Case Study: Anne & Stuart

A portfolio manager asked me to work with one of his clients. He shared that Anne was struggling as she knew she had to learn about her family’s finances but it seemed overwhelming to her. We had a brief conversation on the phone, and agreed to meet in person.

Anne had asked me to be fully transparent with their portfolio manager - something I was very happy to do. I explained to her that if the professionals in their lives had more information about their thoughts, issues, and perspectives, the better they would be able to serve them.

Our meeting included her husband, Stuart, which did change the dynamics. It is common for couples to filter their feelings and words in front of each other. We discussed that topic and the need for a judgement-free conversation. Too often, we self-censor and that inhibits unpacking the issues at hand.

Going through a series of “high-gain” questions, Anne and Stuart shared their individual money stories, each one’s perspective of the present situation, and each one’s goals and objectives. The information that emerged from our conversation offered this couple an opportunity to hear each other “differently” and to learn each other’s view around money and finances from, what I refer to as, the human side of money.

”I think our meeting was very helpful. The ability to work on the budget without throwing the computer through the window speaks volumes about your own counsel and my PM's ability as a teacher and coach. “

With the information and knowledge gleaned from our conversation, I was able to work on a financial decision making grid for them to use a reference point. The gird unpacks the “big hairy beast” that a finance problem can morph into.

Having definitive objectives and goals gave Anne and Stuart a platform with which to move forward. Anne was able to understand the family finances and began to take a more active role in the decision-making process. Stuart was able to feel less pressured by the budgetary decreases as well as by the intuitive and helpful partner that Anne became.

Their portfolio manager was also given their goals and objectives grid. He was able to monitor their progress and offer his expertise and assistance throughout their journey.

”Since our meeting I am developing more financial agency in my marriage, which is helps reduce stress and encourages a closer partnership between Stuart and I. We are starting to make plans for next year, something that was fraught with anxiety earlier. Now I feel like together we can plan and budget and commit.”

Case Study: Steve

“I stepped into a circle of creativity and courage that Emily designed. Courage to look at the difficult subjects and creativity to address them afresh. I found this daunting at first, and Emily saw this and brought caring into our circle. She heartened my problem-solving self and equipped me with practical tools. The outcomes are exceptional, and I have gained a trusted advisor and coach.”

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Steve and his wife are in good health and have built a successful consulting company.  He has two adult daughters from his first marriage, two adult sons with his second wife, grandchildren, siblings, nieces and nephews. There are some familial challenges, health challenges, and multi-generational challenges that Steve wanted to review before he redid his estate plan.

It was very important to Steve that his head and heart were aligned with his revisions. After their initial conversation, Emily created a document for him that contained a recap of the information he had shared, the questions he pondered and the gaps between what existed and what he was feeling. Emily’s guidance included the timeline approach as well. She detailed what had to be accomplished in the short term, should something happen to him sooner rather than later. Next, they looked at the different scenarios that they had discussed to see which ones resonated with his mindful and emotional self. Emily also included suggested conversation points he could have with his wife and each of his four children to gain further clarity.

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“If I have to walk through a pitch-black room and I stumble into a chair, it makes me angry and anxious about other unseen obstacles.  But if you tell me beforehand that there’s a chair in the room, when I stumble into it I don’t feel angry or anxious.  I actually feel reassured:  I’m in the right room, I found the chair and I can move ahead.”

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Steve had these conversations with each member of his immediate family and reported back that they were some of the most meaningful, loving, and informative conversations he has ever had with them.

The next step was to take the new information and integrate it with his own resonance. After that process, Emily gave Steve an outline of questions for his professional team to ensure that his financial picture and the state’s legal requirements were in sync with his wishes.  Steve’s new estate plan is now fully aligned with all aspects of his life, his head, and his heart.

Case Study: Barbara

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“While it seemed it would be a long process to help Barbara select the beneficiaries of her charitable trust, she informed me today that with your report she was able to identify all of the organizations she wants to support.

“I can say with certainty that in addition to giving Barbara the ability to make informed decisions about her giving, you have given her a thread of hope to follow.  Now she is engaged and motivated to know the organizations you presented and she has a much better sense of her potential impact. 'Thank you' is inadequate.  'Bless you' is more like it.”

- Barbara's Asset Manager

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Emily was brought in by an asset manager to consult her client, Barbara, on bequest concerns. Barbara was eager to name 10-12 organizations in her trust to be paid out upon her death. She had a keen interest in five areas.  

Emily researched each field of interest, scanned for the top nonprofits, went through the due diligence process, and visited each site to assess the organizations. She determined if each organization had planned giving/bequest experience, endowments, the capacity to absorb a large gift, and what would be the best time schedule for that gift.

It was clear to Emily that the plan to be created allowed for fluidity in the fields of interest.  She developed a list of questions for Barbara’s trustees should particular organizations fail to meet their missions and/or obligations.  Barbara and Emily also spent time detailing her intentions, values, and beliefs so that, in the event the named organizations failed her tests, her trustees would have her guidance to fulfill her wishes with other nonprofits.

An additional benefit of the process for Barbara was having her passion being ignited. She started donating to these nonprofits in present time, building relationships with the executive directors, and joining communities of like-minded individuals.

Case Study: Diane & Jan

Diane and Jan had an estate plan that was created 8 years ago.  In that time, they acquired more assets, adopted two dogs, supported different causes, and had altered relationships with some family members and friends.  Together with Emily, they discussed these different elements of their lives and how these changes affected their feelings and intentions. The ensuing personal conversation covered a lot of ground by looking at the alignments and disconnects with their head and heart. Questions of taking care of the surviving spouse, equitable giving to family members, next generation funding, asset distribution, philanthropic bequests, honoring friendships, and a host of other issues and concerns were discussed.

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“Emily helped us sort through our legal papers and rethink some of the decisions that were out of date or no longer accurate. She also helped us find the ‘story’ about our legacy and helped us think of ways to leave that legacy to people closest to us. Because of Emily’s help, we were left with reports that reflected our true intentions and deepest beliefs.”

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To help Diane and Jan digest all of the information more easily, Emily created an initial report that featured three areas: the information of their lives that they had shared with Emily, a recap of the ideas that resonated with them, and suggested action items. From there, the three of them sat down again to discuss the report findings: what points they felt had alignment, what was still missing, and what new information had arisen since.  Emily then provided a final report which contained a timeline of items that they could discuss with their estate lawyer, as well as items that they could continue to discuss between themselves.