1.
YOUR LIFE IS YOUR LEGACY. It’s about who you are. What you stand for. Where
you came from. Your beliefs. Your wishes. Are you prepared to pass it on? Your
life is inspired and shaped by special experiences, memories, people, places, and
things. Would you like those things to continue to have meaning to your loved
ones? Legacy planning is more about personal and practical matters—not
financial ones. Planning your legacy is an emotional process, but it’s also highly
practical and has many immediate and future benefits.
IMMEDIATE BENEFITS FUTURE BENEFITS
1. Provide peace of mind knowing that you have taken 1. Influence the lives of your children and grandchildren
necessary measures to protect and honor your loved by passing on suggestions about their upbringing, your
ones. values and life lessons.
2. Inspire you to establish a new set of priorities in your 2. Provide your loved ones with the opportunity to grieve
life. rather than be burdened by the troubles that often
3. Provide the excuse you have been waiting for to arise in the aftermath of death.
initiate the process of acting on your life goals 3. Ensure practical instructions about pet care and
4. Remind you of all the things you are grateful for. household maintenance are known.
5. Clarify what is most important in your life. 4. Relieve some of the administrative burden by
6. Prompt you to finally get around to updating your will recording the location of critical documents (like your
and assuring you have the proper amount of life health care proxy, will, deeds, insurance policies, tax
insurance. returns, and account statements).
7. Establish a foundation of knowledge that will allow you 5. Let your wishes be known so your survivors will make
to develop a more meaningful financial and estate better, more informed decisions—decisions that
plan. remain faithful to who you are and what you desire.
8. Provide a good reason to reconnect with loved ones at 6. Enable you to easily plan and record answers to
a deeper level. difficult questions (such as funeral arrangements)
9. Help you determine whether or not your most while you’re thinking clearly— not when an illness or
valuable resources (time, talent and money) are health scare arises and emotions get in the way.
properly aligned with your needs, wants and wishes. 7. Prevent family disputes by making your wishes known
10. Inspire you to begin the pursuit of self‐gratification and – so you’re leaving a legacy of fond memories, not
live a life of significance. problems.
8. Make sure your family traditions and values continue
“Putting together a plan not only helps your survivors, it's to be preserved for generations.
also a great chance to remind yourself of your values and 9. Allow you to leave caring messages after you’re gone
priorities. These days, we're so busy that it's easy to put it off, reaffirming your love, sharing memories, and relishing
and this process is a great opportunity to do it properly.”
milestones of your life together.
― Jean Chatzky, financial editor of NBC's "Today" show, host for
10. Inspire your survivors to plan their legacy, so they too
"Oprah & Friends" and well respected author and columnist. can positively impact future generations.