WO2008046157A1

WO2008046157A1 - Creation of structured legacies

Info

Publication number: WO2008046157A1
Application number: PCT/AU2007/001595
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert Musgrave; Teilo Berquier
Original assignee: LEGENIS Pty Ltd
Current assignee: LEGENIS Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2006-10-19
Filing date: 2007-10-19
Publication date: 2008-04-24
Anticipated expiration: 2009-04-19

Abstract

A method for creating structured legacies for individuals, families and organisations including the steps of communicating legacy issues/choices and determining their values, legacy beneficiaries, legacy assets, creating the legacy action plan, executing the legacy action plan and maintaining the structured legacy over time. The method can be implemented using a physical system and/or an electronic media. The step of determining the dominant values uses a sequenced comparison test of value statements to produce the dominant value list. The steps of determining the legacy beneficiaries and assets use a structured introspective historical narrative test and a prompted example led register to clarify the beneficiaries and assets. The legacy action plan is a living document that describes all the actions and resources required to create, communicate and maintain the structured legacy. The method combines all theses steps into a comprehensive process that assists suitable skilled individuals and organisations to provide legacy creation services to the market.

Description

Creation of Structured Legacies

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a business process to enable financial planners and other professionals to provide legacy creation services, more particularly, to a collection of documented instructions, questionnaires/test and template documents focused on the client/client organisation. The invention is preferably embodied as a database driven website.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Individuals have been creating personal legacies for thousands of years, however very few of these legacies have been structured or have endured in a meaningful way. Legacy creation has been left to the individual to achieve on their own, or with the support of their religion and/or family. While there are a small number organisations and individuals that provide commercial services relating to the creation of personal legacies, a legacy creation marketplace does not yet exist.

A structured legacy is not a will and is not an estate plan. A will is a legal document for transfer of assets on death prepared by solicitors. A structured legacy involves the integration of multi disciplinary services to give meaning to an individual's life now, for the rest of their life and beyond. Legacies created before now have been prepared without the benefit of a structured and researched process. The process integrates everything a legacy can be, such as a life of purpose, improved family relations, sound financial and estate planning, telling one's life story, active philanthropic and community involvement, succession planing and living one's beliefs.

Many industries provide services to those creating legacies, but the services are piecemeal and misaligned to the purpose of creating a structured personal legacy. Services are offered in insurance, legal, accounting, estate planning, creative writing and personal development. These multidisciplinary service providers do not, and cannot provide, a unified client focused solution to those wishing to create an enduring structured legacy. The current position is quite understandable, as each of these providers operate in their own industry and issue specific silo. They do not have the understanding, tools and processes required to provide a clients need view of legacy creation. Rather, they focus on just one area, such as the legal will, life insurance cover, the writing of ones memoirs, etc.

Individuals seeking to create a structured legacy are currently required to engage the services to a number of providers, brief each provider, receive advice and then somehow integrate that advice into some form of structured legacy. The complexity and potential cost of this exercise has kept the potential of a structured legacy limited to a very few highly motivated and wealthy individuals.

Most legacies are more about values and life experiences than financial assets, and that over 30% of people believed that the most meaningful legacies were those left by immediate family members. Furthermore, it was discovered that many would wish to create a living structured personal legacy but did not know how to go about it.

Based on this research and the substantial intergenerational transfer of funds ($42 Trillion USD in the US, proportional in other western nations) to and from the Baby Boomers over the next 20 years, the latent need to create structured legacies will need to be addressed as an industry rather than a niche collection of products and services from other industries.

The need for Baby Boomers to find meaning in their lives is support by the popularity of books covering the area of living legacy creation. "The Power Years" is a perfect example. Other books relate to life purpose through charitable giving, the best we have found is "Inspired Philanthropy".

Like many emerging service industries structured legacy creation is multidisciplinary and as such it requires innovative processes and methods to meet the market need. The immaturity of the industry is reinforced by the lack of any US or Australian patents in the area of legacy creation and the limited number of patents in the areas of Estate Planning, Succession Planning and Life Insurance. There are many suppliers, concepts and products that deal around the edges of the legacy space. Writing life stories, storing your DNA, video wills, will packs, ethical wills, the family love letter and software that helps you write your life story. The issue is that they are all focused on a single niche or death topic, and do not provide an integrated solution for the client.

