What a Book About Letters Taught Me About Legacy
If you've spent any time with me, you probably know that two things are true: I’m an estate planning attorney and a devoted bibliophile. I almost always have a book nearby, and I’ve long believed that stories do more than entertain us—they help us understand who we are, where we come from, and what we hope to pass on to the people we love.
Earlier this year I finished The Correspondent, an epistolary novel about a retired attorney living in Maryland whose life unfolds through the letters she writes and receives over the years. Through those written conversations, we learn about the joys, regrets, losses, and unexpected connections that have shaped her life. What begins as a collection of letters becomes something much deeper—a portrait of a person, a lifetime, and the relationships that define us.
Letters have a way of preserving something that no legal document ever can. They capture personality, wisdom, humor, forgiveness, gratitude, and love. They become a conversation that continues even when we're no longer here to have it.
Your Estate Plan Protects More Than Your Assets
When people think about estate planning, they often picture wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives. Those documents are incredibly important—they provide clarity, appoint trusted decision-makers, protect loved ones, and help ensure your wishes are honored.
But after years of helping families, I've learned something else. The things people cherish most aren't always the things with the greatest financial value. Sometimes it's a handwritten recipe tucked inside a cookbook or a note written inside the cover of a favorite Bible. Maybe it’s a letter explaining why certain family traditions mattered or even a few paragraphs telling your children how proud you are of them. Those are the things that become priceless.
The Legacy No One Can Draft for You
As your attorney, I can draft a trust that protects your children. I can prepare powers of attorney that help your family during incapacity. I can make probate easier—or help your loved ones avoid it altogether. But there is one document I can't write for you.
Only you can tell your story. Only you can share the lessons you've learned, the mistakes that shaped you, the values that guided your decisions, or the dreams you have for future generations. Those words become part of your legacy.
Start Small
The good news is that your letter doesn't have to be perfect. It doesn't have to be long, and it doesn't even have to be shared right away. You can start with one page, telling your partner what you admire about them. Or share a memory you hope your children never forget. Years from now, those words may become one of the greatest gifts you ever leave.
Estate Planning Is About People
One of the reasons I love estate planning is that, despite the legal documents, this work is ultimately about people. It's about protecting the relationships that matter most and making difficult seasons a little easier for the people you love.
If it's been several years since you've reviewed your estate plan—or if you've never created one—I'd love to help. Whether you're welcoming a new child or grandchild, approaching retirement, caring for aging parents, purchasing a home, or simply realizing life has changed, your estate plan should reflect the life you're living today.
Ready to get started? Schedule a complimentary consultation with us today! I’d also love to hear what you’re reading this season. Great books inspire meaningful conversations—and sometimes, they inspire us to think more intentionally about the legacy we leave.
This article is a service of Cedar Counsel. We don’t just draft documents; we ensure you make informed and empowered decisions about life and death, for yourself and the people you love.