Legacy Planning

Leave a Lasting Gift for the People and Causes You Love

A legacy isn't just what you leave behind — it's the intentionality with which you leave it. Too many families discover after a loved one's passing that the financial legacy they expected either didn't materialize as intended, was significantly reduced by taxes, or created conflict instead of clarity.


At D.S. Drelich & Associates, legacy planning is about ensuring that what you've built over a lifetime reaches the people and causes you care most about, in the most efficient and meaningful way possible. Our advisors work alongside your estate planning attorney and CPA to bring every piece of your legacy strategy into alignment.

Beneficiary Designations

Beneficiary designations — on your retirement accounts, life insurance policies, and annuities — override your will. They are among the most important and most frequently neglected documents in estate planning. We conduct a comprehensive beneficiary review for every client, ensuring designations are current, coordinated, and structured to minimize estate tax exposure.

Wills and Trusts Coordination

We work directly with your estate planning attorney to help ensure your financial accounts, insurance policies, and investment assets are aligned with the instructions in your will or trust. We also help clients understand the difference between a will and a revocable living trust, and when each is appropriate.

Generational Wealth Transfer

Whether you want to pass wealth to children, grandchildren, or multiple generations, we help structure transfers that minimize tax exposure and preserve the intent behind the gift. This may involve gifting strategies, irrevocable trusts, custodial accounts, or 529 college savings plans as part of a broader wealth transfer strategy.

Life Insurance for Legacy

Life insurance remains one of the most tax-efficient tools for creating and transferring wealth. A well-structured life insurance policy can provide a guaranteed, income-tax-free benefit to heirs, fund a charitable legacy, or equalize an estate where not all assets can be easily divided.

Charitable Giving Strategies

For clients who want a portion of their legacy to go to a favorite charity, we can help structure giving in ways that provide current tax benefits while honoring your charitable intent — including qualified charitable distributions from IRAs, donor-advised funds, and charitable remainder trusts.

  • Do I need a will or a trust?

    Many people benefit from having both.


    A will directs how probate assets are distributed.


    A revocable living trust allows assets to pass outside of probate, helping preserve privacy and potentially reducing delays.


    We coordinate with your estate attorney to ensure your financial assets support your legal plan.

  • What happens to my retirement accounts when I die?

    Retirement accounts pass by beneficiary designation, not through your will.


    Beneficiaries must follow inherited IRA and retirement account distribution rules, including those impacted by the SECURE Act.


    We help ensure beneficiary designations are structured thoughtfully.

  • How do I start the legacy planning process?

    The first step is a conversation.


    We review:


    • Financial accounts
    • Insurance policies
    • Existing estate documents

    Then identify gaps and coordinate with your attorney and CPA to implement a comprehensive legacy strategy.

5 Simple Steps to a Successful Retirement: Make Your Retirement a Blockbuster

5 Simple Steps to a Successful Retirement: Make Your Retirement a Blockbuster

Do you have doubts about your ability to reach your retirement goals? Are you less than confident about certain aspects of your retirement strategy? Here’s the good news…there’s always time to adjust your plan and get back on track. You can take your retirement strategy from flop to blockbuster with these simple strategies.