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A legacy is not built by accident. It is built through intentional decisions about protection, accumulation, distribution, and the values a family chooses to pass forward.

For educational purposes only. The Legacy Scorecard is a self-reflection tool, not a financial audit or professional assessment.

Most conversations about leaving a legacy begin with an estate plan or a will. Those documents are important. But the foundation of a lasting legacy is built long before those documents are signed — through the daily, monthly, and yearly financial decisions that determine whether wealth is created, protected, and passed forward in a meaningful way.

Legacy Shield Financial believes that legacy planning is not a single transaction. It is a practice — built on principles that can be assessed, strengthened, and refined over time. The Legacy Scorecard below offers one framework for that reflection.

The Legacy Scorecard

An Executive Financial Assessment Framework | Score each principle 1–10 across your present and future position

Principle 01

Liquidity — Access Your Money

Assets tied up; cannot convert quickly

Can access but may incur penalties

Can access with some cost

Predictable cash flow; limited lump sum

Tremendous liquidity; access electronically within hours

1–2 Poor | 3–4 Fair | 5–6 Good | 7–8 Better | 9–10 Best

Principle 02

Principal Protection

Susceptible to market volatility; high loss potential

Some money in institutions without strong safety ratings

Diversified with some low-risk vehicles

Money in safe vehicle; tradeoff is lower returns

Very low risk; protected from market volatility

1–2 Poor | 3–4 Fair | 5–6 Good | 7–8 Better | 9–10 Best

Principle 03

Rate of Return — Growth vs. Inflation

Returns negated by market downturns

0–2% returns; inflation outpaces gains

2–4% returns; 4% payout setup

5–12% average; taxable on withdrawal

5–10% historic avg; tax-free; inflation hedge

1–2 Poor | 3–4 Fair | 5–6 Good | 7–8 Better | 9–10 Best

Principle 04

Tax-Advantaged Positioning — Seed vs. Harvest

Savings taxed on both seed and harvest

Traditional IRA/401(k) — tax deferred, pay on harvest

Roth — pay tax on seed, tax-free harvest; IRS limits apply

Tax-free accumulation; flexible access and transfer

Tax advantages across contribution, accumulation, distribution, and transfer

1–2 Poor | 3–4 Fair | 5–6 Good | 7–8 Better | 9–10 Best

Principle 05

Income Generation — Cash Flow vs. Depletion

Hoping to survive; expenses exceed income

Not saving enough; always striving to be secure

Financial battery charging; taxes and inflation are risks

Sufficient resources; capturing knowledge and habits

Tax-free cash flow; perpetual fund; generational transfer

1–2 Poor | 3–4 Fair | 5–6 Good | 7–8 Better | 9–10 Best

Principle 06

Wealth Mindset — Abundance vs. Scarcity

Resentful and intimidated by others’ success

Guilt about having more than those close to you

Collaborative; believe together we’re better

Drive to give back; create greater success

Always making your future bigger than your past

1–2 Poor | 3–4 Fair | 5–6 Good | 7–8 Better | 9–10 Best

Principle 07

Wealth Dimensions — Command, Activate, Preserve

Mindless reaction; always putting out fires

Money and things are primary focus

Financial security is primary; purpose also matters

Authentic wealth; values matter more than things

Extreme clarity and confidence; focused on what matters most

1–2 Poor | 3–4 Fair | 5–6 Good | 7–8 Better | 9–10 Best

Principle 08

Responsibility and Accountability

Blame others for what you have not accomplished

Justify why something could not be done; making excuses

People count on you; apologize for falling short

Total responsibility; accountable to others

Full ability; self-reliant; honor your commitments

1–2 Poor | 3–4 Fair | 5–6 Good | 7–8 Better | 9–10 Best

Principle 09

Equal Opportunity vs. Equal Distribution

No guidelines for assisting those you care about

Find yourself rescuing with handouts

Specific rules of equal distribution

Trying not to spoil loved ones; skin in the game

Provide equal opportunity; require skin in the game

1–2 Poor | 3–4 Fair | 5–6 Good | 7–8 Better | 9–10 Best

Principle 10

Values and Vision — Family Creed and Ethical Will

No written family values or vision statement

Have a family motto but no clear statement

Family mission statement; members helped formulate it

Family creed all members understand and strive to live by

SHIELD Values and Vision document governing how posterity operates

1–2 Poor | 3–4 Fair | 5–6 Good | 7–8 Better | 9–10 Best

0–40

Critical Risk

41–70

Needs Improvement

71–90

Strong Position

91–100

Legacy Ready

Where Is Your Legacy
Strongest — and Where Can It Grow?

A Safety Net Review is an educational conversation designed to help you reflect on your legacy scorecard, identify your priorities, and explore practical next steps.

Schedule Your Safety Net Review

Not sure where you stand? Take the Financial Safety Scorecard →

Estate and Legacy Planning

Legacy PlanningResources

The Legacy Scorecard

Where Is Your LegacyStrongest — and Where Can It Grow?

Legacy Planning
Resources

Where Is Your Legacy
Strongest — and Where Can It Grow?