Positive Estate Planning

Gears "Positive Attitude"

Scientific studies establish a wide range of benefits which flow from a positive attitude. At a time when many people focus on worst-case scenarios and gloomy predictions relative to COVID-19, resist the pull of negativity. Embrace the beneficial results of positivity. This is not just an attempt to make yourself feel better in spite of reality. But rather, advice to take full advantage of the proven benefits of positivity. This post covers positive estate planning.

You can increase not only your own sense of well-being with a positive attitude but also that of your children or other beneficiaries. Create a positive estate plan designed to promote happiness. This will enable your heirs to live healthier and more productive lives. Fortunately, if you tend to dwell on the negative, you can learn to adopt the power of positive thinking. Surround yourself with positive people. Deliberately engage in positive self-talk. And live a healthy lifestyle!

Health Benefits of a Positive Estate

According to the Mayo Clinic, positive thinking offers a multitude of health benefits. These include increased life span, lower rates of depression, less stress, greater resistance to bug such as the common cold and psychological and physical well-being. What’s more, you may enjoy greater cardiovascular health. Happiness, a byproduct of a positive attitude, boosts the immune system. Studies show that happy people exposed to illnesses are less likely to become sick or have milder symptoms than others deemed “less happy.

Impact of Positivity on Success

A well-known researcher in the field of psychology, Dr. Martin Seligman, found that people who are happy and more satisfied with their lives enjoy better outcomes in school, work, social relationships, health, and life in general. Negative emotions narrow our perspective. They drive us toward a single, instinctive action (reacting to danger).

On the other hand, positive emotions accompany by a broadened perspective. This allows us to see and examine a variety of options before choosing the one we believe to be best. Optimists are more likely to establish clear life goals. They also focus on different ways to reach their goals. And they believe that their goals will become reality. Hopeful people view negative events as temporary setbacks or isolated unfortunate events. As a result, they are more resilient and able to handle challenges, viewing them as learning experiences. They have confidence that they can improve their lives. Thus, they are more likely to do just that.

Create a Positive Estate Plan

Rather than focusing on negative goals, such as preventing a spendthrift child from wasting his or her inheritance, view your estate planning as a way to pass along a positive legacy. One method for doing so is to create an ethical will which shares your important values, religious beliefs, life lessons, and blessings. An ethical will, in written or video form, could be shared during your lifetime to draw family members closer together. Or, it could be a meaningful gift you leave for family members after you pass away. The positive emotions emanating from such a gift could enhance relationships.

Nuts & Bolts of a Positive Estate

In addition, you can provide funds for activities that create positive experiences for your beneficiaries, ultimately enhancing their wellbeing. Although providing financial security for family members and loved ones is clearly a positive goal, rather than simply thinking of your wealth as a way for your children or loved ones to acquire more “stuff,” you can be more deliberate and thoughtful about your estate planning, setting aside money for meaningful experiences, e.g., family trips, schooling, or volunteer activities, that will allow your beneficiaries to flourish and develop their strengths and interests. In fact, research shows that experiential gifts (gifts of events that recipients experience) result in a stronger relationship between the giver and the gift recipient than material gifts, even if the gift giver does not experience the event with the recipient.

About Skvarna Law Firm in Glendora & Upland, California

Skvarna Law Firm operates offices in Glendora and Upland, California. We provide legal services. We cover San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Orange and Riverside Counties. This includes several cities. Upland, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, Fontana, Colton, Rialto, Chino, Chino Hills, Glendora, Claremont, Pomona, La Verne, Montclair, San Dimas, Azusa, Covina, West Covina, Diamond Bar, Walnut, La Puente, Corona, Norco & Mira Loma. Visit  SkvarnaLaw.com to learn more.