Stacy Allred | Source | Managing Director, Center for Family Wealth Dynamics & Governance at Merrill ...

In the industry, we chuckle a little bit, because families want some sort of magic number … and the reality, of course, is that it's a lot more nuanced.

Decisions about family money have the potential to change lives, yet the outcome depends on how well the purpose and reasoning behind those decisions are understood, and too often that is left unsaid. Misunderstanding can lead to family conflicts, resentment and other unintended consequences, including the misuse or loss of family wealth.