An Attitude of Gratitude
2020 has brought several things into focus – as much as there is lots that many of us would change about the year, the things that have gone right also seem amplified. To that end, two thoughts on gratitude. The first is personal: I’m so very grateful for the greater Charlotte community that has helped my one-woman law firm launch. Making the leap from an employee role to all-in-one role has been exciting and scary (often both at the same time), but I’m continually grateful I did so. Thank you to all clients and moral supporters.
Second, the season has led me to reflect on how estate planning intersects with gratitude, and the two seem almost implicitly linked. When you plan by including gifts in your estate plan (that you will never see given), you are at once being a careful steward of any gifts you have (no matter the size) while also being mindful about how you are transferring those assets to another generation – whether through individuals or organizations. If you’re planning, you care. You recognize you have something of value to share.
The kinds of gifts you can give by estate planning include traditional gifts like money, special jewelry or collections of personal significance, family heirlooms, pictures, etc. But don’t forget that you also provide the intangible gift of peace of mind. Peace of mind extends beyond executing a will or creating a trust. Completing a living will can provide a lot of direction in an otherwise potentially turbulent time. Giving direction regarding the disposition of your remains can bring loved ones closure in ways they were not anticipating but actually needed.
I heard a lovely story about a woman whose life was cut short by cancer. While she was living, she loved going to the lake. She gave instructions to her loved ones that underneath whatever clothes were chosen for her burial, she wanted to be wearing a bathing suit. While her passing came too soon, her loved ones knew that amid the formality of her funeral, she was also able to have a little fun and whimsy in her passing.
Yes, estate planning is usually a “need to check this off the adulting list” kind of item. As 2020 comes to a close, consider it as an act of gratitude and a way of making a gift of any kind to your loved ones. Then, down the road, they will also have something to be grateful for and pass on to their loved ones. Through thoughtful estate planning, you show that you are grateful for what you have (whether tangible or intangible) and your loved ones will be grateful for your forethought. As always, let me know if I can help.