Some financial planners (http ://www. empoweredwealth.com/ is a good example) have values based sales models and divide a client's life into areas, not a new concept, but it is the most advanced. However they are still focused on the assets for estate planning, and are not looking at the entire life of a client that goes well beyond simple estate planning.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus, embodied as a paper system and/or a computerised system, that provides a single process that may be completed to manage the creation and maintenance of structured legacies, or at least to provide an alternative to existing systems.

It is possible to solve at least some of the existing problems by focusing on the individual/organisation using a proscribed process to uncover their values, assets and desired beneficiaries, to determine which services and products are appropriate, and then managing the execution of those services, potentially by a number of parties, to create and maintain a structured legacy. Practitioners, organisations, self help services and other users of the method can engage with clients (individuals, families, organisations or other structures) and effectively deliver legacy information, advice, products and services.

In one aspect the invention resides in a method having steps including guiding clients to discover their values, legacy beneficiaries and legacy assets. A step of discovering their values includes a test that when completed by the client displays the values relevant to that client for legacy creation. A step of discovering their legacy beneficiaries includes a further test that when completed by the client displays the potential beneficiaries for that client's legacy. A step of discovering their legacy assets includes a further test that when completed by the client displays the legacy assets that will constitute the assets of the client's legacy in a number of categories. These steps generate an amount of information that is then entered into a legacy action plan.

The method may further include the step of creating the legacy action plan such that a menu of legacy products, services and actions is presented to the client and choices can be made in alignment with the client's values to manage the legacy assets for the benefit of the legacy beneficiaries. The legacy action plan is then completed such that the client's values are expressed and the products, services and actions are clearly identified with resources, costs and dates, the beneficiaries are unambiguously detailed and the legacy assets are also unambiguously detailed in a register. The legacy action plan also provides a schedule of review actions and dates. The review steps provide a list of actions and resources required to ensure that the legacy action plan continues to reflect the intent of the client's legacy.

In another aspect the invention resides in steps required to create a structured legacy for a client. This includes a step of issuing instructions to external service providers, such that duplication of explanation is reduced and the service providers have ample information to perform the tasks allocated to them. The step also provides a mechanism for the external service providers to encapsulate their efforts in a structured form such that integration into the client's legacy action plan is a simple process.

The invention also resides in a computer system, such as a website, which implements a method as defined above.

The invention further resides in any alternative combination of features that are indicated in this specification. All equivalents of these features are deemed to be included whether or not explicitly set out. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the invention will be described with respect to the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is a flow diagram showing the steps of a summary process, FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of steps to be performed in an inform process,

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of steps to be performed in a guide process,

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of steps to be performed to discover the information required to create a structured personal legacy within the guide process,

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of steps to be performed to determine the objectives of a structured personal legacy within the guide process,

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of steps to be performed in a create process,

FIGS. 7 and 8 are flow diagrams of steps to be performed when required to complete a legacy action plan,

FIGS. 9 and 10 are flow diagrams of steps to be performed to complete a maintain process, FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing an example with use cases, and

FIGS. 12 to 37 are screen shots which relate to the use cases.

DESCRIPTION PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Although the invention is described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it should be understood that various modifications, additions and alterations may be made to the invention by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

The method could be embodied in part or in full in a variety of ways, as the core business process for a firm to supply legacy services, as a software product that can be self completed by clients or as a process to be licensed to practitioners in fields related to legacy services, such as lawyers, financial planners and life coaches. The preferred embodiment described herein is that of a firm providing legacy creation services direct to the market. The firm could base its core business operations on the four processes of the method as shown in Figure 1.

1. Inform, about structured legacies 2. Guide, clients to become ready to create a structured legacy

3. Create, a structured legacy

4. Maintain, clients structured legacies

As in Figure 2 the initial activities performed by the organisation would be those to Inform the market and prospective clients. Firstly the firm would raise the profile of raise the profile of Legacy (Item 1.1 within Figure 2) concepts within the target market using Advertorials, Editorials, Email Campaigns, Articles, Media Releases, Sponsorship, Videos, DVDs, Web Casts, Animations, Events and other Marketing Activities. Secondly the firm would Educate the target market as to the Power and Benefits of a Structured Legacy (Item 1.2 within Figure 2) as opposed to a Default Legacy, using the methods in 1.1 above, One on One Sessions, Seminars, Online Seminars and Workshops. Thirdly, the firm would inform Prospects as to the Offerings, Benefits and Processes of the firm (Item 1.3 within Figure 2) for the purpose of creating a Structured Legacy, Using the methods in 1.2 above.

