Guides

Practical, plain-English guides to capturing a life story — yours or a loved one's — no writing experience required.

Legacy meaning: what does it really mean to leave a legacy?

Understanding the exact meaning of legacy begins with separating it from your financial estate. While most people hear the word and think of money, pr…

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Leaving a legacy: how to leave a legacy for your family

Ask people near the end of a long life what they are most proud of, and they rarely mention their bank balances. They mention the relationships they n…

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50 legacy interview questions that unlock a lifetime of memories

Good legacy interview questions are specific. "Tell me about your childhood" freezes people; "What did Saturday morning sound like in your house?" ope…

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How to write a memoir (even if you've never written before)

You don't need a dramatic life to write a memoir. You don't need an MFA, a tragic backstory, or permission from anyone. The most-loved memoirs aren't …

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Personal legacy: what will you be remembered for?

Your personal legacy is the answer to a question most of us avoid until later life, then can't stop thinking about: what will I be remembered for? The…

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Family legacy: preserving your story for your grandchildren

A family legacy is the river of story, value, and memory that runs from one generation to the next. When it's tended, grandchildren grow up knowing wh…

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How to write your life story, one memory at a time

The biggest myth about how to write your life story is that you must start at the beginning and get every date right. You don't. The people who actual…

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Letters to grandchildren: leaving words that last

Of everything you could leave behind, a letter to your grandchildren in your own voice may be the most opened, re-read, and treasured. Estate lawyers …

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Preserve your legacy online — safely and privately

Many older adults hesitate to preserve their legacy online, and for a sensible reason: not everything belongs to everyone. The good news is that prese…

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Daily reflection: a friendly history of the card reading

Long before the internet served horoscopes with breakfast, Americans read fortunes at kitchen tables. A deck of cards and a knowing aunt were standard…

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