The Confident Benefactor’s Guide
Matthew Barnhart | Financial Planner
Part of our mission is "Bringing Families Closer," so we created this simple framework for supporting clients who are benefactors, & have decided to offer it here as well. We hope it helps at least give a starting point for bringing some clarity, connection & continuity to your family's financial journey.
Quick reminder: Your Role Matters More Than You May Think
Every family has someone who naturally becomes the steady branch others lean on. The person who keeps things organized, pays attention to the details, and wants to ensure the next generation feels cared for, and understood, not just financially, but emotionally.
If that sounds like you, know this:
· Your influence reaches far beyond account values or documents.
· You shape how your family experiences security, clarity, and connection.
· We created this list to help you feel confident and supported as you continue to nurture your family tree.
A Simple Framework for Confident Multi-Generational Planning
1. Clarity: Understanding the plan, knowing the why behind decisions, and having a roadmap helps eliminate unnecessary stress, for you and your beneficiaries.
2. Connection: When everyone shares the same understanding, communication becomes easier. Expectations align. Misunderstandings shrink.
3. Continuity: Your decisions today help future generations thrive. Small preparations now create stability later.
Your Big Picture Preparedness Checklist (below)
What to have in place for family confidence:
- A clear understanding of your financial plan
- Beneficiaries who know the basics of their role
- Updated documents (will, trust, beneficiaries)
- A documented list of accounts and key contacts
- A plan for life transitions (retirement, care, business, etc.)
- Shared family values or guiding principles
- A trusted advisor who connects all the pieces
A Final Thought: When benefactors and beneficiaries understand the journey together, the whole family tree grows stronger.
If you’d like help working through this list, we’ll be here. And/or if you'd like a more developed, easily actionable list, see our next blog: What Every Benefactor Should Know: 7 Essentials for a Confident Family Financial Journey