Prospects who are suitably informed and who wish to discover more about how to create a structured legacy would contact, or be contacted by, the firm to engage the firm to guide them. The firm would use the Guide process as shown in Figure 3. Firstly, to ensure all appropriate legislation and legal protection is provided to all parties the Prospect must sign a Client Agreement. The Prospect and the firms trained contact, the Legacy Guide, must sign two Client Agreements (Item 2.1 within Figure 3) agreeing to the terms and conditions of the Business, they then become a Client of the Business. The Client Agreement specifies the fees, charges and responsibilities of the Business and the responsibilities of the Client, including the explicit selection of which Products and Services the Client wishes to engage the Business to offer.

The Client Agreement may include the following: • Legislatively or appropriate Code of Practise specified information

• Termination arrangements

• Dispute resolution process • The version number of the client agreement template

• Plain language descriptions of complex legal jargon

All details of the Client Agreement are filled, and could in alternative embodiments be stored in the Client Database. The details to be stored may include:

• Client Details

• Payment method

• Referrer

• Referrals

The first signed Client Agreement is given to the Client for their records and the second is kept by the firm for their own records. The Client Agreement is updated from time to time as the Client requests additional Products and/or Services from the Business.

Next in the Guide Process (Figure 2) the Client is taken through the Discover Process (Item 2.2 within Figure 2 and in more detail in Figure 4). The Legacy Guide takes the Client through the Discovery Process to determine the Client's Dominant Values, Legacy Beneficiaries, Legacy Assets and Current Situation. The Discover Process (Figure 4) is conducted by the Legacy Guide with the Client in one or more One on One Sessions. Some parts, but not all, of the Discovery Process can be conducted in Workshops with many Clients at one time. These parts are a) Discover Dominant Values and b) Discover Legacy Beneficiaries. The Legacy Guide uses a Dominant Values Test (DVT) to determine the Clients Dominant Values (Item 2.2.1 within Figure 4).

The DVT presents forced choice lists of Value Statements, the statements that emerge as dominant are recorded as the Client's Dominant Values on the clients file of in alternative embodiments within a database or other software product. The Value Statements belong to one of several Life Categories and is further described with additional material (text and examples). The results, the Client's Dominant Values, can be used by the firm to assist with the design of legacy services, other value driven services and/or for the respondents own interests and pursuits.

In alternative embodiments the DVT is a self administered and self recorded test that can be conducted at any time using either the Web Application DVT or the Card Based DVT. However the most value is obtained when the Legacy Guide can discuss the results directly with the client.

The Life Categories describe the major areas that constitute someone's life. Example of what the Life Categories could be called are provided below:

• Family

• Health

• Spirituality

• Financial

• Educational • Civic

Each category contains a number of Value Statements that describes a value that may be important to an individual and may have some relevance in the creation of a Client's Structured Legacy. The Value Statements could be represented by any statement, examples include, but are not limited to:

Family and Relationships

1. To have a loving relationship with my family and loved ones

2. Provide a house, food and finances for my family

Health and Fitness 1. Competitive sport teaches essential life skills

2. Sport contributes greatly to society

3. Being as fit as possible is important

Spirituality and Self Awareness

1. Life balance is very important to happiness

2. Trust is very important

In an alternative embodiment the DVT could be conducted as an application on a website. The application would be modular and could be deployed as an ASP portlett through any website. The source application would run from a web server. The application would be written in a web scripting language and use a database to store configuration details and test results. The system could require authentication and/or payment to use, with authentication and payment functionality provided by a separate module or service provider. This would depend on the revenue model selected by the firm.

Typical website questionnaire functionality that would be required could include but not be limited to:

• Register new account

• Forgotten password

• Unsubscribe

• Progress indicator

• Pause and resume test

Web DVT Simplified Process

1. The DVT is accessed through a web browser

2. The Client or the Legacy Guide enter basic contact details for the Client, or these are accessed through an authorised referring service (website) or are obtained from the database records of the Client Agreement. 3. The Client must acknowledge that they have read and accepted the terms and conditions of use

4. If payment is required, payment details are entered and approved/declined

5. Instructions are provided to the respondent 6. The respondent enters basic demographic information or these details are obtained from the database records of the Client Agreement.

