It Has Been Such a Good Life”: The Legacy Your Loved Ones Need
When Anna Harp lost her father, she didn’t get to say goodbye—but she found a final note that changed everything. Read how one simple sentence can shape a legacy of love, and how you can do the same for your family.
“It Has Been Such a Good Life”: The Legacy Your Loved Ones Need
When Anna Harp lost her father, Rudolph Clausing, she didn’t get to say goodbye. It was January 2021, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Her father, already battling lung disease, contracted the virus. Strict hospital protocols meant his family couldn't be by his side in his final days.
Anna was just 27. Her father, only 66. And then, suddenly, he was gone.
But in the aftermath, as her mother gathered his belongings, she found something unexpected—a notebook with a simple handwritten note:
“It has been such a good life.”
Seven words. That was it. And yet, for Anna, it meant everything.
This moment revealed something profoundly human: in the face of loss, our loved ones crave more than legal documents or financial instructions—they want connection, clarity, and a piece of us they can hold onto.
What Your Family REALLY Values After You're Gone
In the immediate aftermath of a loss, money becomes secondary. What families truly need is guidance, love, and peace of mind.
When you die without sharing your deeper thoughts and wishes, your loved ones may be left with uncertainty that lasts for years. They’ll wonder what you would have wanted, whether you were proud of them, or how you hoped they'd carry on. That emotional void can be far more damaging than the absence of a financial inheritance.
Those who struggle most after a death aren’t always the ones with financial worries—they’re often the ones who feel emotionally adrift.
The True Legacy of Love: Guidance, Not Guesswork
The best way to support your family is through clear, heartfelt communication.
This doesn’t just mean funeral instructions or asset lists. It means sharing your values, your stories, and your intentions—so your family feels your presence even after you’re gone.
Clear communication:
- Helps loved ones feel grounded and confident in their decisions
- Prevents conflict by reducing confusion or misinterpretation
- Becomes a lasting source of comfort, wisdom, and unity
Unfortunately, traditional estate planning overlooks this emotional and relational layer. It focuses on forms, taxes, and titles—ignoring the heart of what truly matters to families.
Life & Legacy Planning: A Real Plan for the People You Love
At DeCosimo Law, we offer something more: Life & Legacy Planning—a holistic approach to preparing your loved ones for both the legal and emotional journey after your passing.
✅ You Create Clarity, Not Just Documents
Your Life & Legacy Plan ensures that your family knows:
- Where to find documents
- How to access accounts
- What to do next
Even more importantly, they’ll understand your wishes—for your children’s care, your family values, and the traditions and stories you want preserved.
✅ You Prepare Them for Real-Life Financial Challenges
Your plan will address real-world questions:
- How will your spouse manage the mortgage?
- What happens with your business?
- How will your children’s education be funded?
These answers aren’t found in legal forms—they come from planning done with heart and clarity.
✅ You Leave a Piece of Yourself
Most of our clients say the most meaningful part of their plan is the Life & Legacy Recording—a guided opportunity to speak directly to your loved ones.
Whether you share family history, encouragement, or simply express love, this becomes a cherished keepsake that preserves your voice, your heart, and your story.
Unlike Anna’s father's note, which was found by chance, your message will be created intentionally—to support your family when they need it most.
✅ You Give Them a Guide, and a Relationship to Rely On
Our planning includes systems for ongoing updates and support. Life changes—and your plan should change with it. You’ll have a trusted advisor by your side throughout your life, and your family will have someone to call when the time comes.
If for any reason we can’t be there, we’re part of the Personal Family Lawyer® network—a national group of like-minded attorneys using the same Life & Legacy Planning process. Someone will always be there to help.
This ongoing relationship is what truly makes the difference.
Let’s Build a Plan That Leaves No Questions—Only Love
If you want to leave behind more than documents—if you want to leave a true legacy—start now. Life is unpredictable. But your love doesn’t have to be.
At DeCosimo Law, we’ll help you create a Life & Legacy Plan that protects your family legally, prepares them emotionally, and gives them the greatest gift of all: peace of mind and your love.
👉 Schedule your complimentary 15-minute discovery call today—and start building the legacy your loved ones will cherish.
“It has been such a good life.”
This article is a service of DeCosimo Law, a Personal Family Lawyer® Firm. We don’t just draft documents—we help you make informed, empowered decisions about life and death for yourself and the people you love. That’s why we offer a Life & Legacy Planning Session, during which you’ll get more financially organized than ever before and make the best choices for your family.
The content is sourced from Personal Family Lawyer® for use by Personal Family Lawyer® firms. This material is for educational purposes only and not intended as ERISA, tax, legal, or investment advice. For legal advice specific to your situation, please consult an attorney directly.