The Problem Isn’t Taxes. It’s Forgetting the “Why.”
It’s easy to get caught up in the mechanics of estate planning, trusts, partnerships, and tax minimization. But according to attorney and TFO Wealth Partners’ Chris Erblich, those are the 40% problems. The real crisis? The 90%.
That’s the percentage of families who go from shirt sleeves to shirt sleeves in three generations.
In this episode of The Wealth and Purpose Podcast, Chris joins host Brady Fineske, CFP®, to unpack three unforgettable stories that illustrate what truly preserves family wealth: clarity of purpose.
The Banana Peel That Built a Billion-Dollar Mission
Chris recounts working with a billionaire who initially wanted help dodging estate taxes. But what changed everything was a single story from his childhood, giving a banana peel to a hungry classmate. That moment led him to dedicate his wealth to job creation. The entire family and company shifted overnight. The purpose became clear, and the legacy followed.
The Letter That Meant More Than the Plane
In another story, a father left his son a simple letter listing his values. Not instructions, not legal documents, values. The son had it framed, distributed to employees, and painted on the office wall. It was a legacy more powerful than any asset.
The Dash That Sparked Family Conversations
Chris also shares the story of a family who began each meeting with one question: How are you spending your dash? A reference to the poem “The Dash,” this small ritual became the family’s compass, guiding decisions, building bonds, and transferring meaning across generations.
The Challenge: What’s Your Platform?
Clayton Kershaw, a major league pitcher, told Chris, “Pitching is just my platform. What’s yours?” That same challenge echoes through this episode. Whether you’re raising kids or running a business, your platform has purpose if you choose to define it.
Legacy isn’t built by default. It’s built by design, and by asking the right question:
