Food and wine have always played a big role in the Galioto family, whether it was Sunday dinner at Nona’s or Thanksgiving at Mom’s. Every meal was about more than what was on the table; it was about being together, sharing stories, and laughing until it hurt.

Recently, my niece Hannah put together a family cookbook with all our favorite recipes. And now, since Mom’s passing, that book has become something really special—it’s sparked so many memories and conversations, helping us keep her close.

Our estate plan ensures that these traditions, and the values they represent, will continue to bring our family together for generations to come.

As an avid gardener and beekeeper, the legacy I want to leave my children and grandchildren emphasizes the importance of individual action in protecting the environment, particularly through restoring native plants and biodiversity in our yards and communities. I hope they'll continue contributing to the ecological health of our environment by planting native species, which support local wildlife and pollinators. Every small effort can collectively create a significant impact, rebuilding ecological networks even in suburban and urban areas. This approach empowers people to see themselves as crucial stewards of the planet, fostering a sense of responsibility and hope for environmental recovery. Our estate plan reflects these values, ensuring the next generation has both the resources and inspiration to carry this work forward.

My wife Debbie and I are living a wonderful life at the beach in Delaware. For us, however, true happiness is knowing our two daughters, their spouses, and our four grandchildren are happy, healthy, and successful in their lives. Our parents always put us first and made sure we were taken care of after they were gone. With that in mind, Debbie and I take great pleasure in knowing that we’ve positioned ourselves in a way that when we’re gone Our children and grandchildren will be left with a legacy of love, security, and the knowledge that we always put them first.

Over forty years ago, our family began a simple tradition—spending the week of July 4th together at the Delaware beaches. What started as an annual getaway grew into something much more: a “beach week” legacy. We dreamed of building a seasonal home to keep beach week alive, and that dream came true.

Now retired and living full-time at our coastal home, we open our doors each summer to children, grandchildren, and friends, inviting them to share in the magic we’ve always loved.

There are no heirlooms in glass cases, just the rhythm of waves, the sizzle of shrimp boils, the laughter of kids jet skiing, and the joy of catching crabs off the dock. Whether it’s body surfing, boating, building sandcastles, or stories by the firepit, this is how we pass down our legacy, one beach week at a time. A tradition built on salt air, sunshine, and family.

Life doesn't always go according to plan, and past financial challenges have limited my ability to give to my church during my lifetime. By creating an Irrevocable Trust, I've been able to protect my most valuable asset—my home—and ensure it serves a meaningful purpose. Within the Trust, I've specified that a percentage of my home's market value will go to St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church. I'm grateful for the guidance PWW Law provided in helping me create this legacy for my church and honor my faith in a lasting way.

Growing up on a farm in central Illinois shaped who I am. Each day brought chores—feeding animals, tending crops, and working in the garden that carried us through the long winters. Those early years taught me patience, responsibility, and respect for the rhythm of life.

Because of that foundation, I was ready when life took me far from the farm. I've been fortunate to see places most only dream of, and Paul and I have collected art and memories from around the world. My trip to Rovaniemi, Finland, stands out vividly—guiding a reindeer sled beneath the Northern Lights, surrounded by kind, generous people. In that frozen beauty, I felt the same quiet wonder I knew on the farm.

Our estate plan reflects what these experiences taught us: that richness comes from staying curious, being generous, and cherishing both roots and horizons. We hope our legacy encourages our family and the charities we support to explore the world with open hearts, just as we have.

For the past 25 years, our beach house has been the heart of our family's happiest memories. We've lovingly updated and improved it over the years with one vision in mind: that our grandchildren would one day bring their own children here, building the same traditions we've cherished. By establishing a Trust and using our trusted family as Trustees, we've ensured this special place will stay in the family for generations to come. Beyond the beach house, we've also set aside funds for our grandchildren's college education, giving them the foundation to pursue their dreams. Our estate plan is about more than protecting assets, it's about preserving the moments that matter and investing in the futures of those we love most.

Every Sunday as a child our family had dinner at my grandparents’ house. After dinner I would watch my grandmother work on her counted cross stitch. She taught me how to stitch when I was old enough to thread the needle. I spent many years stitching, bonding, and learning while stitching with her. Now we host family dinners where my grandmother’s stitching is displayed alongside mine and where I am teaching our grandchildren to cross stitch as the lessons and bonding continue. I am hopeful they will continue the tradition, and our stitching treasures will adorn their homes in the future for them to remember our times together. Knowing we have a Trust that captures our wishes for our children and grandchildren is such a great comfort, joy, and relief to us.

