News Archives
December 2011
The Wealth of Your Life guidebook featured as a resource in December Horizons Magazine - December 15, 2011
Kentucky pastor Desiree Youngblood wrote a great piece on ethical wills this month for Horizons Magazine, the magazine for Presbyterian women. She helps her readers imagine themselves creating a legacy letter by asking them to answer the question of why they are writing. She offers this list to consider:
I am writing this ethical will because:
I love you.
I want to share my values and beliefs with you.
I want to share my life stories with you.
I want to share my dreams and hopes for you.
I want you to know how important you are to me.
I want to recount my life to you.
I want to be remembered long after I am gone.
Very helpful, Desiree. Thank you for a lovely job.
October 2011
“Open Mic” interview prompts reflections on good conversation - October 26, 2011
It was a privilege to be interviewed today by Appreciative Inquiry expert and coach Ed Jacobson. You can listen to the audio here. A good interview can bring new insights to the person being interviewed, and that’s happened today when Ed quoted – or paraphrased – poet Ed Whyte who said, “You know you have found your calling when you have discovered the kinds of conversations you want to be in. ”
I loved this quote. As I said at the close of the interview today, it speaks directly to why I do what I do – the work provides an official excuse to have extraordinary conversations. This is not true only for me, but for anyone who introduces the notion of an ethical will to a client or a parent or a friend. The idea itself, once understood, can be a lever for very meaningful conversation – even if the other person does not commit to creating anything.
In fact, that is just what happened earlier this week, as reported by a financial advisor who used The Wealth of Your Life and the LifeLegacy Cards as props to prompt discussion with a couple who are her clients. She wrote, ” They really enjoyed the discussion and it brought back lots of memories. It helped me to understand how “stuck” they are right now [because of some of their commitments.] I asked if they would do the ethical will and they said, honestly, no. At least they were honest. But they remarked how much they enjoyed the discussion [and] having your materials made the visit that much richer.”
What a powerful reminder that good conversation brings its own rewards.
December 2010
Wealth of Your Life made a Top 12 List Today - December 16, 2010
The Wealth of Your Life: A Step-by-Step Guide for Creating Your Ethical Will made a list assembled by Vanguard financial advisor Steve Vernon, entitled, “12 Books to Give to Retirees (or Those About to Retire.) Steve’s blog shows up on CBS Money Watch.
Personal Legacy Advisors Newsletter - December 1, 2010
Musings on listening, great tips and holiday ideas for using LifeLegacy Cards and the schedule of December web classes on ethical wills, given by Susan Turnbull.
Ethical Wills, Susan Turnbull in Philadelphia Inquirer Today - December 1, 2010
Stories and information on the appeal of ethical wills abound in this article in The Philadelphia Inquirer. Susan Turnbull is quoted, remarking on her view of the increase in interest, measured by google search results.
November 2010
Financial Planner walks the talk and writes his own ethical will - November 30, 2010
Dave Caruso, founder of Coastal Capital, has been a great supporter of Susan Turnbull, buying her materials for his clients, hosting a luncheon with her as a guest speaker, and talking up the idea of writing an ethical will. Yet until this week, he hadn’t started his own and the deadline of the blog post spurred him to action. His scenario is everyman’s! And reading what he says to his wife and children is reminder how much can be said in a small amount of space in a short period of time. Read the blog post to see how successful he is in getting across his vitality and his love, while asking forgiveness for his foibles.
October 2010
Getting “Last Words” Right - October 26, 2010
An article in the Charleston Gazette is a good introduction to the concept of ethical wills and the work of Susan Turnbull.
September 2010
Barron’s highlights Ethical Wills and Susan Turnbull’s expertise - September 19, 2010
Out today, this article in Barron’s is a really good overview of ethical wills and lists some tips from Susan Turnbull on how to create one.
September Newsletter: Classes on Ethical Wills; Introducing LifeLegacy Cards - September 13, 2010
Click the link to see the schedule of classes this week about ethical wills and letters of wishes to trustees. Plus, take a look at the beautiful new conversation prompt cards: LifeLegacy Cards.
June 2010
Vanguard Charitable article highlights work of Susan Turnbull - June 23, 2010
Brad Caswell, COO of the Vanguard Charitable Endowment Fund, emphasizes the importance of good communication when it comes to setting a philanthropic example for heirs. He mentions Susan Turnbull and her advocacy of the ethical will as an effective tool for articulating, reinforcing and perpetuating the values that led to the decision to give.
