When most people think about financial planning, they imagine spreadsheets, retirement projections, or market analysis. And yes, all of that matters. But after more than two decades working with families in different parts of the world, I’ve learned something deeper:
The most important work happens behind the scenes.
It doesn’t make headlines or annual reports. It’s the part that most people never see, but where real transformation happens.
🧭 What Happens Behind the Scenes
Reviewing a client’s will, line by line, to ensure it reflects their true wishes—not just what they signed years ago.
Mediating a conversation between siblings about inheritance and fairness before it turns into resentment.
Helping a widow make her first financial decision on her own.
Asking, “What are you afraid to tell me about your money?”—and listening without judgment.
🔍 True Planning is Personal, Not Just Technical
Being a Certified Financial Planner™ gives me the tools, of course. But my work goes beyond the technical. It means helping clients:
Make financial decisions that align with their values.
Create systems that bring peace to family dynamics.
Prepare the next generation—not just financially, but also emotionally—to be good stewards.
🧩 Why This Matters
Clients don’t remember their portfolio’s performance in 2018. They remember who called them back during the market downturn. They remember the advisor who asked about their aging parents, or who helped them organize their financial life in a moment of chaos.
That’s what I take seriously. That’s the part that doesn’t appear in brochures.
🤝 My Approach is Designed for Families Who Want Clarity, Not Complexity
It’s designed for:
Women going through major life transitions.
Families with a vision of legacy—but no roadmap yet.
People who want alignment, not just accumulation.
📩 Let’s Talk—Quietly, Strategically, With Intention
If you’ve ever thought, “I don’t need more charts. I need someone who understands me,” maybe it’s time to look behind the scenes…and discover what financial planning can feel like when it’s built around what truly matters.
About the Author
Elaine King, CFP® | Founder of the Family and Money Matters® Institute
Elaine King is a Certified Financial Planner™ with over 20 years of experience advising high-net-worth families on multigenerational wealth planning, cross-border estate planning, and financial governance. She is the author of 8 books on financial literacy and legacy planning, and has been recognized by Forbes and Mamapedia as one of the most influential voices in finance.
As the founder of Family and Money Matters®, she helps families align their financial strategies with their life goals—especially women navigating transitions such as divorce, inheritance, or business succession.
Elaine is a frequent speaker at international events, a CFP Board Ambassador, and has been featured in media outlets including CNN, Telemundo, and PBS.
