When you consider the terms “legacy” or “estate planning,” financial matters will probably come to mind. This is understandable, and it is very important to take the right steps to properly provide for your loved ones monetarily. At the same time, there is another aspect to consider.
Some things are more important than money, and this can sound a bit trite on the surface. Yes, we all have bills to pay, but dollars and cents come and go quite easily all things considered.
There are other commodities that you have earned that you and you alone can pass along to your loved ones, and these are one-of-a-kind gifts.
Family History
A lot of people are very interested in digging into their roots, and this is why ancestry websites are so very popular. Though the DNA testing has its place, there is no substitute for personal memories that been handed down from generation to generation.
As an elder, you are going to remember family members that your grandchildren, and even your children, have never met. You will invariably recall stories that you have been told about your ancestors, so you are in a truly unique position to pass along meaningful information to others.
If you take the time to record your family history, this can be a fantastic addition to your broader legacy plan. The history that you can remember can be recorded in writing, and an audio version would be another option. Plus, you can add photographs that can add another dimension to the gift.
Another facet that would fall under this umbrella is the passing along of family heirlooms. They are objects that tell historical tales in their own right, and these messages are very powerful.
When you are devising your legacy plan, you can take stock of the heirlooms that you have in your possession and determine the ideal caretaker for each respective item.
Personal Memoirs
The family history would be broad in scope, and while you are at it, you could choose to tighten the focus a bit. Your personal memoirs could be included, and when family members gain an understanding of your formative experiences, they may understand you better than they ever did before.
Ethical Will
Another document that could be included in this portion of your legacy plan is an ethical will. Since biblical times, people have been using these documents to share moral and spiritual values.
Over the years, people that are close to you have probably sought out your advice, and you will not always be around to give it. However, when you leave behind an ethical will, anyone that is interested will always be able to access your “rules to live by.”
Learn More About Legacy Planning
We have prepared a number of special reports that cover many different important elder law and estate planning topics. You can access any or all of these reports free of charge, and we have one that is specifically devoted to the subject of legacy planning. To check out all the titles, visit the following page: Free Estate Planning Reports.
Attend a Free Seminar!
You can learn a lot if you take advantage of all the written resources that we have on this website, and you can take your knowledge to another level if you attend one of our seminars. We conduct them in locations all over the area, so you should definitely be able to find a session that is convenient for you.
There is no admission charge, and all attendees are entitled to a very special premium. If you decide to make the next step after you absorb the information that we present, you can come into our office for an absolutely free initial consultation.
To see the dates, visit our seminar schedule page. Once you identify the session that you would like to attend, click on it and follow the simple instructions to register.
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