Ultra-rich hate 'trust fund monsters' more than taxes, study shows

Ultra-rich hate 'trust fund monsters' more than taxes, study shows
Clients with $25 million-plus require the most hand-holding from financial advisors.
SEP 07, 2023

No matter how they may be portrayed in movies and on television, the majority of ultra-high-net-worth investors are not single-mindedly focused on lowering their taxes. They are actually more concerned about their kids becoming rich little creeps, a new study shows.  

Estate planning solutions provider Vanilla Thursday announced the findings of its first-ever “State of Estate Planning” report, which showed those with a household net worth of more than $25 million were 5 times as concerned about creating “trust fund monsters'' as they were about taxes.

Furthermore, it turns out those clients with $25 million plus require the most hand-holding, as they were the most likely to talk to their estate advisor regularly, with 40% reporting seeking advice from them multiple times per year.

The survey also found 71% of respondents believe assets can be split among heirs in a way that is “fair but not necessarily equal.”

The study of 1,049 consumers in the U.S. concluded that financial advisors are well positioned to help clients “develop and understand strategies to protect their family’s long-term financial well-being and legacy.”

“The responses to our survey illustrate the opportunity for advisors to embrace ‘estate advisory,’ a more expansive way to think about an advisor’s role in the estate planning process,” Gene Farrell, CEO of Vanilla, said in a statement.

Elsewhere, the report found that 75% of people whose parents had a financial advisor or estate planner reported having their own estate plan, will or trust in place, compared to just 49% of the general population. And while nearly 60% of millennial respondents reported having worked with a financial advisor, the study showed that only 38% have consulted an estate planner.

“By gaining a deeper understanding of their clients’ estate planning goals, advisors can deliver differentiated advice, expand their client relationships, win new business, and increase their ongoing value,” Farrell said.

Retiring or close to it? Here's what you need to know about saving, spending and investing

Latest News

DOJ's fraud sweep bags over $1B in convictions, guilty pleas and indictments in a single week
DOJ's fraud sweep bags over $1B in convictions, guilty pleas and indictments in a single week

Medicare scam, pandemic benefit theft, offshore tax evasion — federal prosecutors are casting a wide net.

Retirement without guaranteed income streams may mean near-total asset wipeout
Retirement without guaranteed income streams may mean near-total asset wipeout

Report finds that pension income acts as a financial lifeline for retirees facing late-life shocks and raises urgent questions about the DC-only future.

Federal judge dismisses Eltek manipulation lawsuit against Morgan Stanley Smith Barney
Federal judge dismisses Eltek manipulation lawsuit against Morgan Stanley Smith Barney

Nine-month electronic trading freeze and share lending program at the center of dismissed claim.

RIA wrap: Dynamic strikes South Carolina deal to reach $7B AUM milestone
RIA wrap: Dynamic strikes South Carolina deal to reach $7B AUM milestone

Meanwhile, Rossby Financial's leadership buildout rolls on with a new COO appointment as Balefire Wealth welcomes a distinguished retirement specialist to its national network.

Rethinking diversification amid a concentrated S&P 500
Rethinking diversification amid a concentrated S&P 500

With a smaller group of companies driving stock market performance, advisors must work more intentionally to manage concentration risks within client portfolios.

SPONSORED Beyond wealth management: Why the future of advice is becoming more human

As technical expertise becomes increasingly commoditized, advisors who can integrate strategy, relationships, and specialized expertise into a cohesive client experience will define the next era of wealth management

SPONSORED Durability over scale: What actually defines a great advisory firm

Growth may get the headlines, but in my experience, longevity is earned through structure, culture, and discipline