Estate Planning — A Powerful Exercise in Optimism

Bob Michaels is extremely passionate about providing the best possible legal experience for his clients, and focuses his practice on elder law, estate planning, business, and real estate matters. Bob has been able to provide piece of mind and a solid foundation to many folks in the Puget Sound area over the years and wants to provide resources and relevant information whenever he can. For more information on how Bob can help your loved ones through these troubling times, contact Bob to schedule a FREE consultation.

Many scientific studies have established that there is a wide range of benefits that flow from a positive attitude and positive thinking. At a time when many are focused on worst-case scenarios and gloomy predictions, try resisting the pull of negativity and embrace the beneficial results of positivity.

You can increase not only your own well-being but also that of your children or other beneficiaries, by creating an estate plan designed to promote their happiness, which in turn, will enable them to live healthier and more successful lives.

Health Benefits of Positivity
According to the Mayo Clinic, positive thinking has a multitude of health benefits, including an increased life span, lower rates of depression, lower levels of distress, greater resistance to the common cold, more psychological and physical well-being, better cardiovascular health and less risk of death from cardiovascular disease. Happiness, a byproduct of a positive attitude, has repeatedly been shown to boost the immune system, with studies showing that happy people who were exposed to illnesses were less likely to become sick or had milder symptoms than others who were less happy.

Impact of Positivity on Success
Studies have shown that those who are happy and satisfied with their lives are more likely to have desirable outcomes in school, work, social relationships, health, and life in general. Positive emotions are accompanied by a broadened perspective allowing us to see and examine a variety of options and choosing those that make the most sense.

Those who tend to be more optimistic are more likely to establish clear life goals, focus on different ways to reach their goals, and believe that their goals will become a reality. Hopeful people view negative events as temporary setbacks or isolated unfortunate events. As a result, they are more resilient and able to handle challenges and view them as learning experiences. They have confidence that they can take action to improve their lives, and thus, are more likely to do just that.

Using Your Estate Plan to Create Positivity — Creating an Ethical Will
Rather than focusing primarily on negative goals, such as preventing a spendthrift child from wasting his or her inheritance, view your estate planning as a way to pass along a positive legacy. One way to do this  is by creating an ethical will that shares your important values, religious beliefs, life lessons, and blessings with your family members.

An ethical will is something that could be shared during your lifetime as a way of drawing family members closer together, or it could be one of the most meaningful gifts you leave for family members when you pass away.

In addition, you can provide funds for activities that create positive experiences for your beneficiaries. Although providing financial security for family members and loved ones is clearly a positive goal, rather than simply thinking of your wealth as a way for your children or loved ones to acquire more “stuff,” you can be more deliberate and thoughtful by setting aside money for meaningful experiences, e.g., family trips, schooling, or volunteer activities, that will allow your beneficiaries to flourish and develop their strengths and interests. In fact, research shows that experiential gifts (gifts of events that recipients experience) result in a stronger relationship between the giver and the gift recipient than material gifts, even if the gift giver does not experience the event with the recipient.

Let Us Help You Achieve a Positive Goal
During this time of crisis, a positive attitude is more important than ever. By providing you with a very personalized consultation, Bob Michaels can help you think through and identify the ways you can incorporate positivity into your estate planning so that you can have the confidence and peace-of-mind knowing that you are not only providing your family with financial security, but also that you are leaving a positive legacy that will promote your loved ones’ physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

Call us today to schedule a meeting so we can discuss how you can best achieve your positive estate planning goals. We are more than happy to meet with you over the phone, virtually, or in person.
 
Tacoma Elder Care - Helping families face aging, illness, and disability through estate planning, asset preservation, and life care planning.