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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 m...

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 ca...

Learning and practicing the basics of money management can have a profound impact on a young child’s life. What parents often overlook, even those who are investors themselves, is taking the education to the next stage once their children get older—say, around age 11 or 12. At that point, it may be the right time to start a conversation about inves...

The decision to sell or continue ownership of a family business is complex. Business owning families who recognize early the importance of both the financial and non-financial considerations of a potential sale are more likely to make good transition decisions.

Statistics show that teenagers are more likely than any other age group to be in an automobile accident. In several tragic incidents, the use of a cell phone was involved. Some accidents, however, simply reflected the teenagers’ lack of driving experience. As a parent, you can help your teenager become a safe and skilled driver by setting a good ex...

If a premarital agreement is a prerequisite to getting married, doing all you can to ensure that your agreement will be upheld against a future challenge should be your guiding priority. Accordingly, there are some helpful tips—the do’s and don’ts—to consider with respect to a premarital agreement. When thoughtfully negotiated and wisely drafted, a...

In light of the high conflict nature of many divorces, and the cost and time associated with divorce litigation, many couples attempt to pre-plan for the possibility of a later divorce by executing a pre-marital agreement. The past, present, and future of pre-nups and post-nups highlight a process that attempts to minimize a couple's stress during ...

Research indicates that multigenerational involvement is the single most important factor in sustaining family wealth into the third generation and beyond. Furthermore, the families that most successfully integrate younger members into their family operations seem to share the same philosophies and core values. It’s a family enterprise mindset that...

No matter what stage of the business cycle you are in, you should always have a defined strategy for your business operations and potential exit. For many family business owners, the sale of their business will be the single largest transaction of their lives. Yet many enter this transaction not fully prepared. To ensure you maximize your sale, the...

For all the risks that tend to step up as you age, there are also far more opportunities to live life the way you want to, and probably longer and in reasonable health. What will help smooth the transition through the stages of aging will be a proactive approach to managing potential roadblocks on the way. As you begin this journey, the more aware ...

Sometimes, unfortunately, a trip to the hospital is unforeseen and unplanned. Often, however, procedures and elective surgery are scheduled in advance. If this is the case for you or a loved one, planning ahead for a hospital stay and taking a few simple steps can ensure greater comfort and a faster recovery. This is important for everyone, but esp...

When you make more money than your friends, it can set up awkward and uncomfortable money dilemmas. However, there are ways to get around them by having a few good verbal comebacks and a dose of niceness to help you sidestep a lot of cringe-worthy money situations.

While many business owners are struggling to find qualified successors, family members oftentimes oppose proposed sales to outsiders because they think they should have the chance to take over the business. Research from Rothstein Kass suggests that advance planning can minimize family squabbles and ensure smoother business transitions.

Educating children about money, wealth, and financial planning is a critical step in helping them build their futures. As a wealth creator and thoughtful investor, you want to be sure your children understand how to manage finances and make good, informed decisions when it comes to spending, saving, and investing. But talking to children about mone...

Families often find it challenging to talk about long-term plans and wishes of their aging parents. But it’s never a good idea to wait until there’s a crisis to rally family members together on a plan that will address mom or dad’s needs and wishes regarding healthcare, living arrangements, and long-term financial care. Knowing how to get the conve...