Ultra-high-net-worth families worry the younger generation lacks drive, and some choose not to disclose all their wealth
Fortune reported that ultra-high-net-worth families face concerns when handing wealth-management responsibilities to the younger generation, and some families choose not to disclose the full amount of family wealth to their children.
According to a June study by Bank of America, among ultra-high-net-worth respondents with more than $25 million in investable assets, 61% said they were worried about their children’s motivation. Actions they have taken include supporting their children’s business projects (51%), adding clauses to trusts (41%), and not disclosing the full amount of family wealth to their children (36%). The study also showed that only about one-third (36%) of respondents believed their heirs were already “fully prepared” to receive the inheritance.
An ultra-high-net-worth baby boomer respondent listed “while leaving an inheritance for the children, still cultivating their motivation and willingness to work and remain productive” as the biggest challenge in wealth planning. Wealth adviser Matthew Saul said that when families believe their children are not ready to receive large wealth, it is often because they have not been given enough opportunities to learn.
Original source:
Title: ‘Nobody prepared them’: The ultrawealthy worry wealth will dull their heirs’ ‘drive and desire’ and so some aren’t telling them how much there is Publisher: Fortune Date: 2026-10-25 URL: https://fortune.com/2026/10/25/ultrawealthy-wealth-heirs-drive-desire-how-much/ Source nature: media report Verification status: read this time (2026-10-26) Supporting content: ultra-high-net-worth families worry about the younger generation’s motivation; some do not disclose the full amount of wealth; Bank of America research data (61% worry about motivation, 36% do not disclose the full amount)
Title: Related post by FORTUNE (@FortuneMagazine) Publisher: Fortune Magazine Date: 2026-10-26 URL: https://x.com/FortuneMagazine Source nature: original media post Verification status: read this time (2026-10-26) Supporting content: report on ultra-high-net-worth families’ concerns when passing wealth-management responsibilities to the younger generation, with some choosing not to disclose the full amount
ABAB AI Insight
Fortune’s report focuses on the specific actions of ultra-high-net-worth families in intergenerational wealth transfer. Bank of America’s research shows that 61% of ultra-high-net-worth respondents worry about their children’s motivation, and 36% choose not to disclose the full amount of family wealth to their children. This practice is not a universal strategy, but one specific measure taken by some families in response to concerns about motivation, alongside supporting business projects and adding trust provisions.
The study also shows that only 36% of respondents believe their heirs are fully prepared to receive the inheritance. The biggest challenge in wealth planning is described as leaving an inheritance while still maintaining children’s willingness to work and be productive. The data comes from a group with more than $25 million in investable assets, reflecting self-reported information from households at this asset level rather than the general situation of all ultra-high-net-worth people.
Wealth adviser Matthew Saul’s comment points out that when families think their children are not ready, it is often because they have not been given enough opportunities to learn. This view shifts the issue from the children’s personal traits to the family’s preparation arrangements during the transfer process. Compared with the practice of not disclosing the full amount, the adviser emphasizes the impact of dialogue and actual participation on the younger generation’s readiness.
Compared with other wealth-transfer studies, this data explicitly treats “not disclosing the full amount” as a quantifiable action, accounting for 36%. It, together with supporting business projects (51%) and trust clauses (41%), forms a toolkit for addressing concerns about motivation rather than a single concealment strategy.
ABAB News · Cognitive Law
Not disclosing the full amount of wealth is a specific measure taken by some ultra-high-net-worth families in response to concerns about their children’s motivation, accounting for 36%.
Only 36% of ultra-high-net-worth respondents believe their heirs are fully prepared, indicating that preparedness does not directly correspond to asset scale.