What is a legacy letter?

A legacy letter is a document that preserves in writing information you want to share with loved ones or friends. The most common legacy letter is the ethical will. With roots in Jewish tradition dating back centuries, ethical wills have grown in popularity since the events of 9/11. An ethical will passes on to heirs your hopes and values in much the same way a legal will distributes possessions. A wonderful complement to a legal will, an ethical will ensures that your voice is heard, in your own words.

Legacy letters are not just last testaments, however. They are appropriate at other points in your life as well – the death of a close relative or friend, anniversaries, birthdays, weddings or any other occasion you wish to commemorate.

What is the difference between a legacy letter and a history?

A legacy letter usually focuses on your hopes and values; a history focuses on the events, people and circumstances that have shaped your life. Histories are extremely flexible. They can include your entire life’s story, or just portions of it. Histories are almost always more elaborate than legacy letters and take longer to complete.

How does the process work?

All of our projects begin with a free, no obligation consultation. We’ll discuss your goals for the project, where the information is coming from, how much of it may be already done, your role in the project and your budget and deadlines. We’ll offer some general suggestions in the initial meeting and give you time to consider our recommendations.

Should you want to proceed with the project, we’ll prepare a free, no-obligation estimate, including cost and timeline, for your consideration. If we agree to a mutually satisfactory project plan, we will begin the project with a planning meeting.

A legacy letter generally involves a brief planning session, filling out a questionnaire, interview, transcription, writing, review and re-writing before the document is finished.

A history is usually a five-step process: 1) planning; 2) collecting information/interviews/transcription; 3) first draft/client review; 4) revisions/final client approval; 5) layout/printing.

What does it cost?

Although each project is unique, a basic legacy letter costs around $500 and a short history starts around $1,000. Payment plans are available.

How long will it take?

Legacy letters generally are completed within 30 days; histories take longer. Short histories can be completed in a few months, while longer projects can take 18 months or more.

Why should I hire you?

With apologies to David Letterman, we offer...

Top 10 reasons why When Words Matter should write your history:

1. We are experienced, skilled professionals who specialize in saving life stories.
2. We will help connect you to your ancestors and descendents through your life stories.
3. When you hire us, it will get done, within your budget and on time. Why put it off and keep shuffling it around on your to-do list?
4. We respect your privacy and will respectfully balance your privacy concerns with your desire to “get the word out” about your life and accomplishments. We treat every conversation with you as private and confidential.
5. Our writing is clear, concise and accurate. Your story will be presented in a factual, readable and engaging style.
6. We view every project as uniquely interesting, and will work closely with you to ensure that the final product fulfills your expectations.
7. Other people, who write their own biographies, spend at least six years to do so. We can finish your project in a fraction of that time.
8. Family members are often more open with strangers, especially a skilled interviewer with decades of experience and a reputation for fairness and objectivity.
9. We provide the motivation, structure and encouragement to complete your project.
10. We will take facts of your life and turn them into a valued document that will preserve forever your unique life.