“In the 1890’s, my great-grandfather expanded his brother’s stationary store in Pennsylvania to 250 department stores across America to create a family retail empire – his unique managerial style, industrial expertise and vertical integration were disruptive and additive to American business history.  In 1940, when he became ill, the estate tax had grown to 77% for estates over $15 m. Not one of his advisors had planned for this business owner’s unexpected death at a most punitive time in American tax history.  It was a perfect storm. Banks, lawyers and accountants benefited, outside trustees were handed control, my grandmother and her sister were denied direction over their wealth, and the thriving family business traded hands unsuccessfully thereafter. A similar story is often repeated in other families across America –  in different time periods and industries, with different characters and sub-plots.

There exists an enormous gap in planning: The industry sells benefits without identifying the goals or addressing the unique problems of most successful families. We are committed to changing the cycle to improve outcomes.”