How does an estate plan support a family legacy?
Proper discussion, documentation and review of a family’s assets – with the participation of the right legal, tax and financial planning advisers – can keep more of those assets in the family and working to the family’s wishes. In the case of a family business, generations of family members have built careers there or might otherwise be depending on that income to live. Yet a business might not even be at the heart of an issue – families may also have foundations or other charitable activities they’ve supported for years with a certain mission that those in charge don’t want changed. More than a few families have imploded in ugly legal squabbles over these situations and more. The results can be lengthy legal battles with damaging tax consequences, a potentially unfair split of assets among relatives or simple mismanagement of those assets going forward. Q: How can estate planning fail? A: Bad estate planning can happen in the wealthiest of families. It’s not unheard of in the richest
