More and more Americans are amassing large fortunes. That means that more and more Americans are concerned about how passing that wealth on to their children could impact their children's lives.
In "Penta Millionaires: The New Rising Class" Barron's reports that the number of American families with wealth is growing and diversifying. More families have wealth of over $5 million than ever before. Many more of these wealthy are female and younger than ever before.
What many of the new wealthy are discovering is the old truth that having money in and of itself does not necessarily translate into a worry-free life. Instead, being wealthy comes with its own set of worries about maintaining that wealth and how best to pass it on to the next generation.
Wealthy people, especially those who have earned the wealth themselves, often fear that if they leave it to their children, it could ruin their children's lives.
The children might inherit the wealth and decide they do not need to work hard at their own careers and they can just live off of their parents' money. Some parents also fear their children will waste their inheritances on frivolous pursuits and possessions.
There are several ways to help alleviate these concerns about the effect of large inheritances on children.
One way is to make sure the children receive a proper education in how to handle finances. Another complimentary way is through proper estate planning.
Inheritances can be structured to ensure that assets are not squandered and that the children who inherit wealth continue to pursue their own careers.
Contact a qualified estate planning attorney about how to bless your heirs instead of curse them with your wealth.
Reference: Barron's (Sept. 17, 2016) "Penta Millionaires: The New Rising Class"