7. A 'dominance test' is presented to the user. The rules for the test may vary, one embodiment may be as below: a. The test presents the first set of 'rounds' to the respondent. Each round consists of 6 Value Statements, from which the Client must select the three most important to them. These three are considered the Dominant Values of the round and the remaining three are the Recessive Values of the round. b. The first round presents 6 of the 60 Value Statements to the Client. The 6 are generated randomly, one each from the 10 statements for each of the 6 Life Categories. c. Rounds 2 through to 10 are identical to the first, with the exception that statements used in a previous round cannot be repeated in a subsequent round. d. On the completion of round 10, the respondent will have scored 30 statements as Dominant Values and 30 as Recessive Values. The Recessive

Values are no longer used in the test. e. The 30 Dominant Values are used for the second set of rounds. In the second set of rounds, the respondent must select 2 of the statements most important to them. f. Round 11 presents 6 randomly selected statements from the 30 Dominant

Values from the first set of rounds. The first statement selected is placed in list a and the second in list b. g. Rounds 12 to 15 are identical to the 11^th, such that 5 statements are contained in list a and 5 are in list b. h. The third set consists of two rounds, one for list a and one for list b. For each round the list is presented and the respondent must discard either 1 or 2 statements that are least important to them. i. The 6 to 8 statements selected become the respondents Dominant Values and are stored in the database as such. The remaining statements are

Recessive Values are no longer used in the test, j. The respondent is presented with the final Dominant Values list, sorted by

Life Category. k. For each Dominant Value the standard description of the value statement is provided. The respondent can add their own comments to each statement.

1. The respondent can 'discard' the test results if they so wish. m. The test is marked as completed and an email is sent to the Client's email address, and the Legacy Guide's email address, to such effect with details of how to access the Test Report. 8. A Test Report is presented to the Client with their Dominant Values displayed sorted by Life Categories. The Client has the option to edit their statements, download a copy of the report, print the report out and/or exit the application. 9. At a future date the Client can access the DVT application, provide their credentials and view their report(s). 10. The Legacy Guide can also access the Clients report to assist with the provision of services and advice to the Client.

Card Based DVT

1. The DVT comprises of a deck of 60 cards and a score sheet

2. A 'dominance test' is presented to the Client by the Legacy Guide. The rules for the test may vary, one embodiment may be as below: a. The Legacy Guide presents the first of a set of 'rounds' to the Client. Each round consists of 6 Value Statement Cards placed face up in front of the Client. The Client must select the three most important to them. These three are considered the Dominant Values of the round and the remaining three are the Recessive Values of the round. b. The first round presents 6 of the 60 Value Statement Cards to the Client. The 6 are generated randomly, one each from the 10 statements for each of the 6 Life Categories. c. Rounds 2 through to 10 are identical to the first, with the exception that cards used in a previous round cannot be repeated in a subsequent round. d. On the completion of round 10, the Client will have 30 Value Statement Cards as Dominant Values and 30 as Recessive. The Recessive Cards are no longer used in the test. e. The 30 Dominant Value Cards are used for the second set of rounds. In the second set of rounds, the Client must select 2 of the statements most important to them. f. Round 11 presents 6 randomly selected statements from the 30 Dominant Value Cards from the first set of rounds. The first card selected is placed in list a and the second card in list b. g. Rounds 12 to 15 are identical to the 11^th, such that on completion of round 15, 5 statements are contained in list a and 5 are in list b. h. The third set consists of two rounds, one for list a and one for list b. For each round the Value Statement Cards from the list are presented and the

Client must discard either 1 or 2 statements that are least important to them. i. The 6 to 8 Value Statement Cards selected become the respondents

Dominant Values and are recorded by the Legacy Guide on the score sheet. The remaining cards are Recessive Values are no longer used in the test. j. The Client is presented with the final Dominant Values Cards, sorted by

Life Category.

3. In some embodiments, the firm may produce a Test Report for presentation to the Client with their Dominant Values displayed sorted by Life Categories.

