How to Preserve Your True Legacy for Future Generations

When you think about a loved one who has passed away, you probably don’t give much thought to the material things they’ve left you. Maybe you have a piece of their clothing that you sometimes hold close to your heart or a favorite item of theirs displayed proudly on a shelf. But what you value most about that object likely isn’t its monetary worth but the memories it evokes of your loved one and the time you spent together. You wish you could still hear from them, learn from them, and share memories with them.

As a trusted legal advisor, we know the value of planning for what happens to your financial assets. But we also know that there is something even more valuable to pass on to your loved ones than money – your stories, wisdom, insights, and values. And while we might not be able to pause time, there are things we can do to preserve the precious memories of the people we love.

That’s why we offer each of our clients the opportunity to participate in a Legacy Interview - a unique service designed to help preserve their wisdom for future generations. The Legacy Interview is built into all of our plans, and it’s an opportunity to share your story and your love with the ones you care about most.

What to Expect During Your Legacy Interview

Legacy Interviews are a key part of our Life & Legacy Planning process. In fact, most of our clients tell us that the Legacy Interview was their favorite part of the process.

During your Legacy Interview, we’ll ask you a series of helpful questions (that we provide to you in advance). Or, you can talk freely about whatever you’d like to share with your loved ones.

We’ll record your interview on video, either in-person or remotely, depending on your preference. After the interview is completed, we’ll provide you with a digital recording that can be shared with your family members or kept with your estate planning materials as a special memento of your story and your love for your family.

We’ve built this into all of our plans because we find that while everyone says they intend to document stories and write letters to their loved one’s, very few people ever actually get around to it.

Helping You Live Your Legacy

Besides preserving a message for your loved ones, the Legacy Interview is a great time to reconnect with the moments and memories from your life that you might have otherwise forgotten. In today’s hectic world, it can be hard to live in the moment, but by taking a little time to reflect on where your life has taken you, you’ll remember all that you’ve accomplished and all that you want to share with your loved ones, not just in your Legacy Interview, but every day. 

Even after the interview is finished, you’ll likely live your life with more intention and awareness of how you want to pass on your values, insights, stories, and experiences in your day-to-day life. And you can feel at ease knowing that no matter what the future holds, your loved ones will always have a video of you sharing your stories, your hopes, your wisdom, and your love with them.

The Importance of Life & Legacy Planning

The Legacy Interview is a wonderful tool, and we offer it as a complimentary service to all of our estate planning clients, young and old. It's part of our comprehensive Life & Legacy Planning process, which goes beyond creating documents and takes a holistic approach to planning for a life you love and a legacy your loved ones will cherish forever.

At the core of Life & Legacy Planning is the understanding that your family's most precious wealth is not money, but the memories you make, the values you instill, and the lessons you pass down. By planning for your life and legacy, you can ensure that your family's wealth is preserved and protected for generations to come.

If you want to pass on more than money to the ones you love and leave them with a gift that they will treasure for generations, make an appointment today. Because the most authentic, valuable, and true legacy you will leave is you.

This article is a service of Cedar Counsel. We don’t just draft documents; we ensure you make informed and empowered decisions about life and death, for yourself and the people you love.