Legacy Leaders Network

Tips of the week!

Trivia Question❓

Which 20th-century tech company famously pivoted from making playing cards to electronics, showcasing long-term adaptability as key to its legacy?

Answer at the bottom of the newsletter

Crisis-Proofing the Legacy Plan: Preparing for the Unexpected

Legacy planning often focuses on long-term vision—retirement, inheritance, philanthropy, and generational wealth. But what happens when life throws an unexpected curveball? A sudden illness, financial downturn, family conflict, or global crisis can derail even the most thoughtful plans. That’s why true legacy planning must go beyond hopes and goals. It must include a strategy for resilience. As an advisor, you have the opportunity—and the responsibility—to help clients crisis-proof their legacy before life tests it.

The best time to prepare for a crisis is before one happens. Yet many clients delay making critical decisions, assuming there will always be time to revise plans later. The problem? Crises don’t wait for convenience. Without contingency strategies in place, even well-structured estates and businesses can become vulnerable. Families may be left without guidance. Assets can become tied up in legal or financial limbo. And the clarity of a client’s legacy can be lost in the chaos.

Begin by reviewing the basics: Are the client’s documents—wills, trusts, powers of attorney, healthcare proxies—updated and accessible? Have successor trustees or business partners been briefed on their roles? Are digital assets and passwords stored securely with clear instructions? These aren’t glamorous details, but they are essential.

Next, go deeper. Ask clients: If something happened tomorrow, would your family know what to do? Would your business survive your absence? Would your charitable commitments be honored? Crisis-proofing means preparing for worst-case scenarios with the same care clients apply to their best-case dreams.

You can also introduce the idea of legacy continuity planning—identifying key values and goals that must endure regardless of circumstances. This may involve training heirs, creating family governance structures, or recording messages and intentions to guide future decisions. The goal is to reduce emotional and financial confusion during turbulent times.

Finally, emphasize that resilience is not about fear—it’s about freedom. A client who knows their legacy plan can withstand a crisis sleeps better at night and lives more confidently in the present. That peace of mind is priceless.

Your guidance doesn’t just help clients build wealth. It helps them protect it—along with their values, vision, and voice. When you help clients crisis-proof their legacy, you ensure that their impact endures—even in the face of the unexpected. And that’s planning at its most powerful.

Legacy Webinar: Using Family Heirlooms as Value Transmitters

Your attic may hold more legacy than you realize. Join estate planning expert Stan Miller to learn how everyday items...when paired with stories...can help pass down values for generations.

🗓️ Event Details:
Date: Thursday, August 28th, 2025
Time: 12PM–1PM Eastern
Location: Zoom (link sent upon registration)
📣 Live giveaway: 5-star resort stay!
🔗 Register Here

💡 Answer to Trivia Question:

Nintendo. Founded in 1889 as a playing card company, Nintendo reinvented itself multiple times over the decades—eventually becoming a global leader in video games. Its ability to evolve through shifting markets highlights how flexibility strengthens legacy.