{"id":13232,"date":"2025-12-21T07:00:33","date_gmt":"2025-12-21T13:00:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/legaltalktexas.hammerle.com\/?p=13232"},"modified":"2025-12-18T18:59:05","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T00:59:05","slug":"estate-planning-that-builds-independence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hammerle.com\/legaltalk\/estate-planning\/estate-planning-that-builds-independence\/","title":{"rendered":"Give a Gift for the Generations &#8211; Growing Up Is Hard to Do"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2><b>Does the Fault Lie With Us?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Look at the age of accomplishment for past <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/hammerle.com\/legaltalk\/estate-planning\/generational-transfer-of-wealth-guidelines-for-thoughtful-gifting\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">generations<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On July 4, 1776, Alexander Hamilton was 21, James Monroe was 18, James Madison was 25, Aaron Burr was 20, and Thomas Jefferson was 33. It would be more accurate to reference our Founding Fathers as \u201cFounding Young Adults.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In World War II, the average age of an American soldier was 26. For Marines, the average age was even lower.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In 1950, the median age for a first marriage in the U.S. was 20 for women and 22\u201323 for men.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Measuring Today\u2019s Young Adults Against the Past<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There is no question that many young adults aren\u2019t measuring up. Many haven\u2019t reached the milestones we worked so hard to achieve: a stable job by their early 20s, marriage and kids, home ownership or renting on their own, or a long-term career trajectory.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It must be our fault, somehow. Where did we fail them?<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>The Question Reveals the Answer<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The answer lies in the question. Or, to be more specific, the answer is that we are even asking the question.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>A Story About Helping Too Much<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ruth Zardo, a character in Louise Penny\u2019s <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gamache<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> series, had a similar issue. She rescued two duck eggs and set out to hatch them.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>The Duckling Lesson<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When the first duckling began pecking out of its shell, Ruth helped it. But when the second duckling hatched, Ruth did not intervene. The first duckling died, but the second thrived.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Only then did Ruth realize that, by helping, she had inadvertently deprived the first duckling of developing its muscles by pecking and pushing to break free, leaving it too weak to survive.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>How Overprotection Weakens Independence<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many in the older generation have made the same error. Every time we shield our kids from real-world trial and error, we cost them strength.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We intervene when we should stay out of it.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br class=\"yoast-text-mark\" \/>&gt;<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We lower expectations instead of increasing challenges.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br class=\"yoast-text-mark\" \/>&gt;<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We shave off the highs and the lows.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>The Long-Term Effects of Coddling<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The results are in from all of that coddling, and for many kids, they don\u2019t look good. That puts much of the<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/hammerle.com\/legaltalk\/probate\/heres-heir-theres-heir-heirs-everywhere\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> older generation<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in a conundrum.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If we failed them in the past, then we are probably still holding true to the pattern. We are still protecting them and trying to help them break out of their shell.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For their sakes, we have to stop.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Why This Matters Now: A Historic Wealth Transfer<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Why? It\u2019s all about the money.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Baby boomers hold over $85 trillion in assets. There will be a significant transfer of assets in the next several decades, and much of that will be passed on to the kids, ready or not.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They will have to take responsibility and make decisions.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br class=\"yoast-text-mark\" \/>&gt;<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They will have to learn to handle success and failure.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br class=\"yoast-text-mark\" \/>&gt;<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They will have to get out of the basement and off their computer.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br class=\"yoast-text-mark\" \/>&gt;<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They will have to\u2014gasp\u2014work.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>The Best Gift You Can Give Your Children and Grandchildren<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You ask what gift you should give your kids and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/hammerle.com\/legaltalk\/legal-talk\/3-ways-that-grandparents-can-get-custody-of-grandchildren\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">grandkids <\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this holiday season. It is simple.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Take away the safety net.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let them deal with consequences.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let them grow up.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Estate Planning Without Enabling Dependence<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Make an <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/hammerle.com\/practice-areas\/estate-planning\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">estate plan<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that will not ruin their lives. Don\u2019t just hand them several million, thousands, or even hundreds of dollars without guardrails.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you have a lot of money and they still have a lot of growing up to do, then set up a trust with guidelines and goals.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Building Responsibility Into the Plan<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gradually involve them in decision-making, but tie it to achieving their milestones, not yours.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>A Holiday Opportunity to Set a New Course<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Christmas and Hanukkah are marked by family celebrations that often bring generations together. Here is your opportunity to set a new course and give your kids and grandkids the best gift ever.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Their independence.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Conclusion: Give a Gift That Builds Independence, Not Dependence<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Growing up has never been easy\u2014but it has become harder when challenges are removed instead of faced. As this next generation prepares to inherit not just wealth, but responsibility, the choices made today will shape their ability to thrive tomorrow. True growth comes from effort, accountability, and learning through both success and failure.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Thoughtful estate planning can be one of the most meaningful ways to encourage independence rather than enable reliance. By putting clear structure, expectations, and safeguards in place, families can protect assets while also protecting future generations from the unintended consequences of too much, too soon.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At Hammerle Morris Law Firm, we help families design estate plans that reflect their values, support long-term growth, and prepare heirs for the responsibilities ahead. Schedule a consultation to discuss how trusts and other planning tools can help you pass on your legacy with intention.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Virginia Hammerle is an accredited estate planner and represents clients in estate planning, probate, guardianship, and contested litigation. She may be reached at <\/span><\/i><a href=\"mailto:legaltalktexas@hammerle.com\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">legaltalktexas@hammerle.com<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. This blog contains general information only and does not constitute legal advice.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Does the Fault Lie With Us? Look at the age of accomplishment for past generations. On July 4, 1776, Alexander Hamilton was 21, James Monroe was 18, James Madison was 25, Aaron Burr was 20, and Thomas Jefferson was 33. It would be more accurate to reference our Founding Fathers as \u201cFounding Young Adults.\u201d In [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":13233,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[1224],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-13232","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-estate-planning"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Give a Gift for the Generations - Growing Up Is Hard to Do - Hammerle Morris Law Firm<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Give your children and grandchildren the gift of independence through thoughtful estate planning that builds responsibility, not dependence.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/hammerle.com\/legaltalk\/estate-planning\/estate-planning-that-builds-independence\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Give a Gift for the Generations - Growing Up Is Hard to Do - Hammerle Morris Law Firm\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Give your children and grandchildren the gift of independence through thoughtful estate planning that builds responsibility, not dependence.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/hammerle.com\/legaltalk\/estate-planning\/estate-planning-that-builds-independence\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Hammerle Morris Law Firm\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-12-21T13:00:33+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/hammerle.com\/legaltalk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/12.21-Give-a-Gift-For-the-Generations.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2120\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1414\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Virginia Hammerle\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Virginia Hammerle\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/hammerle.com\\\/legaltalk\\\/estate-planning\\\/estate-planning-that-builds-independence\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/hammerle.com\\\/legaltalk\\\/estate-planning\\\/estate-planning-that-builds-independence\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Virginia Hammerle\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/hammerle.com\\\/legaltalk\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/3a35dce360aad1cd9da53574c3c1a6bd\"},\"headline\":\"Give a Gift for the Generations &#8211; 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