Ascent insightsPersonal legacy planning
3 effective strategies for transferring real estate to heirs
Inheriting real estate can be a gift to your heirs—but clear communication and forward planning is critical to avoid turning family property into a financial burden for them.
Family capital: What it is and how to build it
Families with significant wealth should have a comprehensive strategy for intergenerational wealth transfer. A key part of that is building family capital, which involves educating family members and ensuring they’re aligned on its wealth preservation philosophy.
Which are the best states for trust situs?
Choosing your trust situs—where your irrevocable trust will be administered—is key to tax efficiency, asset protection, privacy and establishing a lasting legacy.
Financial legacy letters: What they are and why you need one
Wills and estate plans lay out who will benefit from your wealth after you’re gone. A financial legacy letter explains why you made these decisions. Here’s how to write one.
Estate tax exemption sunset: What you need to know now
The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act raised estate tax exemption levels significantly, but it’s due to sunset in 2025. Congress could act to maintain them, but you should plan now for any outcome.
Family loans: Should you lend money to your children?
There are key emotional and financial factors to consider before loaning or gifting money to your adult children.
Wealth preservation strategies in a rising rate environment
Managing tax liabilities is a key element in preserving wealth. A rising rate environment can be a good time to revisit your estate planning and tax strategies.
Digital fraud protection: Strategies for safeguarding your assets from online scams and cybercrime
A look at cybersecurity and online fraud protection strategies that individuals and family offices can use to protect their assets.
Client story: Talking about money and family wealth for the first time
With Ascent’s help, a real estate developer revealed the wealth he’d built to his family and worked together to create a financial plan for the future.
Embracing family secrets
Family secrets are not uncommon. These “skeletons" can launch potentially challenging but necessary conversations to redefine their family values and goals.
Four reasons values are important in maintaining generational wealth
Establishing shared family values is essential to your family’s long-term financial wellness.
How to elevate female role models in your family story
Every family tree is full of amazing female role models. Oral history can be an effective way to record their stories and raise the profile of the women in your family.
Moving past the guilt of inherited wealth
The emotional stages of inheritance often parallel the five stages of grief. Understanding how they correlate, and specifically how to move past the guilt stage, can help you find peace with your inheritance and focus on the future.
Bridging the gap between values and generational family wealth
The best place to start engaging and educating family members of all ages and attitudes toward money is with what matters most: values.
5 steps to take when creating a prenup
Signing a prenup is one of many decisions to make when getting engaged. It may not be the most romantic part of wedding planning, but it can be a very practical decision for both parties.
Family inheritance: Does fair mean equal?
A variety of factors can impact how you distribute your estate to your beneficiaries. Doing so fairly and equitably may require some creative thinking.
Considerations for family legacy planning
These steps can help you create a legacy plan that both reflects your values and incorporates tax-efficient ways to transfer your assets.
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