A Declaration of Independence for Your Family

Each Fourth of July, we honor the audacity and foresight of the founders who set out to create a new future. The Declaration of Independence wasn’t just an act of rebellion—it was a bold, strategic framework for freedom, security, and self-governance.

That same spirit can guide your family today. By taking matters into your own hands and creating a Family Wealth & Legacy Plan™, you ensure your loved ones won’t be at the mercy of court battles, governmental oversight, or public scrutiny if something happens to you.

Let’s explore how the principles that built this country can shape your modern legacy.

Freedom from Government Control Over Your Family’s Future

A core tenet of the United States Declaration of Independence is that we are all endowed with the inalienable right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. As Americans, we have always been proud of our freedom, and when it comes to our homes, we all believe that American families have the right to govern themselves and make their own choices related to their family’s future — not strangers in positions of authority. But, what most aren’t are aware is that without an estate plan:

• A judge decides who raises your children. Meaning a stranger, who doesn’t know your family, your children and may not share your values, will be making the important decision of who is best suited to raise your kids.
• State laws determine who inherits your assets, regardless of your wishes. In Illinois, that means that your spouse will receive 50% of your property, while your children will receive the other 50%. If you’d like to see the law itself and who would receive your property, click here: 755 ILCS 5/2-1.
• Your family may go without if bills pile up, your spouse struggles with a mortgage, or children need educational funds. It takes time for funds to become accessible or released during the probate process, and the consequences can be difficult for families to navigate if they are in dire need of recieving money quickly.
• Assets might go unclaimed and be lost, simply due to a lack of clear documentation. Right now, $70 billion is being held nationwide by each State’s Department of Unclaimed Property, and a majority of these funds were accounts that families weren’t aware existed after their relative’s passing. For more information and a deeper dive on how to avoid your accounts from being lost to the state, click here.
• The probate process is public, exposing your family’s private matters and most personal details to the general public, government, and your creditors.

Put the power back in your hands. But remember: not all estate plans are built equally.

Your Legacy Should Be a Living Document

The Constitution has endured for 238 years because it was designed to adapt as our nation evolves and grows over time. Like our constitutional democracy, your estate plan needs to grow and evolve with your life, family, wealth, and circumstances over time as well. Naturally, our lives look very different from decade to decade, and your plan needs to adapt along with the times — regardless of whether it’s your assets, family, or laws that change over time.

FWLLS offers Life & Legacy Planning that includes:

• Regular review of your plan and life circumstances at no charge
• Detailed asset inventories and systems to give you the power to keep your plan up to date over time without any additional fees
• Personalized legal oversight and a system of scheduled meetings over time to ensure your plan is up-to-date, at no addtional charge.

It’s not just about a one-time exercise and stagnant form documents. It’s an ongoing effort to monitor and maintain your plan to ensure your plan will truly work when it matters most.

A Modern Bill of Rights for the People You Love

What would a “Bill of Rights” look like for your family?

With a FWLLS Plan, you ensure:

• Clear guidance to design a plan, that goes well beyond basic documents
• Asset inventories to prevent the loss of your life savings and assets
• Structured inheritances to protect and preserve your wealth against impulsive and irresponsible decisions
• A Legacy Interview — your personal stories, values, and wisdom, recorded for future generations
• Access plans for digital accounts and passwords
• Ongoing advisor support to keep your plan current and up-to-date

If you want to understand why planning goes well beyond legal documents and truly matters? Kiplinger’s new series on creating an “Estate Planning Playbook” explains how these customized roadmaps help families manage technical details and emotional stress — and why they’re increasingly replacing one-off wills.

Secure the Future with the Same Courage That Built a Nation

Independence didn’t happen by accident — it was declared, meticulously planned, debated, memorialized, and fiercely defended. If you want similar freedoms for your family— freedom from conflict, confusion, and public exposure — you must choose to act.

At Family Wealth & Legacy Legal Solutions (FWLLS), we partner with you to build and maintain a living and breathing plan that evolves with you and your family over time, reflects your values, and protects your loved ones when they need it most.

Take Action This Independence Day

Don’t let another year slip by. Secure the freedoms your family deserves.

Begin with a Strategy Session, where you’ll explore what could happen to your assets and loved ones without a current plan—and learn how to build a strategy that aligns with your goals.

Start today by booking your complimentary 15‑minute consultation

If you enjoyed reading this article and made it to the end, please leave a comment and let us know your thoughts and your biggest takeaway. If you think your family and friends could benefit, please share it on social media to spread the word.

This article is a service of Family Wealth & Legacy Legal Solutions (FWLLS). At FWLLS, we do not just draft documents; we ensure you make educated, informed and empowered decisions for yourself and the people you love. That’s why we offer a Family Wealth & Legacy Strategy Session™, during which you will get educated and begin to prepare to avoid life’s most common legal problems and get a plan in place to make the best possible choices for the people you love. You can begin by calling our office today to schedule a Family Wealth & Legacy Strategy Session and mention this article to find out how to get this $900 session at a significantly discounted rate, or even for free.