Effective Wealth - Legal and Strategic Considerations
In my first piece on effective wealth, I laid out...
Individual wealth => 5 to 10 years cost of living
Generational wealth => 10 to 25 years cost of living
Multi-generational wealth => 25 to 40 years cost of living
Surplus (excess?) wealth => beyond 40 years cost of living
We hold our individual wealth in Living Trusts - these have the benefit of being fully revocable (assets in and out easily) and transparent to the IRS (easy for taxes and administration).
TIP - five years cost of living in a debt-free balance sheet will change your life and make you far less susceptible to corruption and influence. Once you hit ten years cost of living (in a debt free balance sheet) then you should consider cutting expenses and working part time. At a minimum, 5-10 years worth of wealth should trigger a sabbatical to consider personal wellness and how you allocate time.
Generational wealth is held in an irrevocable Grantor Trust that benefits my spouse and kids. I can't get the assets back nor can any creditor or petitioner. In my lifetime, I retain the obligation to pay taxes on the trust as well as the ability to swap assets in/out for fair consideration. Admin is about the same as managing a partnership/LLC with similar assets/earnings.
TIP - once you are nearing 20 years cost of living in a debt-free balance sheet you are close to the breakout point where you can stop working, forever. Now is the time to shift towards personal wellness!
Multi-generational wealth - this is small part of my family balance sheet, because I followed my advice at each of the above segments. We use a Private Trust Company (in a state without income tax) that oversees a trust that benefits my descendants. We also use 529 (college) accounts.
TIP - the first time you realize that you might be making money for your adult children STOP and undertake a life review that focuses on how you allocate time and personal wellness.
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What does all this cost? Charging market rates for my work, I oversee the structure for less than $5,000 per annum. Living Trusts/Will were $5,000 to set up. Grantor Trust was $5,000. Private Trust Company and Family Trust was $10,000. These are Boulder, not New York, rates.
How does this give you peace of mind? My personal assets are the smallest of any adult in my family tree. By value, I own less than 1% of the above structure. I am free to give my family the gift of service.
I've said what needs to be said.
I've done what needs to be done.
I'm free to focus on loving those that love me.
The legal and tax consequences of an error in your family structure can be severe. Take expert, local advice. Nothing on this site should ever be considered professional advice.