legacy planning
I’ve recently come across several articles about legacy planning; a topic related to my discussion of ethical wills here and here. According to this post from the ThirdAge Blog, legacy plans can include practical guides like “a master list of what and where everything is and who to contact.” They can also inform our estate’s executor of our “last wishes concerning organ donations and funeral celebrations” and how we “want smaller personal articles distributed and to whom and the stories behind them.” Legacy plans can pass along our personal and family stories, conveyed in writing and/or through photos. Finally, the plans can contain our “personal legacy statement.” Akin to an ethical will, this statement is a vehicle for sharing who and what we value most in our lives and why. I think this type of planning would nicely augment the trust and estate services lawyers traditionally offer. By educating ourselves and our clients about legacy planning, we acknowledge the importance of expressing personal tales and heart-felt wishes and thoughts to loved ones while we still have the chance. If you’d like to learn more about the legacy planning process, you can take a look at this book. There are also online resources here and here. The latter Web site includes links to help locate professional personal historians near you.
