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Estate planning is often focused on the legal side—wills, trusts, and tax strategies. But what’s often missing from the conversation is the emotional and personal legacy you leave behind.
A legacy letter (also called an ethical will) isn’t a legal document. But it can be one of the most meaningful parts of your estate plan—complementing your legal letters like your last will and testament, trust instructions, and healthcare directives.
Here’s why your estate plan should include both.
What Is a Legacy Letter?
A legacy letter is a personal message to your loved ones. It can include:
- Life lessons or values you want to pass on
- Messages to specific family members
- Stories from your life you don’t want forgotten
- Gratitude or apologies
- Hopes for your children or grandchildren’s future
It’s typically written in your own words—on paper, in a video, or even as a series of notes—and kept alongside your estate plan.
👉 Learn why estate planning is about more than money for all generations
What Are Legal Letters?
Legal letters refer to the enforceable documents in your estate plan. These include:
- Last Will and Testament – Directs how your assets are distributed
- Trust Instructions – Outlines how your trust should be managed
- Letters of Instruction – Practical guidance for your executor or trustee
- Advance Healthcare Directive & Power of Attorney – Guides medical and financial decisions if you become incapacitated
Legal documents control who gets what. Legacy letters help explain why.
👉 See how a will works with Georgia’s inheritance laws
👉 Explore the role of co-executors and legal instructions
Why Both Matter in Your Estate Plan
1. Legal Clarity + Emotional Closure
Legal documents ensure your plan is followed. But they don’t leave space for emotion, intent, or personal messages. Legacy letters can give your loved ones clarity and peace of mind.
2. Avoid Misunderstandings
Leaving unequal gifts? Naming one child as executor? Your legal documents may not explain why. A legacy letter can reduce confusion and conflict by adding human context.
👉 Read: Why Families Fight Over Inheritance—and How to Prevent It
3. Pass On More Than Money
Your values, beliefs, and stories are part of your legacy. A legacy letter can ensure that what you stood for doesn’t get lost in legal paperwork.
When and How to Write One
- After completing your legal plan: Once your will, trust, and other documents are finalized, reflect on what you’d want your family to remember.
- Speak from the heart: No formal language needed. Be real.
- Keep it with your estate documents: Your attorney can help store it with your file or digital plan.
You can update your legacy letter just like you would your will—after major life changes or new experiences.
Final Thoughts
A solid estate plan includes the legal essentials. But don’t overlook the power of personal messages. Adding a legacy letter won’t cost anything—but it may mean everything to the people you love most.
At Hurban Law, LLC, we help Georgia families create complete, personal estate plans. We’ll guide you through the legal side—and help you build a legacy that lasts beyond the documents.
Contact us today to start your plan or update what you already have
