A Fiduciary Looks at Meaningful As Well As Equitable Estate Distributions In The Delaware Valley
Everyone has heard of the adage “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” Well, to a certain extent, value is also in the eye of the beholder. People assign value not just on a monetary basis but on emotional and other intangible bases. One example is one child who values a $500,000, memory-filled home in Doylestown much higher than a $500,000 stock portfolio. In comparison, a less sentimental child may choose the stock portfolio for its growth potential and lack of upkeep costs.
Many Creators of Wills or Grantors of Trusts want to keep their estate plans a secret from their heirs, fearing it will cause fights and divide the family while they are still alive. However, postponing the day of reckoning until after their death frequently exacerbates the problem because the Patriarch and Matriarch are not there to mediate. When this happens, their estate plans can be torn asunder by disagreements among heirs.
This process can become more complicated when a family business is involved. An estate plan for a family business, particularly one where certain heirs are involved in the business, and others are not, becomes more arduous as basic issues like valuation and taxation are compounded by perceived sibling favoritism.
Fortunately, you are not the first person to face these problems. An experienced Financial Advisor, particularly a Fiduciary who knows your family, can help you craft an individualized solution that:
- Creates a framework for assigning value to your assets
- Recognizes the relative value of your assets from the perspective of your heirs
- Develops estate equalization strategies, especially where a business is the family’s primary asset; and
- Communicates your wishes and coordinates the work of your estate attorney, CPA, and other financial professionals.
The Fiduciaries at Winthrop Partners have worked with Business families and Families with complex holdings in a variety of roles. Let our diversity of experience work for you. Contact Thomas Saunders for a free consultation. 267-454-4585 [email protected]
WINTHROP PARTNERS is a Fee-Only Fiduciary and Wealth Advisor that provides Investment Management and Wealth Plans to individuals in Doylestown, as well as Bucks and Montgomery Counties.
Winthrop Partners l 100 Mechanics St. Doylestown, PA 18901 l 267-454-7551 l Winthrop Partners.com
Thomas Saunders is the Managing Partner of Winthrop Partners. Prior to founding Winthrop Partners, Tom was Senior Vice President at what is now JP Morgan. His career includes senior and executive roles at Brown Brothers Harriman and First Niagara Bank, a top 25 Bank. Click here to contact Thomas Saunders about your investment and planning requirements.