When Anna Harp lost her father, Rudolph Clausing, she didn’t get to say goodbye. It was January 2021, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Her father, already battling lung disease, contracted the virus, and due to strict hospital protocols, Anna and her family weren’t allowed to be with him in his final days. Anna was only 27. Her father was 66. And just like that, he was gone.
But in the midst of sorrow and heartbreak, Anna’s mother found something deeply comforting among his belongings: a notebook with a single handwritten line from Rudolph.
“It has been such a good life.”
Those seven words became everything. A simple, heartfelt note – yet it offered peace, closure, and the sense that Anna’s father had left on his own terms, with love and gratitude in his heart.
This story offers a powerful reminder: When someone we love dies, it’s not the bank accounts or heirlooms we long for most. It’s their presence, their wisdom, and their love. And too often, traditional estate planning fails to deliver what truly matters.
What Your Family Really Needs Isn’t Just Paperwork
In the wake of a loss, families aren’t thinking about documents or dollar amounts – they’re searching for connection. They want to know what you would have said, how you would have guided them, and whether you were at peace. If those messages are left unsaid, the people you love may feel lost, uncertain, and emotionally unanchored for years.
The greatest pain often comes not from financial hardship, but from emotional ambiguity. When your loved ones are left guessing about your wishes or values, it creates confusion and conflict that can ripple through generations.
A Legacy of Love Comes From Your Voice, Not Just Your Assets
True legacy planning means giving your family something more than a set of instructions – it means giving them you. Your voice. Your values. Your vision for their future. That’s where Life & Legacy Planning comes in.
When we work together, we don’t just talk about who gets what – we talk about who you are, what matters most to you, and how you want to be remembered. You’ll share messages your family will treasure for years: guidance for your children, reassurance for your spouse, stories for your grandchildren, and clear decisions that prevent conflict.
You’re not just planning for death – you’re planning for life after you’re gone.
Here’s What That Looks Like
Clarity, Not Confusion:
A Life & Legacy Plan gives your family crystal-clear guidance about what to do, where to find your assets, and how to carry out your wishes. Whether it’s business interests, bills, or guardianship decisions, they’ll know exactly what steps to take – without second-guessing.
Prepared for the Practical and the Personal:
Yes, we’ll address the financial and legal realities – how your family will cover the mortgage, fund education, or maintain their lifestyle. But we’ll also focus on what matters most: how you want your children raised, the traditions you hope they’ll continue, and the stories you want passed down.
You Leave Behind More Than Memories:
A hallmark of my process is the Life & Legacy Recording – a personal message to your family that captures your love, values, and voice. Unlike a chance-discovered note, this is a purposeful gift, delivered to your family at a time when they’ll need it most.
Support That Lasts a Lifetime (And Beyond):
We don’t disappear once the documents are signed. My firm will be there for you and your family as life changes – reviewing and updating your plan, guiding your loved ones when the time comes, and offering peace of mind that someone they trust is by their side.
And if I’m ever unable to serve you or your family directly, I’ll ensure you’re supported by a trusted lawyer from the nationwide Personal Family Lawyer network – attorneys who use the same heart-centered, client-focused Life & Legacy Planning process.
Don’t Leave Your Family Guessing
If something were to happen to you tomorrow, would your loved ones know what to do? Would they feel your guidance, your love, your clarity? Or would they be left searching – hoping for answers you never had the chance to give?
Let’s change that.
Let’s build a Life & Legacy Plan that leaves no questions – only comfort, clarity, and love. A plan that helps you one day say, just like Rudolph:
“It has been such a good life.”
At Cheever Law, we don’t just draft documents; we ensure you make informed and empowered decisions about life and death for yourself and the people you love, starting with a valuable and educational Life & Legacy Planning Session. This will allow you to get more financially organized and make the best choices for the people you love. If you have already completed your estate plan, we will review that plan at your Life & Legacy Planning Session to ensure that it will work the way you intend and address any holes or gaps that may be present if circumstances have changed since you executed your plan.
To learn more about our one-of-a-kind systems and services, contact us or schedule a no-obligation 15-minute introductory phone call today.