What Is an InheritanceSep 2, 2025“What is an inheritance, anyway?” It is such a rhetorical question, yet when was the last time we stopped to actually answer it thoughtfully? Or objectively, rather than emotionally? Again, to quote our friends at Alts, “…analytically, an inheritance is nothing more than an illiquid financial asset that typically remains inaccessible until the benefactor’s death:Let’s assume that your parents plan to leave all their assets to their kids. You and your siblings have an ownership claim on a share of their estate.This claim has an uncertain future value, depending on the volatility of the underlying assets and how much your parents spend.This claim also has an uncertain liquidity date, depending on when your parents pass away. (Sorry, there’s no nice way to say that…)In fact, this looks awfully similar to owning stock in a pre-IPO company, waiting for the ‘listing date’ to cash in the value of your shares.A huge part of modern finance is about monetizing illiquid financial assets, whether they be private shares, life insurance, or fine art. Why should inheritance be any different? Monetizing an inheritance allows heirs to unlock family wealth today to start building their own financial future – without disrupting their parents’ retirement plan.In a world of longer lifespans, it’s clear that unlocking inheritances early can provide significant value. But existing pathways to do so leave a lot to be desired.”I have been obsessed recently with these questions: How much more valuable is $1 today than $2 at some unknown tomorrow? What could the next generation do with that $1 today? Could they use it to earn more than the $2 by the unknown tomorrow? Curious as to your thoughts here, open to any and all ideas that move our lives forward…
What Is an InheritanceSep 2, 2025“What is an inheritance, anyway?” It is such a rhetorical question, yet when was the last time we stopped to actually answer it thoughtfully? Or objectively, rather than emotionally? Again, to quote our friends at Alts, “…analytically, an inheritance is nothing more than an illiquid financial asset that typically remains inaccessible until the benefactor’s death:Let’s assume that your parents plan to leave all their assets to their kids. You and your siblings have an ownership claim on a share of their estate.This claim has an uncertain future value, depending on the volatility of the underlying assets and how much your parents spend.This claim also has an uncertain liquidity date, depending on when your parents pass away. (Sorry, there’s no nice way to say that…)In fact, this looks awfully similar to owning stock in a pre-IPO company, waiting for the ‘listing date’ to cash in the value of your shares.A huge part of modern finance is about monetizing illiquid financial assets, whether they be private shares, life insurance, or fine art. Why should inheritance be any different? Monetizing an inheritance allows heirs to unlock family wealth today to start building their own financial future – without disrupting their parents’ retirement plan.In a world of longer lifespans, it’s clear that unlocking inheritances early can provide significant value. But existing pathways to do so leave a lot to be desired.”I have been obsessed recently with these questions: How much more valuable is $1 today than $2 at some unknown tomorrow? What could the next generation do with that $1 today? Could they use it to earn more than the $2 by the unknown tomorrow? Curious as to your thoughts here, open to any and all ideas that move our lives forward…
“What is an inheritance, anyway?” It is such a rhetorical question, yet when was the last time we stopped to actually answer it thoughtfully? Or objectively, rather than emotionally? Again, to quote our friends at Alts, “…analytically, an inheritance is nothing more than an illiquid financial asset that typically remains inaccessible until the benefactor’s death:Let’s assume that your parents plan to leave all their assets to their kids. You and your siblings have an ownership claim on a share of their estate.This claim has an uncertain future value, depending on the volatility of the underlying assets and how much your parents spend.This claim also has an uncertain liquidity date, depending on when your parents pass away. (Sorry, there’s no nice way to say that…)In fact, this looks awfully similar to owning stock in a pre-IPO company, waiting for the ‘listing date’ to cash in the value of your shares.A huge part of modern finance is about monetizing illiquid financial assets, whether they be private shares, life insurance, or fine art. Why should inheritance be any different? Monetizing an inheritance allows heirs to unlock family wealth today to start building their own financial future – without disrupting their parents’ retirement plan.In a world of longer lifespans, it’s clear that unlocking inheritances early can provide significant value. But existing pathways to do so leave a lot to be desired.”I have been obsessed recently with these questions: How much more valuable is $1 today than $2 at some unknown tomorrow? What could the next generation do with that $1 today? Could they use it to earn more than the $2 by the unknown tomorrow? Curious as to your thoughts here, open to any and all ideas that move our lives forward…
“What is an inheritance, anyway?” It is such a rhetorical question, yet when was the last time we stopped to actually answer it thoughtfully? Or objectively, rather than emotionally?
Again, to quote our friends at Alts, “…analytically, an inheritance is nothing more than an illiquid financial asset that typically remains inaccessible until the benefactor’s death:
Let’s assume that your parents plan to leave all their assets to their kids. You and your siblings have an ownership claim on a share of their estate.
This claim has an uncertain future value, depending on the volatility of the underlying assets and how much your parents spend.
This claim also has an uncertain liquidity date, depending on when your parents pass away. (Sorry, there’s no nice way to say that…)
In fact, this looks awfully similar to owning stock in a pre-IPO company, waiting for the ‘listing date’ to cash in the value of your shares.
A huge part of modern finance is about monetizing illiquid financial assets, whether they be private shares, life insurance, or fine art. Why should inheritance be any different? Monetizing an inheritance allows heirs to unlock family wealth today to start building their own financial future – without disrupting their parents’ retirement plan.
In a world of longer lifespans, it’s clear that unlocking inheritances early can provide significant value. But existing pathways to do so leave a lot to be desired.”
I have been obsessed recently with these questions: How much more valuable is $1 today than $2 at some unknown tomorrow? What could the next generation do with that $1 today? Could they use it to earn more than the $2 by the unknown tomorrow? Curious as to your thoughts here, open to any and all ideas that move our lives forward…