Estate planning has more procrastination, indecision, and inertiaassociated with it than any other area of planning. Affluent babyboomers, in particular, as the beneficiaries of the largestintergenerational transfer of wealth in history, have a dauntingset of financial concerns with which to contend. Here at last is astep-by-step approach to estate planning that equips planners andfinancial advisors to help clients tackle this important processonce and for all.

Most clients understandably find planning concepts and strategiesconfusing, but most also have a fairly sound understanding of whoand what is most important to them. These are the priorities fromwhich to build the foundation of a successful estate plan. Theseven principles explored in this book use personal values as abasis to form The Legacy Planning System. With this approach,advisors can:
* Help clients discover and solidify their deepest values,convictions, and objectives relative to their money
* Help clients express those values and objectives in a clearlywritten Family Financial Philosophy mission statement
* Serve as the team leader in advising clients and clients otheradvisors on how to use the mission statement to direct the planningprocess

Clarifying your clients priorities and personal goals will enableyou, as a trusted advisor, to simplify the planning process forclients, ensure their lifetime financial independence, and helpthem control their ultimate family and social capital legacies.Confronting issues of family dynamics, taxes, and financialsituations not to mention accepting one s own mortality isdifficult for many people. In addition, since estate planning oftenrequires a shift in ownership of assets, clients feel an unsettlingloss of privacy and control over their financial resources. Helpyour clients to overcome these obstacles and achieve their highestfinancial and philanthropic aspirations. They ll thank you forgenerations to come.

Praise for Values-Based Estate Planning

"Scott Fithian s book provides planning professionals with newinsights into the estate planning process. Most importantly, hestresses the individual and family benefits of philanthropy throughthe concept of social capital which should be a key element to theplanner s inventory of client questions."--Charles W. Collier,Senior Philanthropic Advisor, Harvard University

"This exceptional book empowers planners with a well- organizedroadmap to lead wealthy clients to implementation of an estate planexpressing the clients own values. Scott Fithian s Legacy PlanningSystem focuses the advisor on the critical importance to the estateplanning process of helping clients identify and articulate theirvalues and objectives. This useful volume makes those ideasavailable to a much broader audience, while broadening the subjectwith illustrations of effective employment of the methodology hehas developed."--David Wheeler Newman, JD, LLM, Mitchell,Silberberg & Knupp LLP

"Fithian s view of the complete person helps the advanced advisoravoid the typical limitations (hazards) of planning for wealthyfamilies. The easy-to-understand and easy-to-follow methods helpdetermine in-depth values of the client s total financial goals.His methods result in cementing valuable relationships with themost prized clients. Critical reading for CPAs, attorneys,insurance agents, or other advisors." & mdash;Jessica M.Bibliowicz, President and CEO, National Financial Partners

"Scott s wealth optimization system is truly revolutionary. For thefirst time, affluent clients and their advisors can rely on a fullyintegrated system that spans all phases of wealth accumulation,management, and transfer over time. An outstandingreference!"--Robert Keys, The Private Client Group