For the past several months now I’ve been sharing my Family Wealth Secrets with you, but haven’t had a real clear definition of what Family Wealth is, exactly.

I do now.

Family Wealth is “The whole wealth that is passed on from one generation to the next, encompassing your financial, human, intellectual and spiritual capital.”

When passed on with intention, a family can maximize it’s Family Wealth across generations, as has been done by the Rockefellers and the Rothschilds, names that have become synonymous with wealth and well-being in America.

When Family Wealth is not intentionally considered, it is typically lost within three generations, giving rise to the proverb that crosses cultural lines - shirtsleeves to shirtsleeves in three generations.

In your culture it might be:

• Clogs to Clogs in three generations
• Barn Stalls to Barn Stalls in three generations
• Rice Paddies to Rice Paddies in three generations.

The shirtsleeves to shirtsleeves phenomena is the same regardless of culture because the pattern is universal.

The successor generation (your children or maybe even you) that enjoys the benefits of affluence is often not motivated to work as effectively as those who created the Family Wealth.

In my experience working with parents I can see that most parents are not giving these issues much thought until it appears to be too late.

When I meet with parents of young children, they are universally idealistic about their children’s future potential. They are optimistic that they will raise their children with their values and that their children will absorb those values.

Yet, most have no plan, no structure, no system in place for ensuring that happens.

Years go by and their sweet little babies turn into surly, rebellious, lazy, unmotivated teenagers and young adults.

I was one of these myself for quite a long time.

When I meet with parents of these teenagers and young adults, I am aware that these parents are desparately wishing they’d done a better job of preparing their children to receive wealth and oftentimes feel as if it’s too late.

They are worried their children will never find their passion, that they’ll fritter away the family resources when they receive them, and they won’t be able to grow the family resources in the same way the parents themselves have.

Fortunately, I know that it’s never too late and I’m building a series of Building Family Unity Through Family Wealth Planning books and programs that you can implement with your children at any age, which will prepare them to not only receive your Family Wealth, but to make a difference with it.

The first will be How Savvy Young Adults Can Live Their Dream Lives With Creativity and Passion By Making the Most of Their Family Wealth All While Making Their Parents Happy (lessons for parents who wonder what they can do to help their lazy, unmotivated kids make it happen)

If you would like to be interviewed for my book or participate in the pilot program, I’m looking to talk with those of you who have grown up in wealthy families and made the most of your family opportunities (whether they are contacts,stories, advice or money opportunities doesn’t matter).

I would also like to hear from you if you are a parent who is worried that your kids won’t capitalize on the opportunities you are going to leave behind.

Please email me with your story and a couple of paragraphs about how it will help my book or programs.

Also, please share this with anyone else you might know who could help me gather stories of kids who have taken what their family left them - whether it was contacts, stories, advice, or money - and turned it into something extraordinary.

And, if you want to watch as I build these programs and write the book, subscribe to my It’s All Happening weekly ezine where I let you watch as I follow my dream of Guiding Families to Greater Wealth, Health and Happiness. I’ll let you learn from my mistakes and pave the way for you to live your dreams too.

If you are a creative, heart-centered person who has a dream and you are ready to make it happen, send an email to me with It’s All Happening in the subject line and we’ll get you signed up.

Copyright 2007 by Alexis Neely. This article may be copied and used in your own newsletter or on your website as long as you include the following information: “Written by Alexis Neely, mom, writer, speaker and personal family lawyer. Yes, a lawyer who brings more wealth, health and happiness to your life. Find out how on her website at: www.FamilyWealthMatters.com”

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Upcoming Events To Bring You More Wealth, Health and Happiness

June 3, 2007: Live event - Storyopolis - Studio City

Are Your Kids Protected? Studio City Personal Family Lawyer Eric Grodan shows you 7 steps to ensuring the absolute protection of your children should anything happen to you. RSVP required -www.martinneely.com/kidsevent

June 14, 2007: Live event - Manhattan Beach Women in Business - Hermosa Beach

Are Your Kids Protected? Hear Alexis share the simple secrets of ensuring your kids will be taken care of if anything happens to you at the Manhattan Beach Women in Business Meeting.

June 26, 2007 at 12p Pacific - Family Wealth Health and Happiness Tele-Call

Is Your Home Toxic? Alexis interviews Healthy House Expert Abigail Dotson so you can learn the 5 most common areas of toxicity in your home and what you can do that will literally leave you breathing easier.

July 31, 2007 at 12p Pacific - Family Wealth Health and Happiness Tele-Call

Have you been longing for financial freedom? Best-selling author Chellie Campbell will bring it to you. Don’t miss this call!

Go to http://www.familywealthmatters.com/calls to register for the tele-calls and call details will be emailed to you.

To your Wealth, Health and Happiness,

Alexis

PS - I’m writing a book - working title: How Savvy Young Adults Live Their Dream Lives With Creativity and Passion By Making the Most of Their Family Wealth All While Making Their Parents Happy (lessons for parents who wonder what they can do to help their lazy, unmotivated kids make it happen)

If you, or any of your friends, have made the most of family opportunities - including contacts, information, knowledge, as well as financial opportunities - or want to access your family wealth, but have no idea where to start, please email me and let me know your story and why it should be in my book.