Take action to leave the legacy you desire

August is What Will Be Your Legacy Month. If you knew this, you have an unusual knowledge of obscure celebrations. But even if you weren’t aware of this “month,” you can see that the idea behind it — the importance of leaving a legacy — is an important one. What should you do to help ensure you’ll leave the type of legacy you desire?

To begin with, identify those people whom you’d like to directly benefit from your legacy. What can you leave behind to your children, grandchildren, other family members or even close friends? Then, think about those charitable organizations you support — can you...