Family Retreat

Clarifying Values Within the Family

Sharing information about family finances can be daunting, especially when it requires pulling together for a common goal based on family values. One certainty is that without a plan the taxman cometh. But even with the best plan, financial decisions that affect generations to come can result in disharmony or discord between parents and children.

To avoid not only taxation, but to decide how you want your wealth to live on after you die, Sally believes that the most successful process is a 2-day Family Retreat to a quiet place away from the pressures and distractions of work and home.

Retreat Here, couples take time to settle family issues and clarify their wishes, goals, values and beliefs: What is important to you and to your children? How you want to be remembered? How you want to influence the things of the world you care about most?

The process begins with each spouse working through a questionnaire. Then a full day is spent going over the thoughts, feelings, hopes and desires for the family. Consideration is given to family history and tradition of both spouses. Dreams are explored and all this input helps us make suggestions, along with other advisors, about a new wealth transfer plan that answers questions like:

  • What are we trying to achieve as a family?
  • What legacy do I want to leave for those who come behind me?
  • What values do we hold as individuals and a family to guide us?
  • How can we distribute the family wealth based on these values?
  • What goals do we hope to accomplish with this distribution?

The experience is always deeply personal, and sometimes emotional as couples work through their life purpose, their individual and shared desires for passing on their wealth to their families and funding charitable organizations that share their vision and passions.

The Sally Alspaugh CAP™ Family Retreat

Blackberry Farm One of our favorite Family Retreat places is Blackberry Farm, a small luxury hotel on a 2,500 acre estate in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. Blackberry Farm is a 4-diamond award winning country inn chosen as the #1 Small Hotel in America by the 2004 Zagat Survey.

To learn more about Blackberry Farm, take a virtual tour of this special getaway place or call our office for brochures and a little background on our personal experiences there.

Family Wealth Letter of Intent

One of the results of the retreat is the writing of a Family Wealth Letter of Intent. We have found that seldom do individuals or families take the time or have the talent to put into words the memories and dreams of a lifetime, but with our help and encouragement our clients do. An oft-requested quote for the letter’s end is from Dr. Gordon Kingsley,

“…giving of ourselves and of what we have often surprises us, sneaks up on us in joy.”

Please view a sampling of Family Wealth Letters of Intent written as a result of various retreats.

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Sally’s Bookshelf

Bookshelf Browse Sally’s personal bookshelf of recommended reading on philanthropy and planned giving with synopses and links for online purchase. Look for Sally's personal Reviews.

Articles & Information

Articles Articles by Renata J. Rafferty, a leading advocate for informed philanthropy, and other worthwhile snippets and reprints.

 

Family Retreat

Retreat Discover a 2-day couple’s retreat to settle family issues and clarify wishes, goals, values and beliefs in a quiet setting. Samples of Family Letters of Intent.

Case Studies

Case Study Disinheriting the IRS: A case study of how one couple, the Mastersons, built a legacy of voluntary philanthropy instead of involuntary estate taxation.