Broker Check

Creating a Living Legacy

January 20, 2026

Hello! My name is Kayden Besher, one of the advisors here at Burgdorf Wealth Managers. Today, I want to talk about how to create a living legacy.

A living legacy goes beyond wills, trusts, or account designations. Instead, it’s about how your values show up in the lessons you share, the causes you support, and the guidance you provide. It’s the difference between simply passing down wealth and passing down the wisdom to steward it.

To start creating your living legacy, you need to understand what matters most to you. Write down the values you want to encourage and the people or causes you hope will feel their impact.

Then, add structure. Tools like wills, trusts, beneficiary designations, and coordinated estate documents can help ensure your wealth transfers smoothly and according to your wishes.

If you want to give to causes or organizations you care about, qualified charitable distributions, donor-advised funds, or charitable trusts can be useful. These structures help you align generosity with your goals, while also providing certain tax advantages.

Throughout the process of creating your living legacy, communication is key. Talk openly about your wishes, medical preferences, and survivor benefits to be sure your loved ones know exactly what you intend.

A living legacy often grows through small, consistent actions, like mentoring, planning, giving, and storytelling. These actions help imprint your values and principles on the next generation.

If you’d like to explore how to shape your own living legacy, reach out to the office to schedule a meeting. I’d be happy to help you align your plans and purpose for the years ahead.

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