When Jonathan turned 63, he sat quietly on his balcony, sipping coffee as the sun broke through the clouds. Decades ago, he had started with nothing—an ambitious young man in a foreign country, juggling jobs, saving religiously, and learning how money worked in a place that was never originally home. Now, he was a father, a grandfather, and the proud owner of a thriving investment portfolio, multiple properties, and a successful family-run business.
But something weighed on him.
It wasn’t just about leaving wealth behind. Jonathan wanted to ensure his children and grandchildren wouldn’t just inherit assets—they would inherit stability, wisdom, and the values that helped build it all. That’s when he began seriously thinking about multigenerational wealth transfer.
He wasn’t alone. More and more people today are grappling with the same challenge. How do you pass down wealth in a way that doesn’t disappear within a generation? How do you teach the next in line to be stewards, not just spenders?
That’s when Jonathan decided to meet with a financial planner.
Starting the Conversation
It began with a long, honest talk. The financial planner helped Jonathan map out everything—his net worth, his expected retirement expenses, potential health costs, and the legacy he envisioned.
But more than numbers, the conversation focused on people.
“I want them to feel secure, but not entitled,” Jonathan said. “And I want to protect the family business.”
With that, the foundation was laid for a multigenerational wealth transfer plan that would become as much about education and alignment as it was about financial structures.
Aligning Family Values with Financial Strategy
Jonathan's financial advisor encouraged him to bring his adult children into the process. At first, it was awkward. Talking about money had never been their family norm. But with the help of a calm, experienced consultant, the conversations shifted from awkward to enlightening.
They spoke about responsibility, about preserving the business, and about how assets could be used to support causes they cared about. That shared understanding formed the backbone of their future family governance.
Structuring the Plan
Next came the more technical elements. Working closely with a wealth planner, Jonathan began establishing trusts to protect the estate from unnecessary taxes and to ensure a smooth transition of business ownership. These trusts also included rules around how the assets could be used—guidelines for funding education, investing in ventures, or giving back to society.
The consultant also helped Jonathan understand how to use life insurance strategically, not just for protection, but as a vehicle for ensuring liquidity at the time of his passing. That would give his family room to manage estate taxes without having to sell off key properties or shares in a rush.
A Global Twist
Jonathan had spent much of his life as an expatriate, moving between countries, building a career and a family abroad. That added layers of complexity to his planning. Cross-border inheritance laws, international tax rules, and foreign asset ownership created a web of issues not easily untangled.
That’s when an expat financial advisor stepped in. With experience in financial planning for expats, the advisor tailored the estate plan to ensure compliance with both local and international laws. They reviewed residency rules, inheritance tax exposure, and foreign account reporting obligations. It was tedious work—but necessary to protect the integrity of the plan.
Had Jonathan skipped this step, parts of his estate might have been heavily taxed or even inaccessible to his heirs. Instead, with expert advice, the plan became both globally compliant and tax-efficient.
Empowering the Next Generation
Perhaps the most important—and unexpected—part of the process was education.
The financial consultant suggested regular “family finance days.” They would meet quarterly, discuss updates to the family portfolio, and explore investing basics. Over time, his children, and eventually his grandchildren, became more comfortable with the language of money. They learned to ask the right questions, understand risk, and value long-term thinking over instant gratification.
One day, Jonathan’s eldest son told him, “This legacy is more than what you’re leaving us. It’s what you’ve taught us.”
That, to Jonathan, was worth more than the portfolio itself.
Choosing the Right Partners
What helped Jonathan most was choosing advisors who were not motivated by commission. He specifically sought out a fee only financial advisor—someone who wouldn’t push products, but instead provided honest, clear advice. That neutrality gave him confidence that the recommendations were aligned with his best interests, not with sales quotas.
Today, more people are following that path, preferring transparency and independence in financial advice. Especially for complex situations involving family dynamics, international concerns, or sensitive estate structures, the clarity that comes from working with a fee-only model is invaluable.
Lessons from Jonathan’s Journey
Jonathan’s story is not uncommon. Whether you’re building wealth in one country and planning to retire in another, or raising children in a culture different from your own, planning for the future is never one-size-fits-all.
Here are a few takeaways from his journey:
Start early – The earlier you engage a financial consultant, the more strategic and flexible your options will be.
Include the family – Don’t keep your plans a mystery. Including the next generation builds trust and responsibility.
Seek specialized advice – Whether it’s a wealth planner or expat financial advisor, look for professionals who understand your unique situation.
Educate continuously – Instilling financial literacy is a powerful way to extend your legacy beyond dollars and cents.
Revisit the plan – Life changes, laws evolve, and so should your strategy. Review your plan every few years.
Final Thoughts
Jonathan still enjoys his coffee on the balcony—but now, it’s with a quiet sense of peace. His estate plan is not just about wealth. It’s about creating continuity, preserving values, and giving his family the tools to thrive, not just survive.
Whether you're a working professional abroad, a retiree managing cross-border assets, or someone just starting to build your nest egg, there’s no better time than now to plan for the future. With the right guidance—be it from a trusted financial planner, a fee-only consultant, or an experienced expat financial advisor—your legacy can be more than a memory. It can be a foundation.
