Creating a Family Legacy Document Legacy Basic ($199)
The creation of a written family legacy document is an absolute necessity. It clearly communicates the accomplishments, beliefs, actions and guidance that family members have demonstrated over time. It describes moments that reveal character and what is important. An effective document will make the family vision clear to at least three generations.
The creation of a written family legacy document is a five step process:
Step 1 Preparing For The Journey
- To get the process started, a family member(s) must be identified who will assume responsibility for coordinating the activities associated with creating and maintaining the written family legacy document. This family member(s) will be the primary contact person(s).
- The family must determine the couple/partners/individual who will serve as the focus for the family legacy document. The process will focus on three generations. The primary contact person will be responsible for one primary account with six sub accounts associated with it to access the website and to input data.
- Establish goal(s) for the written family legacy document. The goal(s) should be measurable and attainable in a reasonable amount of time. The focus should be to collect as much information as possible on three generations of family members.
- Review the non-disclosure agreement and the service agreement.
Action items:
- Provide the name of a contact person for the family. (client)
- Provide a list of family goal(s) for the process. (client)
- Complete and sign the non-disclosure agreement and the service agreement. (client & Legacy Forward, LLC)
Step 2 Family History
- The family member(s) participating in the process will collect as much information as possible on themselves and their parents.
Action items:
- Talk to family members, especially older family members and document their experiences (client)
- Complete The Family Legacy Document/ Family History Questionnaire made available by Legacy Forward, LLC (client)
Step 3 Data Analysis
- Analyze data to develop a mission statement in order to create the first draft of the family legacy document. Use information from step two to complete step three.
- Family legacy mission statement – The statement must include the family’s beliefs, and ensure ways those beliefs are effectively passed on to future generations. The family legacy mission statement provides a chance to share love and let other family members know how much the family cares for them. Every family member contributes to the family legacy.
Action item:
1. Deliver first draft of family legacy document to family for review. (Legacy Forward, LLC)
Step 4 Draft Document Review
- Family review draft document and provide feedback. (Examples: elements to be retained, elements to be discarded, new elements, etc.)
Action item:
1. Deliver feedback regarding the draft document to Legacy Forward, LLC (client)
Step 5 Final Document
- The family legacy document has been completed. By leveraging the information identified and pulled together from previous steps, you have created a finished working final draft of the family legacy document. At this point on your journey, you have created a product that can be used to share your family’s documented legacy with your broader family, friends and loved ones.
Action item:
1. The deliverables include a family legacy document with an introduction and mission statement; a family legacy card (single card, two panels); and a family tree diagram. (Legacy Forward, LLC)
Note: All information provided by the client is strictly confidential and will be used exclusively for the purpose of creating a family legacy document.