VALLEY — Sensitive issues, such as money, death, and family relations are difficult issues not only to bring up but also to talk about in any depth. It is hard to approach these issues calmly when there are strong feelings about what is important. Some people avoid discussing these subjects because they believe it to be disrespectful and uncomfortable. 

A survey of Americans found that both parents and adult children were uncomfortable discussing the one-dimensional topic of leaving an “inheritance”, but both enthusiastically embraced the idea of leaving a “legacy”. People believe a legacy captures all facets of an individual’s life-including family traditions, history, sharing stories, values, and wishes. For most people inheritance or estate planning are scary, dry terms. A complete legacy, according to the study, is built on four pillars-Values and Life Lessons, Personal Possessions of Emotional Value, Instructions and Wishes to be Fulfilled, and Financial Assets/Real Estate.

Colorado State University Extension will host a group of legacy-succession-estate planning workshops around the state. The programs will be presented by Jeff Tranel and Robin Young. They are designed to help farm and ranch families to document their wishes and communicate those wishes to family members.

“Everyone should determine what and to whom they want to pass on the legacies of their lives and then communicate those wishes with family members,” said Tranel, CSU Agricultural and Business Management Economist and author of “Leaving a Lasting Legacy”.

He added, “The difficult part of succession and estate planning is talking with family members. It is much easier to visit with a qualified accountant and attorney to apply the available tools.”

The day long workshops will walk participants through the four pillars of a Lasting Legacy. Past workshop participants have greatly enjoyed Tranel and Young’s use of stories, discussion, examples, clickers, and other educational tools to help farm and ranch families begin documenting their legacies. Dr. Norm Dalsted, Professor, Colorado State University, said “this program truly helps farm and ranch families get things in order before they consult with an attorney. There are many tools available for estate planning. However, if a family does not know what it wants to have happen to their personal assets and farm, the tools may not be the right ones.”

Tranel will speak on December 11th in Monte Vista, at the Monte Vista Chamber of Commerce Office.  The office is at 947 1st Street. People interested in participating in the workshops should pre-register by contacting the SLV Area Extension Office at 719-852-7381 or [email protected]. 

There is a fee of $25 per person for the program. The program will start at 12 p.m. and end at 5 p.m. Lunch will start off the program.

Please join us for an interactive, fun, and educational workshop. Past participants found the information invaluable as their families discussed individual legacies and the futures of their farms and ranches.

Extension programs are available to all without discrimination, Colorado State University Extension, U.S. Department of Agriculture and Colorado counties cooperating.