Growing up in the 1950s, we didn't have much money to spare. My siblings and I, born in 1944, 1947, and 1950, knew what it meant to make do. But every single year, without fail, our mom ordered the full package of school pictures: the 8x10, the 4x6s, and the wallet sizes. At the time, it seemed like just what parents did. Now, decades later, when I look at those photos, I realize how our parents turned something small into something monumental. They were capturing us, preserving our childhood, investing in memories when they had so little to invest. I lost my dad in 1981, my mom in 1987, and my middle brother in 2020, but those school pictures remain, tangible proof of a family held together by love and intention. Our estate plan carries forward that same principle: making sure the people we love know they mattered, long after we're gone.

Family has always meant everything to me, not just the family I was born into or the one that raised me, but the beautiful, expanding circle of people I've chosen to hold close. Being Nana to my grandchildren is one of life's greatest joys. Whether it's celebrating a baby shower for a little one on the way or spending precious time with my favorite (okay, only!) grandson, these moments remind me what truly matters. Our family has grown in unexpected and wonderful ways over the years, and our estate plan ensures that all the people we love, our children, our grandchildren, and the extended family we've gathered along the way, are cared for and connected. It's about more than assets; it's about preserving the bonds that make us who we are.

After years of genealogical research, we discovered something remarkable: our ancestor Alexander Maddox landed in Nassawaddox, Virginia in 1631—just miles from where we retired in Lewes, Delaware. Without realizing it, we'd come full circle, returning to the very place our family's American story began. That same research took us to Minfeld, Germany, where we visited the 1,000-year-old church our Kauffman ancestors attended before emigrating in 1752. Now our grandson Robert is carrying this research forward, uncovering the roots that connect us across centuries and continents. Meanwhile, the family we started in Pittsburgh in 1953 has grown into five Kaufman households there, with more grandchildren and great-grandchildren every year. Our estate plan honors both threads of our story—preserving our family's history and ensuring the next generation has the resources to continue writing new chapters, wherever life takes them.

My husband grew up on the south side of Chicago, and I grew up in a small village in Scandinavia. Our love for family, culture, art, and travel brought us together. My husband bought a hundred-year-old house in Sweden the first time he came to visit my family to show his respect and our desire to always come back for visits. From the time our grandchildren were only a few years old we brought them back to Europe for a few months each summer. They were able to expand their knowledge of culture, languages, food but even more importantly, get to know an extended family and friends with different traditions, and maybe at times values. When my husband developed dementia, we had to sell our house in Scandinavia, but it is the family and friends that are of value, and they will be there when the grandchildren are ready to travel on their own. Our estate plan ensures our grandchildren will have the means to maintain these connections and continue exploring the world that shaped us.

My husband began traveling to Hatteras Island in the Outer Banks in the 1980s for surf fishing trips with colleagues from work. In the early 90s, we decided to make it our family's annual vacation destination. We fell in love with the island's quietness and the stunning ocean views right from the homes we rented. When our daughter began dating her now-husband in 2001, he joined us on these trips, and the tradition continued for years. In 2017, they purchased a rental property on the island, but they quickly realized they wanted more than an investment—they wanted to make Hatteras their home. They sold the rental, built a smaller house just for the two of them, and moved to the island in 2023. Our estate plan ensures they can continue building their life in this place we helped them discover and love. We hope that every time they watch the ocean, they feel us there with them.

My dad died on New Year's Day when I was six. He was 56, planning to retire the next year. My mom was left with three kids: my two older sisters and me. No life insurance, no will. She'd already left high school early to support her own mother when her father died. Now history was repeating itself. Basic planning would have let our family grieve instead of scramble. For years, I knew I needed my own plan but kept putting it off. Now my wife and I can watch our children raise their own families with peace of mind, knowing we've broken that cycle. Our grandchildren will inherit more than assets. They'll inherit the security we wish we'd had. It's how we say: even when we're gone, we thought about you.

