Legacy Planning, it’s not about Death. It’s about Living your Best Life

For most, the holiday season can bring our everyday scurries to new heightened levels.  Things like parties everywhere, parking spots nowhere, creating the perfect holiday card and baking the best cookie can create a feeling of overwhelm and chaos for anyone. In such a state, we become reactive to our situations rather than present and purposeful. We forget what the holidays are really about, namely giving, loving, sharing, and, of course, sparkling.
 
These latter values are the core of your legacy plan.  Unlike your estate plan which focuses on protecting your assets, legacy planning is centered around who you are and your life’s purpose. It’s about striving to live your best life so that you leave behind not just your stuff, but your morals, your values and the success that you accomplished.  A legacy plan is built, it is a lifelong process and it is for imperative for everyone.
 
So as you go about this holiday season, remember as you are working your way through the holiday maze, this is your life’s work.  Act with intention, create traditions, empower children and future generations to be their most amazing selves — and obvi, leave sparkle wherever you go.  

 

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$700 Million, Poof! The Price of Not Tracking Your Stuff
$700 Million, Poof! The Price of Not Tracking Your Stuff

James Howells tossed a hard drive with 8,000 Bitcoin—yep, that’s around $700 million straight into the trash.  And he’s been trying to dig it out (literally) for over a decade.

Moral of the story? If your digital assets aren’t part of your estate plan, you might as well be throwing them out too. Let’s make sure your legacy doesn’t end up in a landfill.

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Gene Hackman’s Estate Mess: A Hollywood-Sized Reminder to Get Your Plan Together
Gene Hackman’s Estate Mess: A Hollywood-Sized Reminder to Get Your Plan Together

Gene Hackman’s $80 million estate? Yep, stuck in legal limbo—because his wife passed just days before he did. It’s a high-profile reminder of what happens when estate plans aren’t designed to handle life’s unexpected timing.

Think it couldn’t happen to your family? Think again. Let’s make sure your legacy actually lands where you want it.

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Trust Me: If You’re Not Reviewing Your Trust, You’re Risking a Hot Mess
Trust Me: If You’re Not Reviewing Your Trust, You’re Risking a Hot Mess

A lot of folks think once they've got a trust, they're good to go—file it, forget it, done. But let me give it to you straight: a “set-it-and-forget-it” estate plan is a recipe for disaster. Just like you wouldn’t skip your annual physical (or at least not proudly admit it), your trust needs regular check-ins to make sure it’ll actually work when your loved ones need it most.

Life changes. Laws change. You change. If your trust hasn’t kept up, it might flop when it matters most—and that’s not the legacy you want to leave behind.

Read more and make sure your plan isn’t collecting dust while collecting risks.

Beyond FDIC Limits: How to Protect Your Excess Cash
Beyond FDIC Limits: How to Protect Your Excess Cash

Your cash stash might be bigger than the FDIC can handle—and that’s a problem. If your bank goes belly-up, anything above those insurance limits could be left hanging. Let’s talk about how to bulletproof your hard-earned money and make sure every dollar is protected. Your legacy deserves more than crossing your fingers. Read more!

No Rings, No Problem? Not Quite—Why Unmarried Couples Need a Rock-Solid Estate Plan to Protect Their People and Their Stuff
No Rings, No Problem? Not Quite—Why Unmarried Couples Need a Rock-Solid Estate Plan to Protect Their People and Their Stuff

No marriage license? No problem—except when it is. Unmarried couples don’t get the automatic legal perks that married folks do, which means without the right estate plan, your partner could be left out in the cold (and your kids could get caught in the middle). Let’s fix that. Learn how to lock down your assets and protect your people. Read more.

Vacation Ready? Make Sure Your Kids Are Legally Protected
Vacation Ready? Make Sure Your Kids Are Legally Protected

Spring Break is around the corner, and summer’s not far behind—hello, family vacations! But while you're busy packing swimsuits and sunscreen, have you thought about who would step in if something happened to you while traveling?

Yeah, I know—it’s not the fun part of trip planning, but it’s way more important than picking the perfect Airbnb. Let’s talk about how to make sure your kids are protected, no matter where life (or your travels) take you. Read more.

Estate Planning for Same-Sex Couples: Keeping the Law (and Your Legacy) on Your Side
Estate Planning for Same-Sex Couples: Keeping the Law (and Your Legacy) on Your Side

Let’s talk real talk, folks. With all the uncertainty around federal marriage protections, many same-sex couples are wondering—what happens if laws change? The truth is, while policies may shift, a solid estate plan ensures your family stays protected no matter what.

From securing parental rights to making sure your assets land where you want them (not where the courts decide), estate planning is your legal safety net. Because your love is valid—and your rights should be, too.

Read more and let’s lock in those protections.

Divorce & Estate Planning: What Shannen Doherty’s Story Can Teach Us
Divorce & Estate Planning: What Shannen Doherty’s Story Can Teach Us

Shannen Doherty’s passing last year was a heartbreaking reminder that timing is everything when it comes to estate planning—especially during a divorce. Her last-minute split didn’t just close a chapter; it likely saved her estate millions and spared her loved ones from years of messy courtroom drama.

Thinking, "That won’t happen to me?" Think again. Let’s talk about why updating your estate plan during major life changes isn’t just smart—it’s essential. Read more and protect what matters most.

The Hidden Headaches of Being an Estate Executor
The Hidden Headaches of Being an Estate Executor

Sure, being named as an executor sounds like an honor—until you realize it comes with a to-do list longer than a CVS receipt. Managing finances, handling court paperwork, keeping family drama in check? Yep, all on you. And let’s not forget the potential legal headaches if things go sideways.

Before you say yes to the role (or if you already have and are now wondering what did I just sign up for?!), let’s talk about what being an executor really means. Because trust me, it’s more than just handing out inheritances.

Read more and learn what you’re really in for.

The Valentine’s Gift That Truly Matters—Peace of Mind
The Valentine’s Gift That Truly Matters—Peace of Mind

Roses wilt. Chocolates disappear. But peace of mind? That’s forever.

This Valentine’s Day, skip the cliché gifts and give something truly meaningful—an estate plan that says, “I’ve got you.”

Protect your loved ones from court, conflict, and confusion.
Ensure your kids, assets, and wishes are covered—no guesswork, no stress.

Nothing says "I love you" like securing your family’s future. Read more!

Estate PlanningErica Endyke20WestLegalEstate Planning, legacy planning, lifestyle blog2 Comments