Resources
Tools and inspiration for families.
Emotional Estate Plan Checklist
An Emotional Estate Plan is the emotional side of estate planning, to resolve issues that weigh families down and cause fragmented relationships.
Estate plans help families prepare an end-of-life plan for property, assets, and finances. But what about the emotional side of illness, aging, and end-of-life? It is essential that we also prepare emotionally, that we nourish and repair our relationships, and that we turn our regrets and longings into healing and forgiveness. An emotional estate plan focuses on the needs of the heart and soul, now and in the future. The legacy you leave for your family goes beyond your tangible assets. It is the sum of your relationships, values, beliefs, contributions, and actions that carry forward to future generations.
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​An emotional estate plan can be completed by an aging or ill adult, or a family as a whole. Family caregivers are particularly well positioned to accompany their loved one this journey.
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Books
Transitional Wisdom: A guide to healthy aging and completing life with dignity is an inspiring yet practical guide for anyone who is aging, dealing with serious illness or has a loved one facing a life-threatening illness or age-related decline. Morningstar Holmes shares moving personal stories of the dying process as well as information on how to create a family care plan, resolving the past and healing the whole family, finding the right health-care professionals, and estate planning. She provides a comprehensive, practical guide to help you plan the final stages of your life or that of a loved one.
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The Transitional Wisdom Action Journal is the companion workbook. This journal is designed to help you explore your thoughts and beliefs about life and death, reduce your fears, and become proactive in planning for your senior years—or those of a loved one. The Action Journal will help you create a plan that includes medical, legal, financial, emotional, and spiritual issues. Anyone who is aging, dealing with serious illness, or has a loved one facing a life-threatening illness or age-related decline will benefit from using this journal.
Case Studies
These stories are different but are connected by the intimacy created at the end of life. Each of these people completed their life with dignity.
When Sarah shared her truth with her father he was able to make amends, to ask for and receive forgiveness. They healed a deep wound and restored a loving relationship with one another. He died at peace, with no regret in the end.
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Sean received a gift of a lasting piece of wisdom from his father, something he will carry with him for the remainder of his life. His dad left him with a glow in his heart and a deep love and appreciation for the depth of his father’s love.
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Mary had a full life. In the end, there was a joining of the generations, validating the strength and love of family.
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