Separation of Church and Estate

In the era of Shakespeare, wills were not just legal documents; they were testaments of faith. Historic figures like George Washington and Tolstoy, embedded their beliefs and values into their last wills, exemplifying a practice that has diminished in our modern, secular world. Today, we focus on tax savings and legal precision, and often overlook the opportunity to influence future generations through our estate plans.

The 17th and 18th centuries saw wills as extensions of faith, almost uniformly commencing with a profession of belief. It was not uncommon for a priest to be the scrivener of a will, intertwining the spiritual with the terrestrial in the final declaration of a person's life and assets. This tradition of intertwining church and estate speaks to a time when moral legacies were as significant as material ones.

The legal landscape today still allows for the integration of faith and values into estate planning, albeit within the confines of what is enforceable. For many, passing along religious beliefs and values is just as paramount as bequeathing financial wealth. This can manifest in various forms, such as expressions of faith in the preamble of a will, decisions around end-of-life care that reflect one's religious convictions, or even in the careful planning of funeral and burial arrangements to avoid family conflict.

Incorporating one's values into an estate plan requires a delicate balance between intent and the standard boilerplate language found in legal documents. The challenge is to capture the client's heartfelt purposes without conflict, ensuring their values endure without imposing impractical or unenforceable conditions.

The fusion of church and estate in estate planning is not a relic of the past; it is a call to action for those who wish to leave a legacy that transcends material wealth. In the end, our estate plans can serve as the final chapter of our life's story – a story that can guide and inspire long after we are gone. We can help you create a plan that speaks to your values as well as your assets.