Your Legacy: How Do You Want to Be Remembered?
As Thomas Campbell, physicist and the author of My Big TOE, once said, “To live in the hearts we leave behind is not to die.” When we lose a loved one, we often have memories of special events and occasions, support they provided us, or specific qualities of that person we will never forget. An epitaph, by definition, is a brief phrase or sentence expressing a sentiment, often inscribed on a tombstone. Epitaph Day is a symbolic event dedicated to the contemplation and creation of our desired epitaphs. It is a gentle and meaningful reminder of the impermanent nature of life and the importance of having a plan for the future.
An Estate Plan Can Help You Be Remembered
In the rush and routine of daily life, it can be easy to postpone essential matters like estate planning. Although Epitaph Day has recently passed, now is a great opportunity for you to pause and consider the importance of ensuring that your wishes, the things you own, and your legacies are handled according to your preferences after your departure from this world. You may be surprised to learn more about the ways that you can incorporate your own desired epitaph into the planning process.
A Trust Can Help You Guide Your Loved Ones
While it is true that a trust is a valuable estate planning tool, it is much more than that. A trust can memorialize your values and aspirations for your loved ones. By incorporating provisions that incentivize your beneficiaries to pursue an education, hone a new craft, contribute to the community through volunteering, or even embark on entrepreneurial ventures, you can craft a legacy of encouragement, motivation, and support. Your trust can become a continuation of your presence, guiding your beneficiaries in ways that align with your wishes and vision for their future.
A Trust Keeps You Part of Memorable Experiences
For those who cherish experiences and the creation of lasting memories, it can be invaluable to incorporate clauses within your trust that allocate money specifically for ventures like traveling, exploring new places, or even family reunions and celebrations of important events. These provisions not only facilitate experiences but also foster a deeper connection, ensuring that your family bonds remain strong even in your absence.
A Trust Can Provide Monetary Support
Your estate plan is a powerful tool that can reflect your dedication and commitment to the well-being and success of your loved ones. If you have financially supported others in your lifetime, your estate plan offers you an opportunity to define and detail the nature and extent of your continued monetary support. Through meticulous planning, you can be remembered not just for the wealth you have accumulated but also for the love, care, and foresight indicated by your plan.
Now Is the Perfect Time to Start Planning
Epitaph Day creates an opportunity for you to proactively engage in the estate planning process and provide yourself with both peace of mind as well as clarity and ease for your loved ones in the future. This can help ensure that your desires, whether about asset distribution, funeral arrangements, or messages to your loved ones, are clearly articulated and legally secure.
Let us help you embark on the crucial journey of estate planning, ensuring that your legacy is honored and that your loved ones are spared unnecessary difficulties in honoring your life and wishes for the future.
