One of the greatest concerns among wealthy parents is that the family’s great fortune might inadvertently lead to misfortune for their children. Raising responsible children in affluence is a life-long task requiring patience and persistence. Like learning to read, financial literacy is a process that is best started in early childhood. Teachable moments, alongside practical ways to teach children about wealth, are the beginning of financially responsible parenting.
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Helping your children learn to become financially self-sufficient can be one of the most satisfying jobs of parenthood. By “forcing” your children to make choices about how to spend limited resources, you’re creating opportunities to help them find their interests and passions and discover what is truly important to their happiness. The more you can do to help your children become financially self-sufficient, the more confidence they and you will have in their ability to eventually take a leadership role in managing your family’s wealth and legacy.
How and when should wealthy parents educate their children about their assets and potential trusts? Having “The Talk” about wealth is a topic that provokes uncertainty and delay. Avoiding the exchange, however, only compounds the difficulties. Anxiety and reluctance about this conversation are understandable given the many risks associated with inherited wealth. This paper provides a few central guidelines to making "The Talk" an effective and positive experience for both generations.
With the ever-evolving nature of international tax, the non-U.S. resident or non-U.S. citizen with activities in the United States (referred to as “inbound” activities) and their U.S. advisors should become aware of fundamental, international tax principles to avoid the unintended application of U.S. tax. This guide serves as a resource to help navigate the dynamic tax landscape.
At a Daily Journal annual meeting in Los Angeles earlier this year, Charlie Munger – the 91-yearold Vice Chairman of Berkshire Hathaway – shared his opinion on the investment landscape when asked about negative interest rates in Europe and persistently low rates in the United States:
Many wealthy families desire a seamless transition of their wealth and a perpetuation of their values for multiple generations, but many struggle with how to accomplish these goals effectively. Successful families typically take intentional steps to create family meetings that foster communication, education and engagement, in order to promote collaboration and trust among family members.This article provides a number of key elements to consider when developing a successful family meeting.
“Why can’t we all just get along?” If you say that often, perhaps it’s time to find the answer. People who work with successful families know that financial resources, social status, career or educational opportunities and even intact marriages do not guarantee family harmony. All families are subject to conflicts, pressures and the unmet needs of family members. In fact, family issues and conflicts may arise from a family’s resources and status – especially when resources and status affect a family member’s identity or sense of meaning.
There is rarely any dissension over the assumption that future investment results are shaped by present-day conditions. Underpromising, or assuming future returns will fall below historic averages, may appear unduly pessimistic. Yet, adversity is best confronted when it is expected. With prudent expectations and some guidance, your investment portfolio can have a foundation to overdeliver when the pendulum changes course. Explore pockets of opportunity to take advantage of what the markets have to give in a modest return environment.
It can be surprising to hear that just 30 percent of families successfully sustain their wealth beyond three generations. The reasons for wealth transition failures are generally personal rather than technical—resulting from a breakdown of communication within the family, inadequate preparation of heirs, and lack of a shared family vision. Successful families consider the impact of wealth on their family and look beyond financial capital to consider human, intellectual, and social elements of unique wealth.
Families with significant wealth often assume that requiring a prenuptial agreement should be expected, but frequently have questions on the impact the discussion can have on current and future family relationships. Through effective communications and careful development, a prenuptial agreement can enhance and clarify a couple’s financial relationship and intentions prior to marriage to provide measures of safety and security.