A $41 Trillion Market – Why Legacy Planning Matters, and What it Takes
A $41 Trillion Market – Why Legacy Planning Matters, and What it Takes
June 2008 – Web Exclusive
Written by Christina Pellett, Managing Editor
When advising clients on what will happen to their estate after their death, the natural inclination is to talk strictly finance: trusts, wills, life insurance, and inheritance. But while these factors are essential components of estate planning, there is another aspect, and that revolves around the notion of legacy planning.
While the average response from elders was 39 percent, finances ranked just 10 percent on the scale for baby boomers — and values and life lessons came in at 77 percent for both groups.
Getting into this field, said Tom Burns, chief distribution officer for Allianz Life, is a perfect way for agents to set themselves apart, especially in the increasingly crowded estate planning market.
“It’s such a competitive environment out there for the advisor, and people are looking for ways to deepen their relationships with current clients and get new ones,” Burns said. “These introductions are the best way to build your practice.”
The financial side
One way to help clients express their values to their heirs does involve their financial assets — charitable remainder trusts (CRTs) created with the proceeds of a liquidity event such as the sale of a building, land, or business. In this case, the trust provide a lifetime income to the client. Then, once they pass, the trust goes to a named charity or foundation.
On the other hand, charitable lead trusts (CLTs) distribute payments to a charity during the trustees’ lifetime, then provide an income stream to any beneficiaries after the owner’s death.
According to Gary Altman, founder of the Maryland-based estate planning law firm Altman & Associates and chairman of the National Capital Area Financial Planning Association, this can be an excellent way for clients to illustrate to children and grandchildren what is most important to them.
“One thing I always suggest is, when there is a large liquidity event, why not take $30 million or $40 million of it and put it into charitable lead trust so the income can fund a private foundation which, at their death, the children control so they can learn there are other people in the world who are less fortunate than them?” said Altman. “Then, the money goes to grandchildren after a number of years, so you’ve created a legacy in terms of the foundation and a legacy in terms of your grandchildren.”
Those clients worth at least $20 million are good candidates for CLTs, said Altman, but any client who has gone through a financial liquidity event will benefit from this type of financial legacy planning.
Unless a client already has a strong charitable inclination, however, he said, it can be difficult to get them to irrevocably part with their money. Advisors looking to involve themselves with financial legacy planning, then, should be aware that this is not a quick sale — it takes time and much relationship-building before it can bear fruit.
The benefit for agents is not only a strong client-advisor relationship, but also the great sense of accomplishment that comes along with it. One advisor, for example, has pledged to help pass a total of $200 million of wealth to charity.
“It may not lead to anything for him, but in the long run, it leads to a very strong relationship because you’re helping the client to achieve their goals,” Altman said.
The emotional side
Krooks has had clients who survived the Holocaust, came to the U.S., and started a successful family business. He’s known people who have spent years in prison and, upon their release, have made good lives for themselves and their families. And some of his clients have themselves been engaged in financial disputes with their own family members when dealing with the estate of a loved one.
“These people want to impart upon their kids the lessons and values they learned so their kids won’t make the same mistakes,” said Krooks.
A common way to pass along these values and life lessons is through the use of ethical wills. While not legally binding, such documents can be extremely satisfying for clients, beneficiaries, and agents alike.
When helping clients create an ethical will, said Krooks, he uses a list of questions to help them along but otherwise does not direct them in any way — these wills should come straight from the client, in their manner of speaking and writing.
“There will be some agents — not all — who will really care a lot about this and they’ll get satisfaction out of helping the client walk through the process,” he said. Just start talking, and if you see interest, probe further and see what happens.”
What does it take?
Then, they were asked to list qualities they look for in such an advisor. While a good understanding of taxation, investment, and the financial marketplace were on the list, these fell far behind honesty, trustworthiness, and good listening and explaining skills.
Because this is not an immediately lucrative niche, added Krooks, it may turn off many planners and attorneys.
The legacy planning market is huge. According to the Boston College Center on Wealth and Philanthropy, about $41 trillion is set to be passed down from generation to generation over the next 50 years, with some estimates as high as $136 trillion.
Email: ASJeditor@AgentMediaCorp.com
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