Check out our March newsletter!
You Can’t Take It With You
planningyourlegacy.com 803-746-7000
March 2026
As Young as You Feel
CHOOSING YOUTHFULNESS AT ANY AGE
March 22 is As Young as You Feel Day, and I think Abraham Lincoln would have liked that one. He said most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be. Age is a little like that, too. I know I’m always surprised when I look in the mirror because I sure don’t feel as old as I look (most days). When people talk about being “young at heart,” I don’t really think about birthdays or how many candles are on the cake. What I notice instead is whether someone is still curious and engaged with life. The people who seem the most energized aren’t trying to pretend they’re younger. They stay open and optimistic and are willing to try things, learn something new, and say “yes” to experiences that aren’t already familiar. Early in my career, I thought planning was mostly about protecting people from what could go wrong. That’s still important, but I’ve come to see that the people who age the best are planning for something. They move toward experiences rather than turn away from risk. That shift alone changes how people feel about the future. It’s easier to get out of bed when you have something to look forward to. For me, staying energized is fairly simple. I enjoy learning things I don’t already know. I like doing things I’m not especially good at yet. And I try to give myself permission to try something without turning it into a long-term commitment. It might be a small experience or even just a break from routine, but those little things can add up more than people think. My view of aging has changed quite a bit over the years. I no longer see it as slowing down so much as becoming more selective. When we stop doing things purely out of obligation and start spending more time on what actually matters, life feels more rewarding. That doesn’t start with a big budget or dramatic lifestyle change. Often, A Question to Ask (or Answer for) a Loved One Asking and answering important questions helps preserve your family’s values and life lessons for generations to come. What helps you feel energized at this stage of life?
it starts with noticing what gives us energy and making a little more room for it in our day-to-day. I also think having a playful spirit helps. By that, I don’t mean being frivolous, wasteful, or taking unnecessary risks. It’s more about being willing to try something without turning it into a grand plan. You don’t have to dedicate your life to a new pursuit or hobby. Take one class to learn more about something that interests you. Go to the pottery studio once and see how it feels. Let yourself be a beginner, and let go of the idea that everything has to be perfect or prepared and preplanned. That mindset keeps people flexible, and flexibility matters as life changes. If I could talk to my younger self, I might say, “Don’t wait until everything feels settled before you start enjoying life.” It never fully settles. There’s always one more thing on the to-do list. You still have to be wise about money and long-term security, but find a way to be content right now. If you wait around for complete certainty, you’re going to miss out on the best things in life.
Every now and then, it helps to ignore the voice that says, “Act your age.” Be a little more like the kid you once were. Act as young as you feel. Don’t hurt yourself, but have fun and don’t take things too seriously. Growing older might be unavoidable, but feeling old is up to you.
“Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.” ISAIAH 40:31 Philip J. Corson, Founder
planningyourlegacy.com | 1
Published by Newsletter Pro • newsletterpro.com
Guarding Your Digital Wealth
ESTATE PLANNING MEETS CRYPTOCURRENCY
Cryptocurrencies were once on the sidelines of investments, but their surge in value over the last several years has brought them to the mainstream. Today’s investors are directing billions of dollars into this asset class, and cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum are playing a growing role in wealth accumulation. While more people are holding cryptocurrencies, many overlook these assets in their estate plans. Because they are significantly different from traditional assets, it can be challenging even to know where to start. A great first step is to create a clear written inventory. This should include the types of wallets (cold or hot) it uses and whether your specific currencies are stored on an exchange or a piece of hardware. If you have a hardware wallet, note its storage location. If you use several apps, list each one. You’ll want to track the values of your crypto assets and keep a record of that as well. These values fluctuate too frequently for you to keep a completely accurate record, but a general estimate can help an executor understand what they’re handling. Next comes the access puzzle. Crypto does not function like a bank account. Heirs cannot call customer service and resolve the issue. They need keys, seed phrases, or login details, and those items must be kept in a secure place that remains private. Some people keep them in a password manager. Others use a paper record stored in a safe or an encrypted digital file. Whatever method you use, the most important thing is to inform your executor and at least one backup person of how to access it if they ever need to.
different chains or wallet types. Some families name a separate digital executor, while others entrust that role to a child, sibling, or advisor who understands the technology and security behind cryptocurrency. They don’t have to be a tech wizard, but you want someone who understands how wallets work, how to move coins without exposing their private keys, and when to seek professional help. For larger holdings, it may be advisable to wrap your cryptocurrency inside a structure such as an LLC held under a trust. An LLC can provide a single entity for multiple business interests and may offer an additional layer of protection from personal creditors. A revocable living trust can own your LLC interests, so your plan avoids probate and makes it easier for a successor trustee to step in and follow your instructions if you become ill or pass away. Taxes are another reason to plan. The IRS treats digital coins as property rather than currency. That means your heirs may face capital gains when they sell or trade what they inherit. Providing them with basic information, such as when you bought the asset, what you paid, and where it is held, will save your family money and time later. Like all estate planning, the ultimate goal here is to protect people as much as assets. With cryptocurrencies, that means connecting the legal pieces with clear instructions and secure access so something valuable doesn’t vanish just because no one knew how to reach it.