4. The Legacy Guide can use the Clients Dominant Values to assist with the provision of services and advice to the Client. On completion of the DVT₅ the Legacy Guide then assists the Client to discover their Legacy Beneficiaries (Item 2.2.2 within Figure 4). Using the Life Reflected Test (LRT) a Client discovers the Individuals, Types of People, Organisations and other recipients who they feel would and should benefit in someway from the Clients Legacy.

Life Reflected Test (LRT)

In one embodiment this could take the form of a worksheet separated into life stages based on years. For each life stage the Client must write the important events, people and lessons that happened during that life stage. On completion of the worksheet, the Client then takes lists all the potential beneficiaries and decides if and how the Client could assist them. In an alternative embodiments this could take the form of a software application, structured interview and other forms.

On completion of the LRT, the Legacy Guide then assists the Client to discover their Legacy Assets (Item 2.2.3 within Figure 4). Using the Legacy Assets Discovery Process (LADP) the Legacy Guide works with the Client to map the Client's Legacy Assets. Legacy Assets are those assets that the Client can contribute to their Legacy for the Beneficiaries. Legacy Assets include Knowledge, Experiences, Relationships, Keepsakes, and their Estate. Future Desired Legacy Assets are also identified, these are the Legacy Assets that the Client does not yet have, but that they wish to acquire or develop within, or in conjunction with, their Structured Legacy.

Legacy Asset Discover Process (LADP)

In one embodiment this could take the form of a worksheet. The worksheet is separated into four parts, The parts are Financial Assets, Life Assets, Life Lessons and Family Assets. The Client is prompted by the Legacy Guide and/or an instruction sheet to complete each of the four parts. For each item, its importance to the Client is marked and the potential beneficiaries are listed. In an alternative embodiments this could take the form of a software application, structured interview and other forms. The Legacy Guide then performs a Situational Analysis (Item 2.2.4 within Figure 4) for the Client. Using the Situational Analysis Tool (S AT) the Legacy Guide works with the Client to determine the Client's Life Situation and the areas of improvement that should form part of the Client's Structured Legacy.

Situational Analysis Tool (SAT)

The SAT helps a Client identify there current situation in the main aspects of their life. The Life Areas could be the Life Categories from the DVT, or could be classified separately. For each Life Area the Legacy Guide helps the Client determine their satisfaction, goals and actions to reach those goals.

The Discover Process (Item2.2 within Figure 3 and Figure 4) is now completed. The results, worksheets and/or database details are stored appropriately connected to the Client Agreement.

The Legacy Guide can now assist the Client construct the Mission Statement, Clarify the Objectives and the Constitution of the Legacy, and Identify the Key Activities to be performed in the creation of their Structured Legacy using the Objectives Process (Item 2.3 within Figure 3 and Figure 5).

The Legacy Guide could have a number of sample Legacy Documents, or a set of sentences based on Dominant Values, or even in other embodiments a software package with templates and prompted text for insertion. The Legacy Guide uses these tool to assist the Client write a meaningful Legacy Mission Statement (Item 2.3.1 within Figure 5), list and Clarify the Objectives of the Client's Structured Legacy (Item 2.3.2 within Figure 5) and write the Legacy Constitution (Item 2.3.3 within Figure 5). Together the Client and the Legacy Guide then takes all the material from the Discovery Process (Figure 4) steps and prior steps in the Objectives Process (Figure 5) and identifies the Key Activities (Item 2.2.4 within Figure 5) that are required to create the Clients Structured Legacy. The details of which are provided to the Client and are also stored in the Client file. In alternative embodiments the information obtained from the Objectives Process would form the basis for an online Legacy site or could be stored in a hard cover book.

Once a Client has completed the Objectives Process they can begin the Create Process (Figure 6) with the Legacy Guide to assist them.

Using the Key Activities (Item 2.2.4 within Figure 5) of the Legacy as a starting point the Legacy Guide uses either a set of predetermined template plans for the most common actions or creates a new template plan for actions that they have not come across before. Each activity is mapped out to determine the steps, resources (skills, dollars, information, etc) and timetable. On completing plans for all the Key Activities, they are merged into a single master Action Plan (Item 3.1 within Figure 6). The client then approves the plan and it is ready for execution. In alternative embodiments, the details of the actions could be suggested and stored by a software package, or form the basis of a legacy action diary for the Client to self complete.

