More Than Just Your Money
Leaving A Real Legacy That Captures Who You Are and What Is Important to You
How We Guide You to Leave a Legacy That’s About Much More Than Just Your Money
After you are gone, your loved ones will miss you deeply. They will long for your words of counsel and concern. Hearing your voice again would be a tremendous gift.
Through our unique legacy process, you can give your loved ones the most precious gift – a lasting expression of your love.
What could be more valuable?
At JMK Law we believe estate planning is not just about transferring your financial assets and personal belongings. It’s equally about capturing and transferring your valuable intangible gifts: who you are and what’s important to you – your values, insights, stories and experiences.
Let Me Tell You a Story
In 2008, my younger brother, Sean, unexpectantly died. He was a fit, vibrant young adult who suddenly became gravely ill and passed away after seven days in a medically induced coma. The devastation felt by my family and our community was immense. Then, a few weeks later, my mom called me and instead of “Hi” – she simply said “Listen.” The words I heard next, “Hi guys, I’m Sean,” made me fall to my knees with tears in my eyes. I never thought I’d get to hear my brother’s voice again or his deep thoughts about life he had become known for in recent months. My mind was confused where this was coming from, but my heart was so full.
Unbeknownst to my family, Sean had recorded his thoughts about life and faith for a youth group event that he wouldn’t be able to travel to in person. The video was meant to be shown to a few hundred teens, but it ended up being the best gift my family has ever received. Of course, we have family videos from Christmas morning or sporting events over the years as our Dad loves to chronicle our lives, but those videos are packed away in various storage bins and, often, what is out of sight is out of mind. And none of the videos were of Sean speaking directly to the camera about what issues were important to him or the wisdom that he wanted to impart on others based on his unique life experiences. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gone back to that video when I’ve been missing my brother a little bit extra. Sean died before I was married and before my children were born; so this legacy video is a wonderful way to allow my husband and children to get to know their Uncle Sean.
Here’s One More Story
Several years ago, the dad of one of my colleagues died. He had left her a voicemail message on her cell phone and for years after he died, she would listen to it when she missed him. Until the very bad day when the voicemail was accidentally deleted.
How she wishes she still had that voicemail message.
Or even better, that she had a recording of her dad telling her what he loved about her, what his hopes for her were, what life lessons were most important to him, what values he most wanted for her, or even just saying her nickname that he had always called her.
You Could Make A Recording, But Who Has Time?
When I was first in practice, I would tell my clients to record a message for their loved ones and put it in a safe place or simply write notes to their children letting them know how they felt about them.
But so few people ever actually did it.
We just get so caught up with the day to day of our lives that focusing in on leaving a legacy seems to take a back seat.
We Help You Capture These Precious Moments
We realized we would have to build this into our planning process and not make it just another thing you’ll get done someday.
That’s why at JMK Law we make it part of our planning for every client to help you capture and pass on more than just your money: your intellectual, spiritual and human assets, who you are and what’s important to you.
What Would It Be Worth?
Can you picture someone who has passed away, someone you love and miss deeply? Can you recall a conversation you had with them? Can you remember the sound of their voice and what they told you? What if you could hear their voice again? What if they could speak to you—heart to heart—and share their wisdom and advice?
What would it be worth to you to hear their words one more time?
What is it worth to you to know that they’ll always know exactly how much you love them? It’s worth a lot to us and we are honored to be able to provide you and your family with this gift.
For more information about how we help you pass on your most valuable assets—your values, insights, stories and experiences—to your loved ones, or about our resources for leaving your family with a true legacy, please contact us to schedule your Family Wealth Planning Session and we’ll discuss together exactly how we build this into our planning process designed exactly for people like you who want to leave a real legacy.