My dad loved to travel. As an airline pilot, he delighted in coming home with new food experiences and tales of adventure when I was a kid. My mom’s shared sense of adventure combined with my dad’s flying touched each one of their children. I will be forever thankful for my eye-opening childhood. My children loved to listen to their pop’s flying stories. Those stories continue to inspire them to explore and be open to new experiences today. My dad planned his legacy for my mother’s security. But he passed along that legacy in story for generations to come. Now, like my dad, we’ve planned our legacy not just for our family’s security, but as a continuation of the values and spirit of adventure that will inspire them for generations to come.

My parents have always shown kindness through their actions. They baked cookies for neighbors during the holidays, prepared meals for families celebrating new arrivals or mourning losses, and offered cold drinks to waste management workers on hot summer days. Anyone who visited our home—family, friends, or service workers—was always welcomed with something to eat or drink. These gestures taught me that our shared humanity connects us all. When we take the time, we can always find common ground, and at the very least, we owe each other kindness. This is a value I strive to continue and pass forward. Creating our estate plan gave us the opportunity to formalize this legacy of generosity and ensure that the spirit of care my parents demonstrated will continue to support our family and community for years to come.

Dorothy famously said, “There’s no place like home,” and though our family homes have stretched from the Midwestern plains to the Southwestern deserts and the Eastern seaboard, we’ve always embraced each place as long as we were together. Our homes have been built on patience, love, and resilience. They may not always be quiet or perfectly organized, but they overflow with understanding and acceptance. Raising children with special needs has taught us to celebrate small victories and find joy in everyday moments. Guided by compassion, we feel grateful for the life we share. We created a special needs trust to help ensure our daughters will always have a place to call home.

Years ago, I had a tarot card reading at a party. The cards showed money issues. Money issues? I was baffled—until I remembered our family's long history of estate conflicts.

In one branch of our family, a great-grandfather left his glass factory to his oldest son, who was the least equipped to manage it. The business did not survive. On the same branch two daughters married two brothers and went into business together, investing in property and enterprises. They found more success than their brother, but their estates still sparked friction in the next generation. In another branch, one grandfather insisted that his son's inheritance be handed over to him for living expenses and to care for his maiden daughter. And in yet another, a grandmother's Texas mineral rights passed down through the family—but the heir who inherited them never saw a dime. It was only after her death that they drilled, and each grandchild received a percentage.

Each generation, the same pattern: good intentions, but not enough planning and painful consequences.

We realized we didn't want to repeat history. We wanted professional guidance to protect not just our assets, but our family relationships.

We've taught our son the value of a dollar and to save for the future, while still experiencing life to its fullest. We were taught to "save for a rainy day" and when we began our careers, to "pay yourself first". These values were passed along to us, and we've passed them along to our son. We'd rather spend money on building memories, traveling and sharing time together. These are values we hope we've instilled in him. It's not the material things that make one happy in the short-term, it's the memories that'll last forever. By working with PWW, we're showing him how important it is to take responsibility now to plan for our estate planning needs.

I was single for about 10 years when God granted my request. He sent me my down to earth, bright, beautiful, Christian bride about 30 years ago. I had prayed for my wife for a long time and God blessed me with the complete package, Alyson.

She has been there through the craziness and greatness of business life, our combined six kids, and our grandkids whom are all awesome. She has been a fantastic business partner, parent and grandparent, in all our ventures regardless of wins or setbacks. The greatest asset of course, is the same plumb line we both line up against, Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

There is so much more to say but I will sum this up by saying , I made a promise to the Good Lord, if He would send me the right Christian lady, I would give her the best possible life on earth I possibly could. I also said I would be sure she was taken care of when the Lord takes me home.

God has blessed our life 100 times over. Through careful estate planning, I've kept my promise to the Good Lord; Alyson will be taken care of, and she'll be able to pass our blessings on to our family when the time comes.

On July 1, 2005, I received the news that no parent wants to receive: my 34-year-old daughter, Heather, died in a climbing accident on a descent of Cloudveil Dome in the Grand Tetons in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

Heather’s twin sister, Kelly, and I established a scholarship in Heather’s name at Central Wyoming College for nursing students in the Jackson Hole area. Since its inception, the program has helped over 80 students.

Through PWW, I learned that I could maximize my contribution to the College by making donations from my IRA directly to the school, tax-free. This approach allows more funds to reach the scholarship, which means we can help even more nursing students in the community Heather loved.

