Introduction to Legacy Planning Series

The First Steps to Creating a Legacy Plan

You don’t need all the answers to get started—just a willingness to take the first step.

Legacy planning can feel overwhelming. There’s the legal paperwork, the financial strategy, the tax implications—not to mention the emotions involved. But the truth is, the hardest part is often just getting started.


At Tandem Financial Team, we help guide families through the process with clarity and confidence. Here's how to begin.

1. Get Organized

Start by pulling together the basics:

  • Key financial accounts

  • Insurance policies

  • Real estate and business holdings

  • Estate documents, if they exist

This isn’t about perfection—it’s about creating a clear picture of where things stand today.


2. Clarify What Legacy Means to You

A lasting legacy isn’t just about transferring assets—it’s about aligning your values with your wealth. Ask yourself:

  • Who or what matters most to me?

  • What kind of impact do I want to leave behind?

  • Are there causes, people, or traditions I want to support?

Your answers shape the heart of your plan.


3. Identify Priorities and Risks

Where are the gaps? For some, it’s a lack of basic documents. For others, it’s unclear asset titling, outdated beneficiaries, or uncoordinated strategies between professionals.

This is where professional guidance makes a difference.


4. Talk to Your Team

Legacy planning is a team sport. Your financial advisor, estate attorney, tax advisor, and insurance professional each play a role. If you don’t have a full team yet, that’s okay—we can help you build one.

And yes, as part of Tandem Financial Team, we also bring in-house insurance expertise to the table.


5. Put It in Motion

Legacy plans are meant to evolve. The most important thing is to start.

We recommend:

  • Having a strategy session to review your current state

  • Talking with your key advisors about your goals

  • Updating key assets and documents to reflect your intentions


From Confusion to Clarity

We’ve been brought in too many times after the fact—when a loved one has passed and no one knows where anything is, what the intentions were, or how to untangle the mess. Those legacies get eroded by fees, taxes, and time.

But we’ve also helped families create clear, coordinated plans that pass down not just wealth—but confidence, clarity, and purpose.


Your legacy deserves more than guesswork. Let's take the first step together.
Schedule your Strategy Session here.