Subject: Re: OT - Estate Taxes
Very interesting subject. I've asked a large number of estate attorneys and FA how giving to grandkids works out. Their response and my own personal observation has been-- not very well. Big, big decision.

Love to have a good conversation about the subject. My experience is that people clam up when asked to think about the results of providing for young people. Even though they admit it does not workout for the recipient a good share of the advisors admit it works out for them. I do not see more than a 50% probability it works out well. The ability to make it on their own is something I don't want to take away from my grandkids. Education yes, very important along with a good upbringing. Harvard has a wonderful program called "Generation to Generation." They start the program with the saying, from shirt sleeves to shirt sleeves in three generations. Then explain that there is the same saying in every language in the world.

There are worst things in the world than to write a very large check to the government. The government is inefficient but so are charities. Helping people that need and deserve help might be better. I do contribute now but em searching for good ideas all of the time. My kids have all the money they will ever need. PM me for deeper discussion if you like because everyones situation is different. At my age I think about this a lot.

Growing up on a farm my mother used to refer to some neighbors as having more money than they know what to do with.