When it comes to estate planning, it is relatively easy to pass on your financial assets. What about who you are, your values and what is important to you? These are things that are often far more valuable than any amount of financial wealth you could leave your loved ones. There is a way to pass on more than just your financial assets to your loved ones through your estate plan. You can pass on your intellectual, spiritual and emotional assets.
One way I assist clients with capturing their intangible wealth and passing it on is through a recorded conversation about their life lessons, feelings, hopes and values.
Once my clients have executed their estate planning documents, I do not just send them on their way. I invite them to come back for an informal conversation that I record and then burn onto a CD for them. During that conversation, we cover topics ranging from my clients feelings about their kids, the meaning of success, cultural heritage, lessons learned during life, tips to loved ones on the management of money, family rituals, guidance to guardians for minor children and many other topics.
Here are a couple of sample questions asked during such an interview with parents of young children:
What are your wishes on your children’s involvement in a spiritual or religious tradition?
Tell me about each of your children and what makes you proud to be their parent?
Your estate plan can and should reflect your values. Your wealth consists of far more than just the assets you own. The wisdom you have gained over a lifetime of experience is part of your wealth. By focusing on what is important to you rather than just the mechanics of protecting your estate from probate and estate taxes, your plan will become far more meaningful to you and your children.
For more information about Lisa S. Golshani’s services, call 661-362-0770.