It also helps to consider the person who will manage these assets. A traditional executor might be uncomfortable working with
“With cryptocurrencies, estate planning isn’t just about assets — it’s about secure access, clear instructions, and making sure something valuable doesn’t vanish.”
2 | 803-746-7000
Published by Newsletter Pro • newsletterpro.com
Parachutes Turned Into Wedding Gowns Dresses From the Sky
TAKE A BREAK
BASKETBALL BOOKS DAFFODIL DAYLIGHT GUINNESS IRIS LEPRECHAUN POPCORN RAINY SHAMROCK SUFFRAGE WINDY
Most wedding dresses come from boutiques or family closets. But in the 1940s, some came from the sky. During and after World War II, brides across the U.S. and parts of
Europe walked down the aisle in gowns made from parachutes. Equal parts scarcity and sentiment contributed to the development of this tradition.
At the time, budgets were tight. Brides-to-be faced fabric rationing, and the military got most of the nylon. A parachute offered yards of strong, clean material, making it valuable. But for some couples, the biggest draw wasn’t the fabric. It was the story tied to it. One of the most famous examples is that of Major Claude Hensinger, who was forced to parachute out of a burning bomber. The chute delivered him safely to the ground and served as his bedding while he waited for rescue. He proposed to his girlfriend, Ruth, after returning home and suggested she use that same parachute for her gown. She hired a seamstress to construct the bodice and gathered the skirt herself using parachute cords. The finished dress, inspired by one from “Gone With the Wind,” now sits in the Smithsonian. Another bride, Carolyn Martin, made her own parachute dress after her fiancé, Chuck, survived a training flight crash. Carolyn transformed his parachute into a wedding dress using the sewing skills she had picked up in eighth grade. It is now part of the San Diego Air and Space Museum’s collection. A far more elaborate dress is stored at the National Museum of the United States Air Force. It originally belonged to an Air Force family and was pieced together from nine parachutes used in combat. One of the most meaningful parachute dresses, though, came from a displaced persons camp in Germany. Two Holocaust survivors, Ludwig Friedman and Lilly Lax, married at the camp in 1946. To make the wedding dress, Ludwig bought a parachute from Allied troops, and Lilly hired a seamstress using cigarette rations. Two more brides at other camps borrowed their dress before it was preserved at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. Parachute nylon was never meant to be heirloom fabric. But during a time of shortages and uncertainty, that’s what it became.
St. Patrick’s Day Shamrock Swirl Pie
Ingredients
• 1 cup heavy cream • 8 oz cream cheese, softened • 1 cup powdered sugar • 1 tsp vanilla extract • 1/2 cup mint chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup green food coloring, for vibrant color • 1 premade chocolate pie crust • 1/2 cup chocolate syrup, for drizzling
Directions 1. In a mixing bowl, whip heavy cream until stiff peaks form. 2. In a separate bowl, beat softened cream cheese until smooth. 3. Add powdered sugar and vanilla to cream cheese, mixing until well combined. Then, gently fold whipped heavy cream into the mixture. 4. Divide mixture into two bowls. In one bowl, add mint chocolate chips and green food coloring. 5. Layer mixtures into chocolate pie crust, alternating between mint mixture and the plain mixture. 6. Drizzle chocolate syrup over top. 7. Cover with cling wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours to set. Slice and serve chilled.
Inspired by MixUpRecipes.com
planningyourlegacy.com | 3
Published by Newsletter Pro • newsletterpro.com
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
803-746-7000 planningyourlegacy.com PO Box 100 Bowling Green, SC 29703
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1
Growing Older Without Feeling Old
2
Protecting Crypto Beyond Your Lifetime
3
St. Patrick’s Day Shamrock Swirl Pie
Brides Who Wore Parachutes
4
A Rock Star Lesson in Wills
Jim Morrison’s Estate Mistake THE DOORS TO AN UNINTENDED HEIR
As the legendary frontman for The Doors, Jim Morrison lived fast, wrote boldly, and left behind music that continues to captivate people more than 50 years later. He died in Paris at 27, and while most people that young have nothing in place, he actually left a will. But that will sent his wealth to people he never intended to have it. In his will, Morrison left almost everything to his longtime partner, Pamela Courson. He added one condition. She would only receive her inheritance if she lived 90 days past his death. If not, the estate would go to his brother and sister. Courson lived long enough to receive everything, but she died just a little over two years later without a will of her own. That was when the entire plan fell apart. Courson’s parents inherited the estate under intestacy laws, and everything from Morrison, including royalties and image rights, was passed to them. Morrison’s parents sued, the families fought, and
the resulting settlement reflected a compromise rather than his original wishes.
The lesson from this messy situation is simple. When we leave assets to a partner, their plan becomes part of ours. If their plan is left incomplete, our estate can end up going to people we don’t even know. A few lines in a well-built plan can prevent that. Naming alternate beneficiaries protects the people we love and keeps everything on the intended path. There were other issues, too. Morrison’s estate included assets that really belonged in a trust with a qualified trustee, rather than a basic will. Morrison started planning earlier than most, but he stopped one step too soon. His story is a reminder to the rest of us that creating a will is not the finish line. A complete plan ensures our wishes are followed, even years after we pass.
4 | 803-746-7000
Published by Newsletter Pro • newsletterpro.com
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator