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Wealth Insights

The Gift of a Family Meeting: Planning, Legacy & Love

by Joe Maier, Kelly Mould • October 30, 2025

5 minute read time

Kelly Mould and Joe Maier

Legacy Conversations

Family meetings bring clarity and connection to wealth planning.

In a recent discussion on wealth planning, SVP Director of Wealth Strategy Joe Maier and SVP Wealth Fiduciary Advisor Kelly Mould highlight the essential role of family meetings in effective estate planning. These meetings serve as a vital platform for families to share their financial plans, values, and legacy, ensuring that all beneficiaries are well-prepared and aligned with the intentions of the wealth creators. While legal documents are crucial, they often fall short in conveying the full scope of a family's values and expectations, which can lead to misunderstandings and conflicts. 

Key Learnings:

  • Communication and Trust: The primary reason estate plans fail is due to a lack of trust and communication among family members. 
  • Role Clarity: Beneficiaries often lack the necessary understanding of their roles, such as personal representative or trustee, which can be addressed through family meetings. 
  • Generational Differences: Older generations may have deeply ingrained beliefs about money that are difficult for younger generations to comprehend, making these meetings crucial for bridging the gap. 

The conversation also addresses the common discomfort clients feel when sharing their estate plans, including concerns about trust in beneficiaries, revealing the amount of wealth, and the potential for creating trust fund kids or spoiled kids. Complex family dynamics, such as blended families or issues with spendthrift or addicted beneficiaries, can further complicate these discussions.

However, Joe and Kelly emphasize that family meetings, when conducted thoughtfully and empathetically, can significantly reduce these tensions. By fostering open communication and clarity, these meetings help beneficiaries understand the structure of the plan, their roles, and the reasons behind specific decisions, leading to better alignment and a smoother transition of the estate.

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ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Joe Maier

Joe Maier

SVP Director Wealth Strategy JD, CPA | Johnson Financial Group

Joe has extensive experience helping high‐net worth individuals, family offices, business owners and corporate executives meet their wealth and legacy goals. His areas of specific interest and skill include business succession planning, financial and estate planning, and wealth transfer strategies.

Kelly Mould

Kelly Mould

SVP Wealth Fiduciary Advisor | Johnson Financial Group

As Senior Vice President, Wealth Fiduciary Advisor, Kelly develops long-term relationships and provides comprehensive wealth solutions to her clients. She oversees and manages a knowledgeable team of wealth professionals in the Racine and Kenosha area.