be mishandled, sold off, or worse, thrown away. Imagine spending decades building something only to have it end up in the hands of someone who doesn’t care or even know what it represents. That’s not the future any collector wants for their life’s work.

Couch’s People magazine collection might be one-of-a-kind, but his dilemma is common: Who will care for these items when we’re gone? It’s a question every collector faces. You’ve invested time, energy, and passion into building something unique—don’t let that effort go to waste because of poor planning. The right estate plan ensures your collections are appreciated, protected, and preserved in the way you intended.

Securing Your Collection’s Future

Estate planning is about honoring your legacy. If you have a valued collection, you need a plan so that your treasures are passed on to the right people or institutions. Whether it’s leaving your collection to a family member who shares your passion or donating it to a museum where it will be displayed and appreciated by future generations, Bascom Law can help you create a strategy that respects your wishes.

Consider this: You’ve spent a lifetime building your collection, carefully selecting each piece, nurturing it, and watching it grow. Why leave its future to chance? Without clear instructions, your collection could end up lost, neglected, or in the wrong hands. Museums, historical societies, or other collectors may be thrilled to preserve and showcase your life’s work, but only if you make your wishes known through a proper estate plan.

Creating an estate plan that protects your collection involves more than just listing items in a will. It requires a tailored approach that addresses the unique value of your collection so that it ends up where you want it. At Bascom Law , we specialize in helping collectors plan for the future, ensuring that your treasures are valued and preserved.

If you’ve invested time, energy, and passion into something you love, don’t let it fall into the wrong hands. Protect your collection—and your legacy—with a solid estate plan.

Call Bascom Law today at 770-285-5493 to schedule a consultation. Let’s talk about your collection, your wishes, and how we can help you secure the future of what matters most to you. Your treasures deserve to be cherished, and we’re here to make sure that happens.

Sincerely and Thanks,

Mike Bascom

Bascom Law, PC

Estate Planning & Elder Law