Desert Estate Planning Law Blog : Palm Springs Estate Planning Lawyer & Attorney : Daryl Binkley Law Firm : Palm Desert, Indian Wells, Southern California

As I watched Dr. Andrew Weil's “Healthy Aging" DVD over the weekend I expected to hear tips on a healthy diet, exercise, maybe some recommendations on vitamins and/or supplements--but what really got my attention, being an estate planning lawyer, was his recommendation of an  ethical will  as "a gift of spiritual health." 

Unlike other estate planning documents that specify your wishes regarding your assets and medical decisions,  an ethical will refers to transferring your values, experiences and personal stories to your family or community.  It is an intimate and more personal document that doesn't have a legal standing, but in some circumstances it might even be more cherished by your loved ones.  

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On a recommendation from my wife, I read a book by Daniel Pink, A Whole New Mind.  According to Mr. Pink, we live in a "Conceptual Age" and there are "six high-concept, high-touch senses" important now to the development of the "new mind." 

A couple that resonated with me especially was "story" and "meaning" (others are: design, symphony, empathy, and play).  While many things in the book resonated with me, these two really struck a cord with how I think about estate planning...

Every painting in my house has a story behind it. One is inherited from my grandmother, one from my great-aunt, some paintings were acquired on my trips to other states, and finally others in Europe.  My wife personally knows some of the artists, and knows where, when & why an artist painted a particular painting. Each of our paintings has a story, a sense of history---meaning.

Is there a story about your life, you would like your grandchildren to know about? Is there one lesson you would like to teach them? Is there a reason why you are leaving that house, a painting, an antique (or anything else) to a particular person? Is there a reason why you chose a certain charity, not the other? Is there an interesting story behind some your acquisitions?

At the end, we treasure our assets, but also as important, if not more important, are our stories, and experiences--our ability to give a sense of history.  Meaning of it all, in our own mind.

In my mind, estate planning can be, not just about transferring your money but more about your life, about your values and experiences. A written letter, audio CD or more elaborate video can be one intangible asset you leave (along with your estate plan) and the one that is treasured by your loved ones.

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Estate planning is generally considered to be putting in place a system of instructions to transfer your property upon your death--which it is, to a large extent.  However, estate planning can be so much more than that. 

It can also be about transferring values to your loved ones and/or transferring some of your property to charities so your life brings about positive changes for the community-at-large. 

However, there are some people that give back to the community on a continual basis through the support of good causes. 

On March 7, my wife and I attended a celebration in the honor of Dick and Jan Oliphant who received the Children's Discovery Museum of the Desert's Children's Champions award for their support of the Museum and other philanthropic activities in our Coachella Valley. The event was also a fundraiser for the museum.

The gracious and elegant couple is pictured below. 

Jan and Dick holding their awards.

Sunny with museum volunteers.

Sunny with Betty Barker (Chairperson of the CDMOD Board of Trustees). 

Photos courtesy of Daryl L. Binkley, Esq.

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