While a strong financial plan is an essential part of managing your future, and the legacy you leave behind, there also exists a strong and human aspect that must be accounted for, to ensure that this plan is not only a legal or financial tool, but a true reflection of who you are, what you stand for and the values that you hold most dear. Many people want to create a plan that is both practical and personal, by crafting a framework that prioritizes their loved ones and reflects their values and passions. This article explores how you can create a values-based estate plan that aligns with your beliefs, and also helps you to take charge of your story so those that you want to know, can learn about it with a transparency and clarity that they would otherwise not have, while highlighting how Wills.com can help you express your values and craft a legacy that will be honored far into the future.
Moving Beyond Monetary Legacy
Traditional estate planning often focuses primarily on the transfer of assets and resources, often overlooking the important role of core values in this process, and in your ability to create or maintain your vision for future workflows. This process should be more than simply assigning funds or property but also a way to have your personal story heard and shared across time. A values based approach, can help you to also consider questions such as:
- What are your most important values?
- What lessons have you learned that you want to share with your loved ones?
- What causes do you believe in and want to support through your legacy?
- How do your actions reflect the values you hold so dear?
Considering these key factors in how you approach your overall estate planning, helps you take a step beyond merely transferring wealth, and allows you to be more transparent and intentional on the true meaning behind why these choices are made.
Aligning Your Estate Plan With Your Core Values
Creating a values-based estate plan ensures that your legacy reflects more than just your financial assets. It allows you to pass on your beliefs, experiences, and wisdom to future generations. Here are some actionable steps:
1. Reflect on Your Values
Take the time to consider what truly matters to you. Do you value family, education, community, creativity, or the pursuit of justice? A lot of that reflection must incorporate the things you value most, which must be aligned with all future estate planning goals.
2. Create an Ethical Will
An ethical will, often in the form of a letter or a recorded video message, allows you to express your personal values and beliefs to your loved ones. This can include anecdotes about your life, personal stories, values, guidance, and anything else that you want to pass down to the next generation. Wills.com can help you easily add these video messages, to make sure that your loved ones can hear your voice, while also having access to your legal plans too.
3. Include Charitable Bequests
Designate a charity or nonprofit organization that aligns with your values. You can choose to make a specific, general, or residuary bequest, and also ensure that your donations will help support causes that you care about.
4. Prioritize People, Not Just Possessions
While finances are a crucial part of estate planning, you should also clearly specify who you want to receive your personal possessions and assets that have special meaning or significance. A special item can bring joy, comfort, or even more meaning to the life of your loved ones when these items have special instructions, or stories attached.
5. Communicate with Your Family
Have honest and open conversations with your family about your wishes, and make sure they understand the reasons behind your decisions. Transparency during this process will help you create a plan that is meaningful and reflects the values of everyone involved. You should encourage conversation, questions and also any new approaches that could better support the overall outcome for your long term goals.
Wills.com: Supporting Your Values-Based Estate Plan
Wills.com is designed to help you create an estate plan that is both comprehensive and meaningful. Here’s how our platform can support a values-based approach:
- State-Specific Legal Documents: Create wills and trusts that are legally binding in your state, while also making sure that they clearly reflect your personal goals and preferences.
- Secure Document Storage (Vaultly™): Protect your valuable documents with our secure online Vaultly™ service, so all files can be accessed by those you choose.
- Remote Online Notarization (RON): Notarize your documents online with our secure and efficient RON services.
- Automated Delivery via Mobile App: Set up automated delivery of your documents and other important messages, using our mobile app with customizable delivery protocols that you design.
- Video Instructions: Record personal video messages that share your values and beliefs, that are to be delivered with your other vital documentation, for a more human focused and heart centered message.
- Charitable Giving Options: Wills.com provides the tools that you need to include bequests to charitable organizations that align with your values and are an important part of your community.
- Wills Treasury™ for Secure Digital Fund Transfer: Use Wills Treasury™ to set aside funds for your family and also to specify the rules for distribution, while also supporting any charitable organization you choose to connect with.
Your Legacy: More Than Just Numbers
Your legacy extends far beyond the numbers in your bank account. It’s about the values you embody, the experiences you share, and the wisdom you impart to your loved ones. By taking a values-based approach to estate planning, you can create a legacy that is meaningful, purpose-driven and authentic to who you are. Wills.com is here to help you build an estate plan that not only protects your assets but also ensures that your core values will continue to make a difference in the world. Start creating your unique legacy with clear values, actionable intention and with complete control of the outcome and your path to achieve all that has purpose and meaning to your heart.
Disclaimer: This article is not legal or financial advice. If you want legal advice, you should consult with a lawyer. If you want financial advice, you should consult with a financial advisor.