By Jeff McClean
Imagine working your entire life to provide for your family, only to realize the most impactful financial gift you could offer your children is only enjoyed after your death. As many clients have pointed out over the years, the concept sounds off.
The traditional model of inheritance—accumulating wealth to pass on in a lump sum at death—is and likely will continue to be the norm. But for some successful families, especially those who have experienced the uphill, rocky climb of entrepreneurship, this approach may not be the best way to set the next generation up for success. That’s where the idea of the “anti-inheritance” plan comes into play.
Instead of leaving your kids with the false binary choice of leaving them nothing or leaving them everything but only upon death, the Anti-Inheritance Plan reinvents when and how you pass on wealth—and doing it with purpose.
Why the Old Way Falls Short
Here’s the paradox: most children inherit wealth when they are already established in life. In many cases, the children are in their 50s or 60s, well past the years when an injection of capital could have eased the pressure of buying a first home, launched a business, or simply helped them breathe a bit easier during those financially anxious years of early adulthood in starting a career and a family.
When wealth transfer is delayed only until death, the financial opportunity for parents to actively participate in their children’s launch phase (guiding and coaching them with clear accountability and enjoying the fruits of that support) disappears. That’s a missed moment. Not just for the next generation, but for you.
Launch Support, Not Lifetime Support
Warren Buffett’s famous inheritance quote resonates with successful families, to whom he advocated: “Leave your children enough so that they can do anything, but not enough so that they can do nothing.” As you consider this quote, think back to your own story. If you’re like many of our clients, those first few years—building a business, starting a family, buying your first home, managing debt, trying to get a foothold—were incredibly difficult. Maybe even painful and (at times) overwhelming. And while that struggle built character, there is a difference between hardship that strengthens and hardship that crushes.
What if you could remove just enough friction to give your children a head start, without robbing them of the lessons that come from doing hard things?
That’s what the Anti-Inheritance Plan is about. Helping your kids when it matters most, not when it’s easiest for you. And, in most successful families today, this is already being implemented in various ways.
Die With Zero? Not So Fast.
You’ve probably heard of the concept of “die with zero,” the idea of spending your wealth to maximize life experiences rather than leaving behind a pile of unused money. Philosophically, it’s appealing. Practically? It’s risky, and the recommendations made in the popular book describing the concept are wildly irresponsible. None of us knows exactly how long we will live or what healthcare costs or market surprises the future holds.
That’s why at Solidarity Wealth we like to reframe the conversation. Instead of dying with zero, think of it as living with intention for both you and your family. Using your wealth in ways that align with your values, support your loved ones, and create shared memories while you’re still around to enjoy them.
You can still be strategic and build a legacy. But maybe that legacy isn’t a check. Maybe it’s your presence, your guidance, some financial assistance, and the values you instill by walking alongside your children and grandchildren as they build lives of their own.
Real-Life Applications
So what does this look like in practice?
- Help with a down payment on a first home in a safe neighborhood where your kids can raise their family.
- Invest in their education or career training, especially during transitions or career pivots.
- Fund shared experiences (e.g., family trips, service projects, or retreats) that create memories and reinforce values.
- Provide seed capital for a new business, paired with mentorship and accountability. The entrepreneurial experience of the wealth creator is a huge advantage to the next generation.
- For those children who pursue noble, service-oriented professions like teaching or public service that come with low compensation, ensure that your grandchildren will still have the educational opportunities and life experiences you provided your children.
- Hold family meetings where financial literacy is taught, and wealth is discussed openly, helping them understand not just the “what,” but the “why” behind the family’s financial philosophy.
Stewardship That Builds Capability, Not Dependence
Giving earlier doesn’t mean giving recklessly or without guardrails. It requires careful planning, clear boundaries, and sometimes even professional coaching to help the next generation understand the responsibilities that come with wealth.
Many of our clients at Solidarity Wealth are first-generation wealth creators who remember what it felt like to have nothing. That memory fuels their desire to give, but also their caution. They don’t want to ruin their kids with money. And neither do we.
We help clients structure intentional, values-driven plans that prioritize family harmony, smart tax strategy, and long-term sustainability. Whether through gifting strategies, family governance, or facilitated discussions, our goal is to help you become the kind of steward your future self (and your family) will be proud of.
Start the Conversation
Beginning a new year is the perfect time to rethink what legacy really means to you. Is it an account balance or something more?
If you’re interested in exploring how to build a living legacy, one that empowers rather than entitles, we’d love to talk. Get in touch by emailing info@solidaritywealth.com or calling 385-374-1665.
Because the best gift you can give your children might not be the one that arrives after you’re gone. It might be the one that shows up right when they need it most.
Frequently Asked Questions About Anti-Inheritance
What is an anti-inheritance plan?
An anti-inheritance plan rethinks the traditional idea of passing on wealth only after death. Instead, it encourages strategic, purposeful giving during a parent’s lifetime, especially during critical stages of a child’s growth, to maximize impact and shared experience.
What is the difference between an anti-inheritance plan and the “die with zero” strategy?
While “die with zero” promotes spending all your wealth before death, an anti-inheritance plan focuses on intentional giving while alive, without compromising long-term financial security. It balances generosity with stewardship and family values.
Does giving early mean my children won’t be financially responsible?
Not necessarily. In fact, when done thoughtfully, early giving can help teach financial responsibility. By pairing financial support with mentorship, boundaries, and education, parents can instill stewardship, not entitlement, in their children.
About Jeff
For over a dozen years, Jeff McClean has advised some of the country’s most successful families on all aspects of their wealth. With his background as a former tax and estate planning attorney at a prominent Houston, Texas, law firm, Jeff has advised clients through business sales, funding rounds, IPOs, complex tax and wealth planning transactions, private and public market investments, executive compensation packages, succession planning, and much more. In short, Jeff helps clients navigate the unique challenges that come with building wealth and helps them better predict their financial future.
In addition to co-founding Solidarity Wealth, Jeff advises single-family offices on a broad array of challenges. He also serves as the Managing Partner of Solidarity Capital, an income fund managed separately by the Solidarity partners.
Jeff is a sought-after thought leader on a wide range of tax, finance, and estate planning topics. Jeff has appeared on CNBC, Bloomberg, and Fox Business, has been quoted in The Wall Street Journal, Barron’s, and Yahoo!Finance, has published in diverse publications from Silicon Slopes Magazine to the Taxation of Exempts Journal by Thomson Reuters, and spoken to endless professional groups and large company conferences.
Jeff holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Brigham Young University – Idaho and a Juris Doctor, with honors, from the University of Texas School of Law. Outside of work, Jeff is married and the father of three amazing children. He has also served as past president of the Salt Lake Estate Planning Council.
Solidarity Wealth is a registered investment adviser. This material is solely for informational purposes. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where Solidarity Wealth and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure. Past performance is no guarantee of future returns. Investing involves risk and possible loss of principal capital. No advice may be rendered by Solidarity Wealth unless a client service agreement is in place.
