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Ultimately, how well your wealth transfer plan fulfills your legacy and meets the needs of the next—and future—generations depends on whom you name as your trustee(s). This makes your trustee selection one of the most critical aspects of an already complex wealth planning process. To help navigate this selection process, work with a framework built...

Many business owners worry about how their success and wealth will impact their loved ones and the next generation. The fear behind it can hinder the ability of future generations to build on past success and even lead to family tension. To successfully move past the fear-based planning and toward a collaborative approach, five secrets an...

Historically, beneficiaries learned of wealth transfer plans only after the death of the grantor. However, this approach often leads to unanswered questions and, potentially, feelings of betrayal when expectations for future gifts are left unmet. There are several planning tools, including a Statement of Wealth Transfer (SOWTI), that can facilitate...

Despite the challenging economic headwinds and shockwaves of 2022 continuing to reverberate, there are silver linings for those who focus on planning for the long term. In looking ahead, we examine wealth planning strategies through the power of resilience from four different lenses: multigenerational families, business owners, women, and philanthr...

Art collections are unique and very personal assets. Planning to build and maintain a collection, and ensuring its future, requires balancing special rules applied to collectibles and the personal and financial realities of individuals or families. When collectors, their families, and their trusted advisors engage in purposeful planning for art col...

Families who successfully navigate the complexity of wealth through multiple generations tend to do things differently. They recognize the need to establish a framework for decision-making that includes creating foundational documents—also viewed as the “Cornerstone Statement”—that feature their values, vision, and mission for the wealth over many ...

Most of the time when families gather, the focus is purely social—reconnecting, reminiscing, and “rest and relaxation” as a group. Occasionally, family members may also gather for limited financial management tasks, such as settling a loved one’s estate, or planning for how to manage shared assets such as land or a family va...

In times of significant change, it is easy to become paralyzed by uncertainty and indecision. However, such changes are inevitably accompanied by new opportunities. In this Wealth Planning Outlook, insights—and action items—are provided on the most vital planning issues amid epochal technological innovation in artificial intelligence (AI); an uncer...

Departing for college is a major life event for your family, marking a significant step toward your child's independence. Whether your child is going near or far, planning is critical. Follow this checklist to address critical healthcare, insurance, personal safety, and financial decisions.

While entrepreneurs are intently focused on building their businesses, they may have less time to spend on building, sustaining, and distributing their wealth. Given the importance of early wealth planning and its long-term impact, this guidebook provides insights and tools at each stage of the entrepreneur’s journey to help them move forward ...

Whether you and your family split financial responsibilities or delegate them to one person, it is critical for your family members to have access to all your financial information. Use this guidebook created by Northern Trust to detail the location of important documents, accounts, and plans. Designed as a fillable and easy-to-update resource, it ...

Women’s growing economic influence across all generations has been one of the most significant shifts within our economy across recent decades. While this new dynamic represents great progress, many women lack confidence when it comes to investing. To help change this mindset, this issue focuses on sharing stories that lead by experience to build c...

Engaging and preparing the rising generation is often top of mind, as the wellbeing of future family leaders is of great concern. Setting out to understand the needs and wants of the rising generation, this research tapped into the wisdom and experience of 55 families, 28 future family leaders, and 38 family office executives. The practical advice ...

In this special report, Northern Trust experts provide policy analysis for each potential United States election result—as well as steps that can be taken to prepare for all outcomes. Read the report for insights into planning for Divided Government, Unified Democratic, Unified Republican, and Delayed or Contested results. Along with having a goals...