When developing an estate plan, many of our clients get so consumed by the “what” of that plan that they can miss the bigger picture.
Who gets what in terms of assets? What are the strategies to mitigate taxes? What causes or charities will benefit from their success?
Those are worthy and important questions. However, an estate plan is more than just a document that divvies up assets. It also tells a story. It’s in many ways the tangible expression of one’s desired legacy. But without sharing the “why” behind an estate plan, the reasons behind it can often be clouded. That can cause hurt feelings and dysfunction among heirs and beneficiaries who may not understand why your client made the decisions she did.