The firm could then project manage the Actions to ensure that they are Performed (Item 3.1 within Figure 6) competently. The Actions could fall into a number of categories, that in this embodiment could be:

• Professional Services

• Legacy Suppliers

• Client Actions

• Family Actions

Each type of action will have a template that indicates the information required to be supplied (Legacy Details or a subset of them, or other information as required by the action), the method of supply (written documents, signed contract(s), electronically, etc), the options as to who can perform the actions (solicitor, creative writer, Legacy Guide, other employee of the firm, the Client, members of the Clients family, etc.) and the method for integration into the Structured Legacy . For each action the Legacy Guide, Client or other employee of the firm completes the Template (Item 3.2.1 within Figures 7 & 8) and Dispatches the Action (Item 3.2.2 within Figures 7 & 8). The template could be embodied as paper form completed by hand, an electronic form completed on a computer, a software product or another suitable method to capture, store and communication information. The action could further be embodied to include physical devices to store additional information required to complete the template, such as a folder, box or electronic storage medium. On dispatch the summary details of the action are stored in the Legacy Action Plan, to ensure that the plan is up to date. In alternative embodiments the entire process could be conducted electronically, using software, website and interlinked communication methods.

On receipt of the dispatched actions the individual or firm Completes the Action (Item 3.2.3 within Figures 7 & 8) as per the process described within the template for that action type. In some cases the action may need to be sent to many individuals and/or organisations to be completed, if this is the case it would be described in the process for the action. Actions may also contain future maintenance actions at set points in the future or as per a regular review schedule. An example of a process to complete an action in the area of "writing a will" would may contain the following steps:

1. Create Action and update Legacy Action Plan

2. Client to confirm assets, beneficiaries and other information

3. Send to Legacy Guide

4. Legacy Guide to confirm and finalise details

5. Legacy Guide to confirm which estate lawyer will be used 6. Send to Estate Lawyer

7. Estate Lawyer to confirm that the sufficient details have been supplied

8. Estate Lawyer to prepare will documents

9. Send to Legacy Guide

10. Legacy Guide to confirm ■ If not able to confirm, confirm with client, update with changes required and return to step 6 11. Send to Client

■ If not able to confirm, update with changes required and return to step 6

12. Client to confirm and sign 13. Return to Legacy Guide for integration and completion

14. Legacy Guide to store will documents

15. Legacy Guide to integrate details into the Legacy Action Plan

16. Legacy Guide to update the Legacy Action Plan

17. Complete Action and mark as completed, abandoned, incomplete requires action or incomplete no action required.

The steps could be embodied in one of many ways, some options include a check list on a form, as a specifically designed folder with an incorporated check list, a workflow styled website and as software application.

Once the steps are completed the action and any applicable documents/details are Returned to the Legacy Guide for Integration (Item 3.2.4 within Figures 7 & 8) into the Legacy Action Plan. In the example above this would take the form of steps 13 through 17. The documents/details of the action are recorded according to the embodiment of the Legacy Action Plan as one of, or a combination of forms, such as physical file records, electronic records or other media as suitable.

On completion of the Receipt and Integration process (Item 3.2.4 within Figures 7 & 8) of all the initial Actions required in the Legacy Action Plan, the Legacy Action Plan is Completed (Item 3.3 within Figure 6) by the Legacy Guide. The Legacy Action plan ensures that all the details contained in the Legacy Action Plan are actions are accurate and correct, obtains the clients approval to complete the Create Process and lists the maintenance tasks required for each action and the Client's Structured Legacy as a whole. These activities could be embodied in one of many ways, some options include a check list on a form, as a specifically designed folder with an incorporated check list, a workflow styled website and as software application. The client is supplied with a confirmation of their legacy containing all the information obtained throughout the method to date as a folder. Alternative embodiments could be that the client is supplied with a professionally printed "My Legacy" book, DVD, website, confirmation event or other suitable media/physical execution/event.

