"Protect those you love TM" is the foundational premise of the work that we do at Treveri Law.  As parents, it is instinctual that we will create safety nets for our children.  We tell them every day that you love them, but after you are gone, will they still hear your voice?  

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One of the foremost historical figures in history is Julius Caesar.  He was a fantastic orator, leader
and brilliant military man and although he had come from wealth, he connected with
the "Common people".  In his will, not only did he give his power to his nephew,
Augustus Octavian (not Marc Antony), but he also directed that every Roman citizen
receive 300 Roman sesterces, which amounted to a gift of around 150 million silver coins
to his subjects. In addition, the extensive and beautiful gardens of Trastevere were
transferred to the public domain and are still used today.  In giving this vast charitable gift,
Caesar was expressing his love for the citizens of Rome.  

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Similarly, General George Washington made a gift in his Will he stated: 

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Psychological research has demonstrated that a child's awareness of the positive emotions
their parent had at the time of giving a gift has profound influence on the child's ability to
feel deep gratitude for that gift.   These affirming and rich reflections might include: 

•  Reflections on the day you were born

• How we chose your name and what it meant to us

• Memories of trips or vacations when we created priceless memories

• Things I have always admired about you

• Special talents or gifts I feel you have been given and the great potential I have seen in you

• Really difficult challenges I have seen you overcome and How I felt about your effort

• Things you said or did for me which really made me feel special or loved

• How I felt when you reached and passed certain milestones in your life such as high school or college graduation, your first job

• Favorite Quotes or life lessons I think may be important to you or your children in the future

• Things you never heard me talk about which made life special or were particularly challenging
  or difficult 

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When a trust document is the traditional, sterile and complex legal instrument, bereft of any
positive emotion which the grantor may have felt, it It may leave the beneficiary with the impression
that a Trust creator didnt trust them, felt they were incompetent or imbeciles who needed
protection... the mindful legacy approach is to create a healthier, more positive relationship
between trustee and beneficiary as well as empowering the beneficiary to attain his or her full
potential while gifting the beneficiary with life affirming statements of love and wisdom, and
hopes and dreams for positive opportunities and influence a trust would have on the beneficiary's life. 

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When creating estate planning documents, it is important to address the catastrophic emotional, financial and psychological impacts this event would have on children - regardless of age.  When creating a trust for minors, we have created a "GPS for Trustees" document which families find instructive in choosing fiduciairies.  This document is intended to reflect your timeless core values and principles to ensure your documents will be a positive force in the future lives of the beneficiaries, no matter the challeges ahead. 

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