Infuse The Spirit Of The Holidays Into Your Estate Plan

Originally posted to Forbes.com

The holiday season is a time for reflection, gratitude, and connection. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Bodhi Day, Winter Solstice, or simply enjoy the spirit of goodwill, this is a moment to pause and consider not just your celebrations, but your legacy. Your estate plan can and should be more than just a set of legal documents. They can address in a compassionate way a wide range of human conditions your heirs may face. Your estate plan and documents can embody your values, your story, and the light you bring to the world. It can create a legacy for future generations.

Estate Planning: Beyond the Technical

When you think about estate planning, you might imagine paperwork, trusts, and tax strategies. These are important, but your plan can and should be so much more. It’s your opportunity to share your hopes for your children, grandchildren, and generations yet to come (or charities, other family members, or whoever you wish to benefit). It can provide an opportunity to transmit your values, your traditions, and your vision for the future.

• Dynasty trusts and long-term planning should not be only about avoiding taxes (such as the generation skipping transfer tax) and preserving wealth. They should be about preserving your values, your traditions, and your vision for the future. Dynasty trusts are trusts that last as long as state law permits. Too many estate plans default to outright distributions instead of the protection afforded by trusts. Many trusts that are used are of limited duration, such as ending when the beneficiary reaches a specified age, like 30. That too is a mistake. Opt for long term dynastic trusts and better yet, infuse them with your values.
• Consider including instructions or personal (non-binding) letters to your trustees and beneficiaries, sharing what matters most to you and how you hope your legacy will be used.
• Think about how your estate plan can support not just your family’s financial future, but also their growth, independence, and generosity.

Bring Your Faith, Culture, and Values Into Your life and Your Estate Plan

The holidays are filled with greetings and traditions from every faith and culture. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Bodhi Day, Winter Solstice, or another tradition, each brings its own light and meaning. Even if you don’t observe a religious holiday, the season is a chance to reflect on kindness, compassion, and hope.

• Don’t be afraid to express your unique traditions and values in your estate plan. Your faith, your culture, and your beliefs are part of your story.
• If you receive a holiday greeting that doesn’t match your tradition, consider responding with warmth and sharing your own greeting. This exchange builds understanding and respect.
• Your estate plan can include personal letters, stories, or instructions that reflect your beliefs and hopes for your loved ones.

Prosperity, Kindness, and True Wealth

Many holiday messages wish you a “prosperous New Year.” But what does prosperity really mean? Across faiths and philosophies, true wealth is often defined by gratitude, kindness, and the joy of giving—not just material success.

• Think about how your estate plan can support not just your family’s financial future, but also their growth, independence, and generosity.
• Consider including charitable giving in your plan, supporting causes that matter to you and making the world a better place.
• You might direct trustees to make distributions that foster the values you cherish, or add charitable beneficiaries to your trusts. This can provide a model for your heirs to follow.

Light as a Universal Symbol

Candles, lights, and flames are central to holiday celebrations amongst different faiths and cultures. They symbolize hope, warmth, and the triumph of light over darkness.

• Advent candles represent hope, love, joy, and peace.
• Christmas lights celebrate Christ as the Light of the World.
• The Hanukkah menorah stands for resilience and faith.
• Kwanzaa’s kinara inspires unity, purpose, and creativity. The candles represent the Seven Principles: unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith.
• Bodhi Day candles symbolize enlightenment.
• The Winter Solstice marks the return of the sun and longer days.
• In Islam, light is a metaphor for divine guidance and truth.
• In Hinduism, lamps and candles represent knowledge and the victory of good over evil.

No matter your tradition, light is a reminder to bring hope and warmth into the world—not just during the holidays, but every day.

Your Legacy: A Stew, Not a Melting Pot

America’s strength comes from its rich stew of cultures, faiths, and backgrounds, each adding its own flavor to the whole. Your estate plan can reflect this richness, honoring your unique story while contributing to the greater good.

• Don’t feel pressured to hide your traditions behind a generic greeting or plan. Celebrate what makes you, you.
• The American “stew” is richer because each ingredient retains its distinction, while contributing to a shared broth of freedom, values, and community.

Similarly, your estate plan and documents don’t have to be boilerplate forms. They can reflect your values and hopes for your loved ones. They can make a statement, whatever level of wealth you have, by providing support to charitable causes important to you.

Be Proactive—Spread Your Light

The world needs more kindness, compassion, and action. Don’t wait for others to make a difference—use your estate plan to shine your light, support your values, and inspire your loved ones to do the same.

• Include directions in your trust to encourage the values you cherish.
• Write a personal letter to your family, sharing your hopes and dreams for them.
• Add charitable beneficiaries to your trusts, if possible.
• Consider how your plan can help those in need, reduce hate and anger, and improve the world around you.

The Power of Story and Example

Stories and examples can be powerful ways to communicate your values. You might share a story about a time when generosity, kindness, or faith made a difference in your life. You might recall a family tradition that you hope will continue for generations. These stories can be included in your estate plan, in letters to your loved ones, or even as part of your trust documents.

• For example, you might tell the story of a loved one who found joy in giving, or share a favorite quote or teaching from your faith or culture.
• You might explain why you support certain charities, or why you value education, hard work, or compassion.

Estate Planning Messages for Every Faith and Tradition

No matter your background, your estate plan can reflect your values and beliefs:

• Christianity: You might include messages of hope, love, and peace, or encourage charitable giving in the spirit of Christ’s teachings.
• Judaism: You might emphasize resilience, faith, and the importance of family and tradition.
• Kwanzaa: You might highlight unity, purpose, and creativity, and encourage your family to work together and support each other.
• Buddhism: You might focus on wisdom, compassion, and inner peace, and encourage mindfulness and kindness.
• Pagan/Wiccan: You might celebrate the cycles of nature, the return of light, and the importance of harmony with the world.
• Islam: You might emphasize divine guidance, purity, and truth, and encourage acts of charity and devotion.
• Hinduism: You might celebrate knowledge, purity, and the triumph of good over evil, and encourage spiritual growth and generosity.
• Secular/Humanist: You might focus on shared human values, goodwill, and the importance of kindness and compassion.

Conclusion: Shine Your Light

This holiday season, and as you look to the New Year, take time to reflect on your legacy. Commit to use your estate plan to pass on not just your assets, but your values, your faith, your culture, and your hope for a better world. Let your light shine—into your family, your community, and beyond.

Wishing you peace, knowledge, and the warmth of holiday light—however you celebrate. May your legacy be a beacon of hope and goodwill today, and for generations to come.