Last Updated: Aug 25, 2026
Read Time: 2 mins
An estate plan isn’t all you need. While providing our children with a better life than we had may be a noble goal, the goal is often lost in translation because of the means we choose. As the saying in America goes, it is “shirt sleeves to shirt sleeves in three generations.” In fact, studies show that 60% of transferred or inherited wealth is lost by the end of the second generation, and 90% of family wealth is lost by the third generation.
Is money really the root of all evil? Is giving our children a life of affluence replacing more traditional values such that our descendants cannot manage wealth?
Approaching an estate plan from strictly a tax, asset protection, or other objective standpoint may indeed add to the problem. These issues certainly need to be addressed as part of any comprehensive estate plan, but perhaps the seeds of a legacy are planted during lifetime instead of at death and have little to do with a dollar figure.
Leaving a legacy may involve telling our children and grandchildren how the wealth was accumulated, the work ethic that helped us achieve what we have achieved, and the hard times we went through to get there. It may involve teaching our children, even adult children, how to manage money, invest wisely, plan well, and save for retirement. In that case, even if the money is gone or depleted, we have left a legacy far greater for our descendants because we have truly given them the tools to accumulate and maintain their own wealth. Indeed, isn’t this giving them the better life we had envisioned for them?
We Can Design an Estate Plan Especially for You.
One of our primary goals in working with clients and prospective clients is helping them design an estate plan that fits in with their overall goals and values, rather than fitting their goals into a “cookie-cutter” estate plan. If we can help you, please call (901) 372-5003 or email us here. Your initial consultation with us is always free of charge.
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Nancy Wallace2 days agoTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
If you are looking to do estate planning, go with Patterson Bray! They are excellent to deal with!Posted on Google
Cheryl Adkins3 days agoWe loved the staff at Patterson Bray. Everyone was very professional. Judith was very thorough and explained everything extremely well. We would recommend Patterson Bray to anyone.Posted on Google
Hailey Wade27 days agoPatterson Bray PLLC did an excellent job with my grandmother's estate planning, and made everything easy to understand! She recommended them to a friend who went and is also very satisfied with their services.Posted on Google
Deb Clark32 days agoMy experience with this firm, particularly Judith Denham has been truly exceptional. From the consultation to the finish, the attention to detail, listening and responding to my needs. My documents were completed timely and professionally. I highly recommend Patterson Bray.Posted on Google
Tanya White32 days agoPattersonBray Estate Planning was an incredible firm to work with setting up our Trust. Judith Denham was thorough, very smart, and personable as she patiently explained each part. Gabby put together a very professional beautiful binder for us to have, and has answered questions we have had since then. I am so glad they were recommended to us, and we had them to walk us through this procedure.Posted on Google
Charmaine Sego33 days agoPatterson Bray did a great job with my mother's trust.Posted on Google
Phil Chamberlain49 days agoPatterson Bray PLLC - first class lawyers.Posted on Google
Catherine McGee69 days agoHeath Taylor was a genuine joy to work with during my divorce: straight forward, professional, and knowledgeable. I do hope I never have the need to acquire more legal help, but if I do, he'll be my first call. Thank you for everything, Heath!!Posted on Google
Marva Johnson75 days agoI FOUND PATTERSON BRAY AND JUDITH DENHAM TO BE PROFESSIONAL, VERY THOROUGH, AND PERSONAL. I DID NOT FEEL LIKE A CLIENT, BUT A PERSON. I AM SO IMPRESSED WITH THEM, ESPECIALLY JUDITH AND GABBY. VERY GRATEFUL FOR ASSISTANCE. M.JOHNSONPosted on Google
Pam Nicole76 days agoWe set up a trust with Judith, at Patterson Bray and we received excellent service. Everything was explained thoroughly and everyone was very friendly and professional. I would definitely use her and the firm again, if needed.
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