A few years ago, I met a grandmother from Mexico who handed me a letter she had written for her grandchildren.
“They don’t need more money,” she said. “They need to know where they come from.”
That moment stayed with me—because beneath every estate plan lies a deeper purpose: to pass on not just wealth, but meaning.
Today, many global families are facing that same crossroad. An estimated $84 trillion will be transferred between generations over the next two decades. For families with roots in Latin America and children building lives abroad, the questions are no longer just technical—they’re deeply personal:
What’s the right amount to give?
When is the right time?
And how do we do this across countries, cultures, and legal systems?
To help answer these questions, I became a TEP (Trust and Estate Practitioner) through STEP—the global professional body for cross-border inheritance and succession planning. This designation allows me to collaborate with lawyers, accountants, and advisors worldwide to build strategies tailored to families with complex, international footprints.
One family I worked with in Peru didn’t ask how much—they asked why. We designed a legacy plan based on milestones, not age. Their children would inherit after completing meaningful life goals—like graduating, launching a business, or becoming parents. The result: an inheritance that wasn’t just timely, but transformational.
Another family with homes in Lima, heirs in Miami, and investments in Europe faced legal and tax complexities across borders. Together, we coordinated wills, trusts, and legal teams in three jurisdictions. What began as a legal puzzle ended with clarity, unity, and peace of mind.
Families often think the challenge is “how much?” But what they’re really asking is:
How do we empower without enabling?
How do we protect what we’ve built—while preserving the values that built it?
Your legacy is not just what you leave.
It’s what you set in motion.
Whether you’re a matriarch thinking ahead, or a first-generation wealth creator navigating global waters, you deserve a plan that reflects your values, your story, and your vision.
Let’s start with your questions—not your numbers.
About the Author
Elaine King, CFP®, TEP, is a financial planner, educator, and author named by Forbes as one of the 50 Most Powerful Women in Peru, by Investopedia as a Top 10 Financial Advisor, and by People en Español as one of the 25 Most Powerful Latinas. She has helped over 1,200 families, including 100 multigenerational enterprises, and her financial education programs have reached more than 20,000 students across the Americas. Founder of Family and Money Matters™, Elaine empowers families to align wealth with values. Her mission is to make money a positive force—especially for women, girls, and future generations.
