Legacy Planning, Inheritance Strategies & Navigating Market Volatility with Confidence
In Episode 2 of The Long View on Money, Chief Financial Planning Officer Tim Hilterman, CFP® and President & Chief Investment Officer John-Mark Young, CFP® take a deeper look at one of the most important—and often overlooked—areas of financial planning: legacy.
As the “Great Wealth Transfer” continues to unfold, with an estimated $84 trillion expected to pass from one generation to the next over the coming decades, many families are facing a critical question: what are we really passing on? While most conversations around inheritance focus on tax efficiency and asset distribution, Tim and John-Mark challenge listeners to think beyond the numbers and consider the deeper purpose of wealth.
Through a biblical lens, this episode explores what Scripture teaches about stewardship, responsibility, and the meaning of a true inheritance. Proverbs reminds us that a good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children—but what does that really mean? Is it simply about financial assets, or does it point to something greater—like faith, wisdom, and character? The discussion highlights how wealth, when viewed as something we steward rather than own, can be used to impact not only future generations but also the world around us.
Tim and John-Mark also walk through practical strategies to help families build a thoughtful, intentional legacy plan. They break down foundational estate planning tools like wills and trusts, explain the importance of keeping beneficiary designations up to date, and discuss how revocable living trusts can help families avoid probate and simplify the transfer of assets. The conversation also covers advanced planning opportunities, including annual gifting strategies, 529 education plans for multi-generational impact, and the role life insurance can play in creating liquidity and equalizing inheritances.
But effective legacy planning isn’t just about legal documents or tax strategies—it’s about communication. One of the most common (and costly) mistakes families make is failing to clearly communicate their intentions, values, and vision with the next generation. This episode emphasizes the importance of preparing heirs, not just assets, and introduces the idea of a “letter of instruction” or ethical will to help pass down the “why” behind your wealth.
In addition to legacy planning, the episode shifts to a timely market check-in, focusing on volatility and investor behavior. With recent market fluctuations driven by factors like geopolitical uncertainty, interest rate expectations, and shifting investor sentiment, many investors are feeling uneasy. Tim and John-Mark explain why volatility often feels worse than it actually is, touching on behavioral finance concepts like loss aversion and recency bias.
They also unpack the most common mistakes investors make during periods of uncertainty—such as reacting emotionally, trying to time the market, or letting headlines dictate long-term decisions. Instead, they offer a disciplined framework for navigating volatility: focusing on your financial plan rather than your portfolio, staying diversified, rebalancing when appropriate, and maintaining a long-term perspective.
Importantly, the conversation brings faith into the discussion of market uncertainty. How does trusting in something greater than the market change the way we respond to short-term fear? What does it look like to approach investing with patience, discipline, and perspective rooted in faith rather than emotion?
Whether you’re thinking about how to structure your estate, preparing the next generation, or simply trying to make sense of today’s market environment, this episode provides both practical guidance and meaningful perspective.
If you’re an investor, business owner, retiree, or someone who wants to think more clearly about money, legacy, and life—this episode will help you take the long view.
