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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 ...

If you are wondering how it is possible that everyone in your family is offering an excuse for missing the family meeting date, then it is time for some new ideas or approaches to turn these meetings into events that no one wants to miss. How? By planning a purposeful family event that also happens to include the family meeting. In addition, it wil...

As individuals progress in their careers, success becomes tied more to their ability to collaborate, engage, and mobilize others than on the individual skills and abilities that may have fueled early-career advancement. Given this progression, there are five top areas and leadership skills that next generation leaders should focus on to position th...

The U.S. Department of State estimates that more than 8,000 Americans die in a foreign country each year. While some of those are permanent residents and long-time expatriates, thousands more are tourists or individuals traveling for business. For families and their enterprises receiving that unexpected news, the first inclination may be panic. Hav...

Every fine art collector who has worked to build and enrich his or her collection usually has a special work of art or piece that has significant meaning. It might even be the very object that prompted grandma to begin collecting her porcelain rabbits, energizing her desire to graduate to fine art. Or it could be a priceless work, pièce de résistan...

Since the early 1900s, wealthy families have borrowed from corporate America to draft mission statements or similar declarations to define their shared values and legacy. And much like the corporate world, not everyone agrees on the term “mission statement.” Many families and advisors prefer words like purpose and vision. Whatever forma...

Mentorships are valuable relationships at any age or walk of life. As you begin your career, you may wonder what mentorships are, how they work and where you should look to find a mentor. Mentorships shouldn’t be shrouded in mystery, but there isn’t one accepted guidebook for them either. There are, however, several keys to remember to ...

The field of philanthropy has primarily been built around the more tactical aspects and the how of giving while taking the why for granted. It has made the assumption that a purely rational approach (i.e., providing donors with more information or metrics) will unleash more giving, without exploring the often nonrational, psychological journey on w...

Because of social and cultural changes that have increased women’s control of wealth, this paper seeks to help families navigate this newer development—where the female partner’s inherited wealth significantly exceeds that which her spouse is likely to generate through his own inheritance or work. It begins with McKayla’s st...

Every family has secrets and difficult stories—the “skeletons in the closet”—that they would rather not share. While most professionals agree that exposing skeletons to daylight is a good thing, one must be sensitive to the potential emotional impact of these stories on individuals within a family and proceed tactfully. When...

If you are a newer family foundation with one or two generations on the board, five generations may seem like a long time away. Yet in family philanthropy, quite a few foundations have been operating and thriving for 50, 75, even 100 years. What’s the secret of these family philanthropies that make it five generations, and across family branches? H...

Flying privately has become increasingly popular for a variety of reasons, including convenience, security, and lifestyle, but there are several considerations in determining what usage and ownership structure is right for you. Like making a real estate investment, owning or leasing a plane poses many financial, tax, and regulatory issues, as well ...