With a completed Structured Legacy for the Client, the Legacy Guide then begins the Maintain process as per Figure 9. The maintenance process ensures that the Structured Legacy will continue to live and reflect the Clients values throughout their life and beyond. The first step in the process is to Set the Maintenance Actions and Dates (Item 4.1 within Figure 9). The Legacy Guide takes the list of actions from the Create process (Figure 6) and creates a master schedule of actions and review dates that make up the Maintenance Action Plan. The actions are monitored and performed as per the Perform Actions process described above and in Figure 10. However the maintenance process differs such that a) the actions are less likely to be performed simultaneously, b) the maintenance process does not have a set completion date or state, and c) the results of the actions are incorporated into the Clients Structured Legacy and Maintenance Action Plan as needed. On the completion of each substantive action and at each periodic review point the Maintenance Action Plan is Reviewed (Item 4.3 within Figure 9). The review could range from a simple telephone call from the Legacy Guide to the Client with the Legacy Guide updating the Maintenance Action Plan using a simple note or completed check list. Through to a detailed review of the actions performed and the Client's changing requirements, that may involved a number of meetings with a range of individuals and organisations. The results of which may require the completion of a number of new maintenance actions and updates to the Client's Maintenance Action Plan and Structured Legacy.

Depending on the nature of the Client's Structured Legacy the Maintenance Action Plan my continued to be performed after the Client's demise. This could occur if the Client had a foundation, family trust or other structure that could exist beyond their lifetime. In this case and in cases in which the Client was legally incapable of making decisions, the Client would be substituted for a legally appropriate individual(s)/organisation, this information would most likely be contained in the detail of the Client's Structured Legacy. Example : Software Application for Legacy Creation

This example describes the part of a software application that could be built to manage the process of creating structured personal legacies for clients, based on the method for legacy creation. For brevity, common software controls and functions such as logging in, system navigation and other generic functions have not been described. Only the functions that relate directly to the method for legacy creation are described.

Figure 11 is a use case diagram that describes the linkages between the specific use case, the step in the legacy creation process and any relevant screen diagrams.

1. Use Cases

As indicated in Figure 11, there are 15 use cases described that relate to legacy creation. Each is described in more detail below.

1. Set Up Client Account

2. Configure Client Agreement

3. Accept Client Agreement

4. Perform Dominant Values Test

5. Perfoπn Life Reflected Test 6. Update Legacy Assets

7. Update Client Situation

8. Manage Client

9. Create Legacy Mission, Objectives and Constitution

10. Determine Suitable Products and Services 11. Create Activities List

12. Creation Action Plan

13. Perform Actions

14. Set Maintenance Actions

15. Set Review Dates 1. Set Up Client Account

Once logged on the Legacy Guide can start the process to "Set Up a Client Account" by selecting a link on the Legacy Guide Control Panel screen.

2. Configure Client Agreement

Once an account has been created, the Legacy Guide can Configure the Client Agreement to include the standard clauses, terms and conditions to form the contract between the Client and the service provider. Custom conditions and clauses can also be added to the agreement to suit the particular needs of each Client.

3. Accept Client Agreement

The Client Agreement is presented to the Client for approval and sign off. Once the Client Agreement has been signed off, the Legacy Guide updates the Client Agreement in the software with the status of "Signed"

4. Perform Dominant Values Test

The Legacy Guide presents the Dominant Values Test to the Client and the Client performs the test such that a list of the Clients dominant values can be determined and recorded. Historical tests can also be viewed.

5. Perform Life Reflected Test

The Legacy Guide presents the Life Reflected Test to the Client and the Client performs the test such that the important events and people from a persons life can be determined and recorded. Historical tests can also be viewed.

6. Update Legacy Assets

The Legacy Guide obtains a list of the Legacy Assets for a Client from the Life Reflected test results. The Legacy Assets are entered into the system as content for the Structured Legacy. The Legacy Assets can be added, edited and deleted by the Legacy Guide.

7. Update Client Situation

The Legacy Guide enters the details of the Clients financial situation into the system as content for the Structured Legacy. The Financial Items can be added, edited and deleted by the Legacy Guide.

8. Update Client Situation

9. Create Legacy Mission, Objectives and Constitution

After working with the Client the Legacy Guide enters the descriptive items of the Structured Legacy including Mission, Objectives, Constitution, Assets and Beneficiaries. The Legacy Guide can print the Structured Legacy and view previous versions.

The Legacy Guide can view, edit and save all of the descriptors.