We are a blended family, including three adult sons and one adult daughter, plus two daughters-in-law. It’s tough to get all the family together for any length of time, but this year we did it. We had a good reason – FIVE separate milestone birthdays, for all three sons and for the “parents,” Denise and Leonard. We planned a few days away in Costa Rica for all eight of us, and it was our treat! What a treat it was—we strengthened our bond and shared experiences exploring, hiking, birthday dinners, zip-lining and more! It was a great family event that none of us will forget! Moments like these remind us why it's so important to plan ahead, to protect the people we love and the life we've built together.

My father, a Vietnam veteran, served in the US Air Force for 22 years and taught me the importance of patriotism and serving our country. My wife and I served 28 years in the US Navy and instilled this value in our children: both sons served in the US Army, and our daughter married a Navy Sailor. Service to our nation is a core family value that we've upheld for decades and plan to pass on to our grandchildren. Just as we've spent our lives serving and protecting what matters most, our estate plan protects the family and values we've built together.

My journey began in Pittsburgh where my Baba (grandmother), who grew up in a tiny cottage in the Carpathian Mountains, came to Pittsburgh and turned a boarding house into a home for steel workers seeking a better life. She cooked, cleaned, and baked for every holiday, showing endless commitment to her community. Her found family, grit, and pursuit of the American dream are my foundation. Faith, hard work, and devotion to family and community inspire me daily, empowering me to raise my own family with strength, purpose, and generosity. These values, handed down from the strong women in my life, motivated me to create an estate plan that supports my children and community for years to come.

Every time I hold a mic or step up on a stage I think of my parents and am grateful that they shared their love of the arts with me. I was given the gift of dance and piano lessons as a young child, and voice lessons as a teenager. It was no accident that I performed in every high school musical and was involved in community theater as a young adult. Our children were raised to appreciate the arts as well; seeing our grandchildren’s budding interest gives me hope that this appreciation will continue. Just as my parents gave me the gift of a lifelong love for the arts, creating an estate plan ensures that I can continue to support and nurture this passion in my children and grandchildren for generations to come.

Single motherhood was often challenging, As a fulltime teacher, active volunteer, and professional carpooler, I worried about how I was doing in the mom department with my two daughters. I feared our busy lives left little time to build family memories. I was sure they would remember only the hard times. Over the years I’ve learned how wrong I was, especially when they tell me that my willingness to talk about life’s joys and sorrows helped them face their own challenges.

Today my daughters are strong, independent women with families of their own, and I spend less time second guessing my parenting and more time concentrating on ways our family can celebrate our lives together. The process of creating a family trust provided the opportunity for us to discuss hard questions and develop a plan that preserves both our traditions and wishes.

I used to play outside in the yard with my grandchildren. One afternoon, an older gentleman walked past our mailbox. I waved hello, and my granddaughter tugged on my sleeve and whispered, "Grandma, we don't know him."

I smiled down at her and said, "Always say hello. You never know when you might come across him again someday, or anyone else, and need a helping hand. People remember a smile."

My granddaughter never forgot that warm August afternoon, and she's never stopped saying hello. She carries that lesson with her still; the importance of kindness and looking out for others. That same spirit of caring for the people who matter most is what brought me to create an estate plan, ensuring my family is protected and provided for long after I'm gone.

My husband has been dealing with Parkinson’s disease for 16 years. Estate planning is especially important for us because Parkinson’s brings uncertainty as well as progressive physical, cognitive, and financial challenges. A clear estate plan ensures my husband’s wishes are honored and that I can make medical, legal, and financial decisions on his behalf if needed. It helps protect our assets, plan for long-term care, and reduce stress during already difficult moments. By preparing now, while we can make decisions together, we maintain control, preserve dignity, and provide stability for each other and our loved ones. Thoughtful planning gives us peace of mind and allows us to focus on quality of life rather than future crises.

For my first Christmas, my parents hung my Christmas stocking. As my siblings were born, their stockings were hung. Each year, my parents would save and put aside what they could for us in our stockings. We would learn later in life that it was earmarked for our college educations. Later, as grandchildren were born, more stockings were hung and they too enjoyed the benefits of their stuffed stockings for their college educations. Now as the next set of little ones join the family, my spouse and I join our siblings as the next generation of stocking fillers. Just as my parents planned ahead to fill those stockings year after year, we knew it was time to put our estate plan in place, ensuring this Christmas tradition, and the values behind it, continue for generations to come.