For those who have built wealth through vision, grit, and relentless pursuit of excellence, the question of legacy isn’t just philosophical—it’s deeply personal. It’s not about ego or vanity. It’s about impact. It’s about ensuring that the values, causes, and people you care about continue to thrive long after you’re gone.

Why Legacy Matters

Legacy is the bridge between your life’s work and the future you hope to shape. For someone with wealth and vision, it’s a chance to:

• Preserve Values: Whether it’s innovation, generosity, or resilience, your legacy can reflect the principles that guided your journey.
• Empower Others: Through scholarships, foundations, or mentorship programs, your resources can unlock potential in others.
• Shape the Future: Strategic philanthropy can influence education, healthcare, climate action, or any cause close to your heart.
• Tell Your Story: A legacy isn’t just financial—it’s narrative. It’s how future generations understand who you were and what you stood for.

Managing Expectations: The Balancing Act

Leaving a legacy isn’t just about giving—it’s about communicating. Here’s how to manage expectations with clarity and compassion:

• Start Conversations Early: Discuss your intentions openly with family, advisors, and beneficiaries. Transparency builds trust.
• Define Roles and Responsibilities: When creating a foundation or trust, ensure that everyone understands their respective roles and responsibilities.
• Document Your Vision: A well-crafted will or legacy letter can articulate your values and wishes beyond legal language.
• Be Honest About Limits: Not every expectation can be met. It’s okay to say no, as long as it’s done with empathy and explanation.

What Should Happen to Your Assets?

If I were crafting a legacy plan, here’s how I’d think about distributing assets:

1. Beneficiaries First, But Thoughtfully
   1. Provide for loved ones in ways that empower them rather than enable dependence.
   2. Consider setting up educational trusts or milestone-based distributions.
   3. Encourage stewardship—perhaps matching their charitable giving or entrepreneurial efforts.
2. Charitable Impact
   1. Allocate a significant portion to causes that align with my values: climate resilience, equitable education, and mental health access.
   2. Create an endowment that funds innovation in underserved communities.
   3. Support organizations that are transparent, scalable, and community-driven.
3. Legacy Projects
   1. Fund a fellowship or institute that promotes visionary thinking.
   2. Establish a digital archive or storytelling platform that preserves lessons learned and insights gained.

Final Thoughts

Legacy isn’t just what you leave behind—it’s what you set in motion. For those with wealth and vision, it’s a chance to be architects of the future. It’s not about control. It’s about contribution. And when done with intention, humility, and heart, it becomes a gift that keeps on giving.

Chris graduated from the University of Maine, where he played hockey on a scholarship, and retired from professional hockey in 2007. In the community, he remains engaged, serving as a youth hockey coach. Chris holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™. Outside the office, he enjoys trying new foods and wines, reading, traveling, playing golf and hockey, fat-tire biking, and donating to local charities. His passions include being a husband and father, enjoying lake life with his family, watching his son and daughter participate in sports, and spending quality time with his wife. To learn more about Chris, connect with him on LinkedIn.

Heisten Financial, LLC is a registered investment advisor with the SEC. Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any securities, and past performance is not indicative of future results. Investments involve risk and are not guaranteed to yield a return.