Estate Planning: A Leadership Legacy of Love and Clarity
Imagine this: your family is gathered at the dinner table—stories flowing, laughter echoing. Then someone gently asks, “What happens if something happens to Mom and Dad?” The room quiets. The smiles soften. And suddenly, a familiar discomfort creeps in.
We’ve all been there. In my years working with families, teams, and organizations, I’ve learned that avoidance around difficult conversations—whether it’s burnout, succession, or end-of-life wishes—never leads to clarity. Estate planning is one of those topics that feels heavy, but it's actually a profound act of leadership.
One in Three. That’s Not Enough.
According to Sara Ecklein, in the U.S., only a third of adults have an estate plan. That’s staggering when you consider that death is one of the few certainties we all share. But in our productivity-obsessed culture, we often deny death like it’s an inconvenience on the calendar we can postpone. The result? Chaos, legal disputes, and emotional damage—all of which can be avoided.
Your Estate Plan is a Living Document—Not a One-Time Task
One of the biggest mistakes I see—personally and professionally—is treating estate planning like a “set-it-and-forget-it” checklist item. Life changes. You move, you acquire assets, you lose people, you welcome others. Your estate plan should evolve with your life, just like your leadership style or your organizational mission.
A good plan includes more than who gets what—it spells out your wishes for health care, who you trust to carry them out, and how your family should navigate difficult decisions when you're not able to guide them yourself.
Normalize the Hard Conversations
Here’s the truth: high-functioning families, just like high-performing teams, lean into uncomfortable conversations. Talking about death, money, and relationships might feel awkward—but avoiding them guarantees confusion down the road.
As a leader—whether in your home or your business—you have the opportunity to open the door to these conversations. Lead with vulnerability. Invite clarity. And above all, make space for others to ask the tough questions without fear or shame.
Workplaces Have a Role to Play, Too
We spend a third of our lives at work. Why shouldn’t our workplaces be part of this solution?
Forward-thinking organizations are embedding estate planning into employee wellness benefits—offering access to will-making tools, legal support, and end-of-life planning resources. It's not just a nice perk. It’s culture-building. It shows employees that their lives—and their legacies—matter.
Face Mortality, Celebrate Life
The purpose of estate planning isn't to fixate on death. It’s to celebrate life. It’s to ensure that the people and causes we love are protected when we no longer have a say. It’s leadership in its most intimate, meaningful form.
Let’s stop treating estate planning like an optional chore. Let’s treat it like what it is: an expression of care, clarity, and conscious leadership. By taking action today, you’re not just protecting assets—you’re writing a story your family can lean on for generations.
Because peace of mind isn’t just for the living—it’s the greatest legacy you can leave behind.
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If you are in California, reach out to Sara Ecklein for your trust and estate planning needs.
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sara-ecklein
Facebook: @Sara Ecklein, CLPF
Instagram: @themindfulfiduciary
Website: www.trustandhonor.co
Podcast: http://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2378190.rss
Free Legacy of Love Workbook: www.trustandhonor.co/workbook
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Michael D. Levitt is a global thought leader on HR, workplace culture, and burnout recovery. As founder of the Breakfast Leadership Network and host of the Breakfast Leadership Show, he helps leaders create clarity in chaos and build legacies that matter.
