Legacy in Practice: Giving, Family, and the Meaning of Showing Up

Recently, I attended a volunteer appreciation event hosted through the Alzheimer’s Association.  We recognized and celebrated the many individuals who dedicate their time and energy to supporting families affected by Alzheimer’s disease and related conditions.

What stood out most was not any single speech or moment, but the collective sense of commitment in the room - people who are consistently showing up for others in ways that are often quiet, steady, and deeply meaningful.

Being there also prompted a more personal reflection for me. My father passed away from early-onset Alzheimer’s disease in 2016, and while time has passed, experiences connected to this disease continue to carry personal significance.

Thinking About Legacy in Real Time

As a parent of four young children, I find myself thinking more often about what legacy actually means - not in an abstract or distant sense, but in the way it is formed through everyday choices.

In my work as an estate planning attorney, clients often begin with the question of how their assets will be distributed in the future. That is an important and necessary part of planning.

But over time, I have come to believe that legacy is not only what is left behind. It is also what is modeled and practiced while we are still here.

Estate Planning and the Role of Giving

Many estate plans include charitable components - bequests, beneficiary designations, or other planned gifts intended to support meaningful causes. These structures play an important role in ensuring that values extend beyond one lifetime.

Philanthropy can also be built into an estate plan in very simple, flexible ways - whether by designating a percentage of an estate to charity, naming a nonprofit as a beneficiary of an account, or incorporating giving into a trust structure.

But I often find that the more meaningful conversations go beyond structure alone.

They explore how giving can also be part of life today - not only something reserved for later. When philanthropy is incorporated into present decision-making, it becomes something that can be shared, discussed, and experienced within a family.

In that sense, estate planning is not only about organizing the future. It can also be an opportunity to reflect on how values are lived in the present.

Learning Through Example

One of the most powerful aspects of giving is that it is observable.

Children and younger generations do not learn values primarily from documents or instructions. They learn them from what they see consistently modeled - how priorities are set, how decisions are made, and how families choose to engage with their broader community.

For that reason, philanthropy is not only a financial concept. It is also a behavioral one. It can shape how the next generation understands responsibility, generosity, and participation in something larger than themselves.

A Personal and Professional Perspective

My own perspective on these issues has been shaped by both personal experience and professional practice.

My father’s illness reinforced how important it is for families to have clarity and planning in place well before they are needed. It also underscored how quickly circumstances can change, and how valuable thoughtful preparation can be during uncertain times.

In my legal work, I also see how frequently families and individuals are navigating similar challenges - sometimes with planning in place, and sometimes without it. That contrast continues to inform how I approach conversations with clients.

Closing Thought

Volunteer efforts like those recognized at the Alzheimer’s Association event are a reminder of how much impact comes from people who choose to give their time, energy, and care in meaningful ways.

Estate planning addresses what happens in the future. But legacy is also built in the present - through the ways we choose to give, participate, and show up for others today.

For many individuals and families, that shift in perspective - from planning alone to living intentionally - can be one of the most meaningful parts of the process.

Out in the Community

Please join my Adult Education offered through the Roslyn School District

Estate Planning & Elder Law: Protecting Your Assets

Wednesday, May 13th, 7:00 – 8:30 PM, Roslyn High School

Topics to be addressed include what needs to be done in order to pass assets to children free of estate taxes, how you can protect your home from future nursing home costs, how you can avoid in-laws from gaining access to your family’s estate, and how to avoid problems that may arise out of the probate process. 

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