Monograph

Legacy Planning

The case study presented below is only current as of the date delivered, and it is provided for illustrative and informational purposes only. It is not intended to nor should be construed as a guarantee or assurance of future financial outcomes. The content discussed reflects the specific financial circumstances of the respective client; each client’s individual circumstances are unique, and outcomes will vary. Past performance is not indicative of future results; projections have inherent limitations and may not come to fruition. The statements contained herein do not constitute nor should be construed as personal financial, tax, or legal advice, nor a solicitation of any type. Each client's situation is unique and thus requires individualized financial, tax, and legal advice from a qualified financial professional, CPA, and attorney, respectively.  The client situation discussed within reflects that of a current client; such client did not receive any cash or non-cash compensation  in relation to this case study. The firm’s disclosures are available here or upon request.

Stewarding the Successful Proprietor to the Next Chapter

At Monograph Wealth, we have developed a business transaction process that seeks to minimize frictions and maximize the satisfaction from wealth painstakingly created by the business founder.

The following case study illustrates our approach to meeting the family’s life objectives, reducing transaction costs and tax liabilities, and building the systems and structures to enjoy the fruits of a lifetime of labor.


The Client

A husband and wife moved to the U.S. several decades ago and built a successful artisanal food brand. In the process, the husband and wife (Generation 1) welcomed three children (Generation 2) to the family, and hitherto three grandchildren (Generation 3). Potential buyers identified the $275mm company as a prime acquisition candidate. A portion of the company had been gifted to a trust for subsequent generations early in its existence.


The Challenge

The client’s goal was to exit the business, enjoy their success, elevate their quality of life, establish a productive financial foundation for Generation 2+, and enable meaningful charitable efforts. Intergenerational considerations centered on the parents’ desire to retain control while incentivizing their children to pursue careers and disciplined stewardship of future resources.


The Solution

Monograph built and implemented a custom plan for the client family by guiding a process to identify and refine the family’s life objectives. This strategy strives to optimize desired financial life outcomes, minimize or defer taxes, and protect the family from liability. Thoughtful planning and foresight endeavors to enable their wealth structure to grow and endure across multiple generations.

Monograph constructed a wealth plan to allow the family to establish and maintain sufficient resources to meet multi-generational objectives. 

The plan is addressed quarterly with the client to ensure alignment, measure success, and consider all opportunities.

Monograph shepherded the advisory team including tax, estate and corporate counsel,  during and after the corporate sale, to implement the family plans:

Built a purpose – driven investment strategy illuminating how unique assets are invested to fund specific life objectives

  • Coordinated with accountants and estate attorneys to execute upon agreed management plan, resulting in gift tax savings of $25mm+

  • Designed a charitable strategy, interfacing with corporate counsel to implement the gift of corporate interests prior to the transaction, along with the independent appraisal required by the IRS, resulting in income tax savings of over $5mm

Financial Structure Management:

The iterative process of identifying and balancing current & future resources (e.g., future earnings and inheritance) with family financial goals. 

It is the alignment of all capital assets and liabilities and the ongoing deployment of investments to meet those objectives.

Monograph’s comprehensive platform facilitates financial structure management by transparently illuminating trade-offs & structure health.

Ongoing Service

Monograph leads a virtual family office and continues to provide this client with wealth advisory and investment management services as the household realizes priorities and establishes new ones.

These include the following:

  • Ongoing financial structure & investment management

  • Quarterly meetings to discuss portfolio performance, strategy
    refinements, and proprietary economic and capital markets overview

  • Recurring tax, estate & insurance coordination with professional team

  • Coordination of funding and purchase of new primary and secondary residences, inter-family loans and support

  • Wealth advising and planning services to the three G2 households in their own unique strategies

  • Providing G2+ with financial literacy resources, education assistance, capital outlays, & review of out-of-state trustees

  • Development of effective G2+ stewardship

  • Hosting annual family meetings & updates, incorporating G2 spouses, to facilitate goals alignment, effective communication, and transfer of values

  • Execution on charitable giving strategies