Wealth is more than your bank account balance, assets, or material possessions.

Your wealth offers you freedom to make a lasting impact, both in the lives of your family and the world at large. But wealth also comes with the duty of stewardship – the responsibility to preserve and pass down a lasting legacy that stands the test of time for future generations.

That’s why a legacy plan for ultra-high-net-worth individuals needs to go beyond merely writing a will or establishing a trust. By thoughtfully leveraging the strategies and tools that encompass comprehensive legacy planning, you shape the destiny of your bequests, ensuring your wishes and values are clearly communicated and understood by your heirs so they can be passed on alongside your assets.

The Benefits of Legacy Planning

At its most basic level, legacy planning minimizes the tax implications of your bequests, ensuring that your loved ones derive the full benefit of the wealth you’ve worked so hard to accumulate throughout your lifetime. The fruits of your endeavors are perpetuated across generations while providing financial security for your heirs and the means to help them achieve their goals and aspirations.

A well-structured legacy plan also clearly communicates your wishes for distributing your assets and establishes the means for doing so, lessening the burden on your loved ones, reducing the potential for conflict among your heirs, and helping to nurture a sense of familial harmony. A unique benefit of R360’s Membership is one-on-one guidance in optimizing your wealth management strategy and helping you create a blueprint for the legacy you have in mind.

A final benefit of legacy planning is that it allows you to enact measures to ensure your wealth continues supporting the charities and causes you’re passionate about, empowering you to drive change and positively impact the world well beyond your lifetime.

Incorporating Philanthropy Into Your Legacy Plan

If you’ve prioritized philanthropy throughout your life, it makes sense to prioritize charitable giving in your legacy planning efforts as well. In doing so, however, it is essential to consider precisely how you will structure your giving to have a real impact and create the lasting legacy you envision.

• Goal Setting: By defining specific goals for your philanthropy, you’ll be able to direct resources toward those areas most likely to drive measurable change. Establishing clear objectives also helps ensure that your legacy supports efforts that align with your values and beliefs.
• Communication and Education: Open and transparent communication with heirs about your family's values, wealth, and philanthropic goals is essential. Setting up periodic family meetings to educate future generations about financial responsibility and philanthropy will foster a strong sense of stewardship in those who follow you.
• Develop a Philanthropic Succession Plan: By identifying successors willing and able to take over your philanthropy work, providing them with the necessary resources and training, and establishing a framework for decision-making, you’ll build the solid foundation needed to ensure your charitable efforts continue beyond your lifetime.
• Focus on Long-Term Sustainability: By establishing the appropriate foundations and trusts, forging partnerships with other organizations, and investing in programs that have a lasting impact, you can ensure your legacy will continue to make a difference for decades to come.

Legacy Planning Essentials

You should utilize a variety of tools and strategies to craft a legacy plan that perfectly aligns with your goals and vision. Some of the most essential components of legacy planning for ultra-high-net-worth include:

• Estate Planning: A comprehensive estate plan that includes your will, trusts, and appropriate powers of attorney is critical to ensuring assets are distributed according to your wishes and in the most tax-efficient manner possible.
• Family Limited Partnerships (FLPs) and Family Limited Liability Companies (LLCs): These entities allow for the structured transfer of family wealth, often with reduced gift tax implications. They also promote the involvement of heirs in managing family assets.
• Charitable Remainder Trusts (CRTs) and Charitable Lead Trusts (CLTs): These trusts allow for charitable contributions while providing an income stream for beneficiaries or charities for a specified period. Both offer tax advantages and the ability to support philanthropic causes.
• Private Foundations: Establishing a private foundation allows you to centralize your philanthropic efforts, provides control over charitable giving, and offers opportunities for family involvement.
• Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs): DAFs offer a flexible and efficient way to manage philanthropic giving. You can contribute assets to a fund and recommend grants to charities over time while enjoying immediate tax benefits.
• Lifetime Gifting: Making strategic gifts during your lifetime can reduce your taxable estate while allowing you the opportunity to see the impact of your giving.
• Business Succession Planning: If you own a closely held business, a well-structured succession plan is crucial to ensure the smooth transfer of assets and leadership to the next generation.

Bottom Line

Wealth provides an opportunity to create a lasting change well beyond your own lifetime. With careful planning and a combination of the right strategies and tools, you can secure a meaningful legacy that will continue to impact your family, your community, and the causes closest to your heart for generations to come.