✓ The Manage Client - Legacy screen is displayed to the Legacy Guide with the list of Legacy Descriptors, list of Activities, list of Actions, list of Maintenance Actions and list of Legacy Review dates. Summary information for each of the items is displayed.

10. Determine Suitable Products and Services

After working with the Client to describe the Client's Structured Legacy, the Legacy Guide can select the recommended Products and Services that would best assist the Client achieve the goals of their Structured Legacy.

11. Create Activities List After working with the Client the Legacy Guide enters the major Activities required to create the initial Structured Legacy.

✓ The Manage Client Screen - Add/Edit Legacy Activities screen is displayed to the Legacy Guide.

The Legacy Guide can enter the details of the new Activity or edit the details of an existing Activity and save, cancel or delete the entry.

12. Set Actions

After working with the Client the Legacy Guide enters the individual Actions that must be tracked and performed to create the Structured Legacy.

13. Perform Actions

Once Actions are created they are issued to the those responsible by the Legacy Guide. When the Legacy Guide is informed that the status of the Action has changed, or when it is completed, the Legacy Guide edits the Action to reflect that change.

list of Legacy Descriptors, list of Activities, list of Actions, list of Maintenance Actions and list of Legacy Review dates.

14. Set Maintenance Actions

Once the Structured Legacy has been created and after each Legacy Review there may be a need to conduct further Maintenance Actions. These Maintenance Actions are entered and updated by the Legacy Guide.

15. Set Review Dates

Every Structured Legacy needs to be maintained and the Client's situation reviewed. The Legacy Guide working with the Client, sets the dates for a number of future reviews on the completion of the initial Structured Legacy and on the completion of each subsequent Review. The details and date of the reviews are recorded by the Legacy Guide.

The Legacy Guide can enter the details of the new Legacy Review or edit the details of an existing Legacy Review and save, cancel or delete the entry.

The Manage Client - Legacy screen is displayed to the Legacy Guide with the list of Legacy Descriptors, list of Activities, list of Actions, list of Maintenance Actions and list of Legacy Review dates.

Claims

1. A computer system for assisting a client to create a structured legacy, including: a value discovery template into which the client adds data about values that will determine the nature of the legacy, a beneficiary discovery template into which the client adds data about the requirements of the beneficiaries of the legacy, an asset discovery template into which the client adds data about assets that are available for the legacy, and a legacy structuring template into which data from the value, beneficiary and asset discovery templates are combined to document the legacy.

2. A computer implemented method of creating a structured legacy for an entity, including: a value discovery process in which the values of the entity providing the legacy are determined, a beneficiary discovery process in which the requirements of the beneficiaries of the legacy are determined, an asset discovery process in which assets of the entity which are available for the legacy are determined, and a legacy structuring process in which the values, beneficiaries and assets are documented.

3. A method according to claim 2 wherein the value discovery process includes a series of choices which force the entity to select from a range of value statements.

4. A method according to claim 2 wherein the beneficiary discovery process includes a series of questions that encompass the entity's life and important relationships throughout that life.

5. A method according to claim 2 wherein the asset discovery process includes a series of questions to assist the entity to discover and identify financial and non-financial assets that are important to the entity and their suitability for the legacy.

6. A method according to claim 5 wherein the assets include life events, life lessons, stories, anecdotes, images, photos, videos, genealogy information, genetic material, paper clippings, digital media, other non financial assets, other intangible assets, estate, investments, shares, bonds, artwork, property and other valuable assets.

7. A method according to claim 2 wherein the structuring process includes a process that takes results from the value discovery process, the beneficiary discovery process and the asset discovery process and provides recommendations for products, services and activities for the purpose of creating a structured legacy.

8. A method according to claim 2 wherein the structuring process includes a process that integrates results from each of the value discovery process, the beneficiary discovery process, the asset discovery process and the recommended products, services and activities to create a plan for creating and maintaining a structured legacy.

9. A method according to claim 2 wherein the structuring process includes a process which stores and communicates information relating to the structured legacy.

10. A method according to claim 2 wherein the legacy plan includes: a. instructions how to detail information including i. the purpose of the structured legacy ii. dominant values iii. legacy assets iv. beneficiaries v. products and services required to execute the legacy, b. activities that must be performed c. resources required, and d. a timetable to execute.

11. A method according to claim 1 further including a maintenance process.