I would give anything to hear my grandmother's voice again. She was my biggest role model in life—the woman who showed me what strength looked like when she raised small children during World War II while my grandfather served in the Navy. She had stories about rationing, about community, about making do with what you had and finding joy even when the world felt uncertain.
But when she passed away while I was in law school, those stories went with her. Sure, I remember some of them, but I don't have her voice telling them. I don't have her laughter punctuating the funny parts or her gentle wisdom explaining what each lesson meant. That's a loss that still hits me every time I help families with their estate planning.
Every day, families lose stories like these. Recipes that made holidays special, traditions that defined who they were, lessons learned through decades of living—all vanishing when the storytellers are no longer here. But you don't have to let that happen in your family. You can capture these irreplaceable pieces of history and ensure they become part of something greater—a legacy that guides, inspires, and connects future generations.
That's why the Life & Legacy Interview has become my favorite part of what I do. It's absolutely the most meaningful service I offer, though I'll be honest—I wish more clients would take advantage of it. I think people get a little camera shy, but here's the thing: your family doesn't care if you stumble over words or if your hair isn't perfect. They care about preserving you.
Why Family Stories Are the Heart of Your Legacy
Stories aren't just entertainment at family gatherings. They're how families pass on values, resilience, and identity. Without intentional preservation, even the most powerful stories can vanish within a generation.
Think about what your great-grandmother's courage means to your family today. Or consider how your parents' love story shapes your understanding of commitment. These aren't just memories—they're blueprints. They show your children and grandchildren how to face adversity, how to love, and how to persevere.
When you preserve family stories, you're creating something that goes far beyond documents and bank accounts. You're building a framework of identity and values that will outlast you. You're showing future generations not just what your family owned, but who your family is.
Here's something many people miss: your family stories make your estate plan more meaningful. When your children understand why education mattered to their ancestors, they'll grasp why you've structured their inheritance to support learning. When they know how the family business was built from nothing, they'll respect the responsibility of carrying it forward.
Families that know their stories almost always have stronger bonds across generations. They aren't just connected by blood—they're connected by shared identity. That's the Belly Button Principle in action: everyone has their own unique experience, but when families share those experiences, they create something larger than the sum of their parts.
Preserving Stories for the Next Generations
The challenge isn't just capturing family stories—it's making sure future generations actually use and treasure them. Too many well-intentioned projects end up as forgotten albums on a shelf or digital files no one ever opens.
That's why I build the Life & Legacy Interview right into my planning process. This isn't a "someday project" that goes on your to-do list and never happens. When you work with me, we make it part of your plan because I know how important it is—and I know how easy it is to put off.
The Interview is absolutely my favorite thing to do. I get to sit with families and help them capture not just what happened, but what it meant. We record your stories, your values, and your wisdom so your loved ones can hear your voice, your laughter, and your lessons in your own words.
I offer the Interview in whatever format works for you—full video if you're comfortable with that, or audio-only if you prefer. Some people think they need to be camera-ready, but trust me, your family cares more about your words than your wardrobe. And here's something else: I'll do an Interview anytime. Even if it's been three years since we finished your estate plan, I'll gladly sit down with you to add new stories to the collection. Life keeps happening, after all, and new stories deserve to be preserved too.
Many clients tell me the Interview was the most meaningful part of our work together. They also tell me they never would have done it without my encouragement. That's exactly why I make it part of the process instead of leaving it to chance.
Questions That Unlock the Stories Your Family Needs
The best stories don't come from surface-level questions. They come from questions that dig into emotions, lessons, and values. I've learned that the right question can unlock memories and wisdom that might otherwise stay buried.
Instead of asking "What was your childhood like?" try: "What's a memory from your childhood that still guides your decisions today?"
Questions about relationships reveal powerful insights:
- "Tell me about someone who influenced your life without realizing it."
- "What did you learn about love from watching your parents?"
Don't be afraid to ask about hard times, but frame them in terms of growth:
- "Tell me about a time the family had to pull together to get through something."
- "What challenge made us stronger?"
Questions about values give future generations a moral compass:
- "What decision are you proud of, and what guided you in making it?"
- "If you could pass on three life lessons, what would they be?"
Sometimes the most revealing stories come from ordinary moments:
- "What did a typical Sunday look like in your home?"
- "What little traditions made your family feel like family?"
And always ask forward-looking questions:
- "What do you want future generations to remember about you?"
- "What should our family always stand for?"
The beauty of having me facilitate your Interview is that I'll ask these questions for you, capture everything, and make sure none of it gets lost. You don't have to worry about forgetting what to ask or missing the important moments.
Building a Legacy That Lasts Beyond Bank Accounts
When most people think of estate planning, they think of documents that move money and property from one generation to the next. But here's what I've learned from years of helping families: money without meaning rarely lasts.
The families who thrive across generations aren't necessarily the ones with the biggest bank accounts. They're the ones with clear values, shared identity, and stories that remind them of who they are.
That's why my Life & Legacy Planning goes beyond documents. I don't just make sure your assets transfer properly—I help ensure the why behind your plan gets passed on too. Your love, your wisdom, your family legacy—all of it becomes part of an anchor that your children and grandchildren can return to long after you're gone.
When your family knows not just what you left them but the principles you lived by, they understand why you structured things the way you did. They feel the love behind your decisions. And here's an added benefit: families that preserve their stories often avoid the conflicts that tear others apart. When everyone understands the family values and the reasoning behind decisions, there's less room for resentment and fighting.
But you can only create that kind of plan while the storytellers are still here. Every day you wait is another day a story might be lost forever.
Take Action to Preserve Your Family's Legacy Today
Your family's stories are irreplaceable. They won't preserve themselves. Without intention, they'll slip away with each passing generation—taking with them not just history, but wisdom, love, and connection.
I learned this lesson with my grandmother, and I don't want other families to experience that same loss. That's why I've made story preservation a cornerstone of how I serve families.
It all begins with a Life & Legacy Planning Session. During this comprehensive working session, you'll:
- Get clear on what would happen to your assets and loved ones if something happened to you today
- Create a complete inventory of everything you own, so nothing is ever lost or overlooked
- Explore your family dynamics, values, and goals to design a plan that reflects what matters most to you
- Choose the right plan that fits your values, goals, and budget
- Schedule your Life & Legacy Interview to capture the stories that make your family who they are
Most people walk out of their session feeling more organized, empowered, and relieved than they thought possible. They have peace of mind knowing they've done right by the people they love.
Are you ready to capture what matters most? Your family's stories are waiting to be preserved, but they need your action to make it happen.
Don't let another day pass without protecting both your assets and your legacy. Schedule your Life & Legacy Planning Session today, and let's make sure your family's most precious stories live on for generations to come.
This article reflects my commitment to helping families preserve not just their wealth, but their wisdom. As a Personal Family Lawyer, I don't just draft documents—I help you make informed decisions about life and legacy for yourself and the people you love. Every family deserves a plan that protects both their assets and their stories.
