Most people think of estate planning as a pile of legal documents – like their will, powers of attorney and other testamentary documents.
However, estate planning can also be deeply emotional. Part of your legacy for the next generation is your values, stories and life lessons. That’s why you may want to leave behind a legacy letter (which is also called an “ethical will”) for your descendants.
A legacy letter is a final, personal communication to your beneficiaries and heirs that expresses your beliefs, experiences and hopes for the future – even though it is not a future you will be here to see.
What should you write about?
The hardest part of writing anything is sometimes just getting started. The blank page (or screen) can be intimidating. Here are some prompts that may help:
- What are the most important life lessons you have learned?
- What values have guided you during your life?
- What are your hopes and dreams for your loved ones’ future?
- What are you most grateful for in your life?
- What family history do you want to make sure future generations know?
- Was there a defining moment in your life that shaped who you were?
- Are there any unresolved issues or regrets you want to talk about?
- Do you want to offer forgiveness to someone (or ask for it)?
- What are your secrets to longevity, life, love or general happiness?
Including a legacy letter in your estate plan can have a profound effect on those you love, offering them both guidance and comfort – as well as a way to connect with your and the past long after you are gone.