April 2010
The Atlantic Trust Advisor highlights ethical will expertise of Susan Turnbull - April 21, 2010
This month, The Advisor magazine provided a great overview of the ethical wills, quoting these tips by Susan Turnbull:
1. Start today. If you were not here tomorrow, what is the most important thing you would not want left unsaid. Write it down – you’ve begun.
2. Relax. You’re not trying to write for the Pulitzer Prize. What you create is a gift of yourself, made for those you love, not for an imaginary panel passing judgment on your life or your writing.
3. Ask yourself: What do I want to make sure my loved ones know and have in writing?
4. Consider the process a work in progress. Don’t let the feeling that it has to be “perfect” from the beginning paralyze you.
5. Be yourself. You cannot bequeath what you never owned to begin with, right?
6. Be careful. Be loving. The reach of your words is unknowable.
7. Make sure it’s easy to find. Keep the file accessible, so you can add to it easily. Either keep it with your legal papers or affix a note there about where to find it. You want to make sure your words find their intended audience.
8. Share it! Consider sharing it during your lifetime, even as you know you may add to it or change it. You will be rewarded with many positive consequences.
March 2010
Dr. Dale Atkins highlights Ethical Will guide by Susan Turnbull - March 7, 2010
Today Show commentator and author of Sanity Savors: Tips for Women to Lead a Balanced Life, highlighted ethical wills in her March web column and recommended The Wealth of Your Life as a useful guide.
February 2010
Frank Purdue’s Ethical Will highlighted - February 15, 2010
Biography on CNBC is airing a show about Perdue Farms founder Frank Purdue today at 2 pm EST. One of the primary ways they are promoting this segment is by displaying the ethical will he wrote for his grandchildren. Read it here.
December 2009
Times Herald column promotes ethical wills and recommends Susan Turnbull’s guidebook - December 21, 2009
Estate Planning attorney Matthew Wallace explores the dilemma parents face when their heirs do not share their core values. Should they give their material assets to promote values with which they don’t agree?
Susan Turnbull interviewed for Farm Journal Legacy Project - December 9, 2009
Perhaps because of agriculture’s close ties to the land and nature, few industries match its strong moral, ethical and religious underpinnings. In many cases, it is those beliefs and culture that bring the next generation back to the farm after working elsewhere. Yet, as agriculture grows more competitive, even on the farm, values may be buried in the day-to-day scramble to get things done. At risk is the survival of the family’s soul.
Susan Turnbull accepted into FPA Speakers Bureau - December 2, 2009
Susan has been sanctioned as an approved speaker by the Financial Planning Association. Competency areas: Communication and Relationship Skills. CFP Board Topics: Client Trust and Estate Planning.
Advisor Perspective Newsletter: 10 Ways to Connect with Your Client’s Children - December 1, 2009
There are lots of good ideas in this article for advisors. # 5 on this list of 10 ideas is to encourage the creation of personal legacy documents, and includes comments by Susan Turnbull.
November 2009
National Center for Family Philanthropy Newsletter - November 17, 2009
NCFP publicized the publication of Across Generations: A Five Step Guide for Creating an Expression of Donor Intent.
August 2009
Newsday: Where There’s an Ethical Will There’s a Way to Add Your Valued Beliefs - August 8, 2009
A quote from Susan led off this article in the Long Island newspaper, Newsday: “An ethical will is really a love letter…”
CFA Magazine: Closing the Generation Gap - August 1, 2009
Susan was quoted in this article about how advisors can build deeper intergenerational relationships with clients and their families.
November 2008
Financial advisor Rick Kahler reflects on the experience of writing his ethical will - November 8, 2008
Rick Kahler is a nationally known financial advisor who has authored several books about financial life planning, focused especially on how often unconscious “money scripts” control people’s attitudes and behavior. He was a participant in a day-long workshop that Susan led in partnership Money Quotient.
July 2008
Research Magazine: Profiles in Success - July 31, 2008
Susan was highlighted in this magazine for financial advisors. “Ethical wills, first popularized in the Middle Ages, are making a comeback – linking the “hard” and “soft” sides of estate and financial planning. Leading the charge? Susan Turnbull…“
