Rethinking Timing in Wealth Transfer
In recent years, a cultural conversation — triggered in part by books like Die With Zero, which encourage readers to think more intentionally about how they use their resources throughout their lifetime — has inspired many individuals and families to rethink the timing of their financial decisions. Instead of asking only, “What will I leave behind someday?” more people are asking a different question: How can my wealth transfer support the relationships, experiences, and impact that matter most — right now?
This shift shows a growing desire to coordinate resources with purpose, meaning, and connection — a philosophy that sits at the heart of Brighton Jones’ mission to help clients live their richer life.
Centering wealth around life, not the other way around
Wealth is frequently framed in terms of accumulation: grow it, protect it, plan for tomorrow. Those steps matter, but they’re only part of the story. Money also plays an intensely human role — it can support meaningful experiences, strengthen relationships, and help people live in accordance with their values.
We observe that many clients are asking a wider question: How can my resources bring meaning, joy, and impact across my life?
For many families, that answer looks like choosing experiences that become lifelong memories, making decisions that correspond with life stages rather than arbitrary timelines, and giving support when it really matters — whether that’s helping a child take their next big step or giving to causes early enough to witness the impact. These choices are highly individualized and depend on each family’s goals, comfort level, and financial circumstances.
This isn’t just a financial plan. It’s living with intention — using wealth as a tool to design a life which reflects your principles and goals.
Action Steps
- Define priorities: Consider documenting the interactions & connections you wish to focus on.
- Revisit regularly: Review your planning every 3–5 years or when major changes occur.
Intra‑life giving: Helping at the times that count most
Instead of viewing generosity as something that happens only at the end of life, more people are asking: Where could support make a real difference right now? Often, that shift happens when a parent watches a child navigate early adulthood — the first apartment, the first big career leap, the moment when student loan payments come due — and thinks, I am able to help with this. And I want to.
For some individuals, providing support at these times may relieve financial pressure or create opportunities. Still, outcomes vary, and the most appropriate approach depends on the giver’s financial soundness, comfort level, and long-term planning needs.
Common tools—such as annual exclusion gifts, 529 plans, intrafamily loans, or down‑payment assistance—are mechanisms to support intentional giving. The most important aspect is the gift’s purpose and confirming it suits both the giver’s and recipient’s circumstances.
A modern look at charitable giving
A similar shift is happening in philanthropy. More people want to give while they can witness the impact. They want to meet the people doing the work, see programs grow, or feel the ripple impact of their generosity in their communities.
Instead of waiting, they’re choosing to participate.
Tools such as Donor‑Advised Funds (DAFs), Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs), and charitable “bunching” strategies may provide flexibility and structure. A DAF allows a donor to make a contribution in a high-income year and recommend grants over time, while QCDs help individuals direct required IRA distributions to qualified nonprofits. These strategies carry specific rules and tax considerations, and the best approach depends on an individual’s situation.
Across all these strategies, the conversations we hear are shifting from “How do I maximize deductions?” to “What impact do I want my giving to have — and how do I stay connected to that purpose?” That is where generosity becomes transformative, not transactional.
Legacy planning: purposeful, not passive
For many families, legacy is no longer about accumulation. It’s about meaning. Clients often share goals related to education, resilience, curiosity, generosity, and community involvement. Many wish to prepare loved ones, both practically and emotionally, for the financial responsibilities ahead.
About the author: Katy McDonald, CFP®, is a Lead Advisor at Brighton Jones. She helps high-income professionals and families design tax-efficient investment strategies and retirement plans aligned with their principles and long-term goals.
Brighton Jones LLC is an SEC-registered investment adviser. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. This material is for informational purposes only and is not intended as tax, legal, or investment advice. All insurance coverage is subject to the terms of the policy and carrier approval. All investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal. Please consult a qualified professional regarding your personal circumstances.
