During his Wisconsin Family Business Center presentation, Mark Shiller led a powerful and highly interactive discussion about wealth and the sometimes complicated emotions that come with it, specifically when passing it on to the next generation.

In the Midwest especially, there’s often a stigma around wealth. Families may downplay or even hide it, which can make conversations around inheritance uncomfortable or even avoided altogether.

But the truth is, one of the most caring things you can do for your family is to communicate clearly and thoughtfully about your wishes for the future.

That’s where the Letter of Intent (LOI) comes in.

Often overlooked, a Letter of Intent can be one of the most heartfelt and personal documents in all of estate planning. It’s your chance to offer not only instructions but guidance to share your values, hopes, and intentions that a will or trust simply can’t capture.

Whether you’re an individual expressing wishes for your children’s care, or a couple outlining dreams for your family’s legacy, a Letter of Intent provides clarity during an emotionally charged time.

But imagine the following scenario: instead of your loved ones just reading your words, they get to see your face, hear your voice, and feel your presence.

That’s the power of video.

Pairing a Letter of Intent with a video message transforms a document into a living expression of your values. It adds emotional resonance, reduces the potential for misunderstandings, and can even help prevent conflict by showing tone, body language, and sincerity.

Similar to your estate plan, your video message is something that you should build upon over time. It is rarely a set it and forget it scenario.

Video is dynamic, and it should evolve with your story.

In a recent project, we worked with multiple family members and key employees to create a film centered on the patriarch’s work and life story. In reflecting on his early career, he shared, “In college they were teaching me how to go and work for someone else, and I didn’t want to work for someone else!”

It was a powerful moment, and the film was shared broadly with younger generations over the years. But as time went on, an unintended message started to emerge.

Some of the grandchildren began to question the value of college altogether—even though there had been certain benefits set up for the grandchildren to have their college expenses paid for. After all, their successful entrepreneur grandfather didn’t need it so why should they?

He believed what he said in the film, but his truth unintentionally became the example his grandchildren latched onto.

In his letter of intent he shared his desire for his grandchildren to pursue higher education, and he hoped that the resources he put in place for them and his words would lead them to appreciate education even though it wasn’t necessarily the right path for himself. 

We filmed a new segment where he directly addressed the role of education in today’s world, why he still believes in it, and what he hopes his grandchildren will gain from it. We edited that message into the existing film, bringing his true intentions into focus.

That’s what makes video so powerful. It captures not just what you say, but how you mean it. Your legacy isn’t just about assets. It’s about meaning. Your voice, your values, your hopes—these deserve more than just paper. 

The next time you sit down to consider your estate plan, explore the idea of utilizing video to potentially support your Letter of Intent. Not just as a way to document your wishes but as a way to connect, inspire, and guide your family long after you're gone. 

About Lasting Legacies

Lasting Legacies is a full-service video-production company specializing in working alongside families and family-owned businesses.