Testimonies from families that have been through The Heritage Process
Dear Jeff and DeAnn:
We are very grateful that our attorney, introduced us to you two! There is no way we could have accomplished so much for our family on our own. About ten years ago, we tried to do something similar to The Heritage Process by ourselves, but without a “map” to follow, it fizzled out.
We knew that the financial blessings God has given us could inadvertently hurt our children as well as future generations of our family. Too often we’ve seen families torn apart by wealth and material possessions. We wanted to ensure that didn’t happen to ours.
And now, with your help, we’re confident that our values and positive family heritage will live on, not only in our children and grandchildren, but in future generations as well. Words alone can’t express the gratitude we feel for all your help! The value we have received is many times greater than your fee, and that’s rare in the world we live in today.
Just as you predicted, the Guided Discovery process helped us recognize positive threads in our lives we weren’t aware of before. And using that information to craft our own Vision Statement and Family Video has not only helped us realize what matters most to us but has given us a vital tool to positively influence future generations.
The Family Retreat tied everything together nicely and has been a blessing for all of us. Thank you for exceeding our expectations! We’ll tell other families like ours about you and are confident they will benefit as much as we have.
Very truly yours,
Dear Peter,
As you know, I have outlived three husbands and have no children. I am 85. My lawyer suggested I leave my house and the rest of my estate to my three sisters. She said that would be "easiest." After going through The Heritage Process with you I have a totally different outlook.
My sisters share neither my political views (somewhat liberal) nor my environmental views (quite liberal). In fact, I'm not close to these women-we don't even send each other Christmas cards. Why should they get my estate? (Estimated at over $3 million).
No, with your help, Peter, I have a better idea. I am going to set up a trust and put my home in it. When I die and the house is sold the proceeds will go to a pair of environmental non-profits; I founded one and have sat on the board of the other for 22 years. My estate will avoid estate taxes and if I can arrange to live in my house until I die (and still sell it) my income taxes will be practically nonexistent for the rest of my life.
Most importantly, though, instead of leaving my estate to people who would apply the proceeds 100% against the values I hold dear, now I know the work I've done will continue for a long, long time. That makes me feel very good. I will have left a mark. I wonder why my lawyer didn't think of that?
I am very grateful for your help, Peter. Thank you so much.
All my warmest regards,
Audrey
Dear Pam:
Words barely express the wonderful shift you have helped bring about in our family. We are especially moved by the new direction we have taken with regard to the value of our history, our individual differences and the blessings of wealth, health and family.
I urge you to use us as an example of what The Heritage Institute can do to bring a family into coordinated effort, common goals and recognition of what makes a family become a harmonious unit.
Our Puerto Vallarta family council meeting has left all of us with interesting and useful plans. Thanks for guiding us through this first meeting, and thanks for letting us know you will continue to stand by us as we find our way into a richer life.
Your work has wrought a wonderful change in our family. The possibilities are exciting.
From the families of my three daughters, and from Lee and me, thank you.
Yours sincerely,
Dear Mr. Rod Zeeb,
Before we started this process, I didn’t think it would be appropriate for our family because we had already done our planning. We had a family LLC, a family foundation, and held family meetings each year. But, I was wrong. This process brought our family together and brought our estate and business planning documents to life. We have also increased our commitment to philanthropy, and now have our entire family (including our grandchildren) involved in our family philanthropy.
I strongly encourage every family to complete The Heritage Process. If you are like me, this Process is different from anything you have done before—no matter how much planning you have done in the past—and will do more to bring your family together and to pass on the values that are unique to your family than your previous planning.
Advisors that have attended THI courses
“Prior to attending this course, I was feeling comfortable with the direction of my financial planning practice. My clients were 1-5M net worth and looking at retirement. A friend of mine suggested I attend the counseling the affluent class. Not knowing what to expect, I attended. I can honestly say that was a defining moment in my career. 18 months later I am now consistently engaged with families in the high 8 to 9 figure net worth, helping their entire family in very deep and meaningful ways and receiving significant compensation for the services I perform. The Heritage Institute has created a process that has allowed my practice to reach peak performance. Game Over.”
Richard Brownstein
“I attended The Heritage Institute’s Counseling the Affluent course several years ago. What I learned at that course, and my affiliation with The Heritage Institute has transformed my practice and my relationships with my clients. I have been in the business for over 30 years, and I have never had the kind of client relationships that I now have with the clients I have taken through The Heritage Process. If you never do [the Heritage Process] interview but just use the questions in casual conversation you will open an indeterminable amount of business… The THI process is a tremendously valuable tool that has global applications.”
Tom Fowler, CWC,Washington
” Tom Fowler, President Fowler Financial
You know, if you have ever had your heart broken by watching a family or a person be destroyed because of the money, there is hope. With THI, you can learn a process that will help others find a way to create truly purposeful lives. Through my training and relationships at THI, I am a far better advisor and a far better person. Not only have I studied and attended classes repeatedly so I could internalize The Heritage Process, but I have availed myself of mentoring within the THI system.
My practice has grown greatly; in 2005, my first year with THI, my gross commissions were up 94% over the previous year. This is not the numbers of new clients! My new monies came from existing clients when I did client reviews—by showing up as a better listener who asked better questions and cared more about them—I got more assets from old clients.
The Heritage Process is a practical, hands-on method that can enable any willing person to create a better functioning, loving family that can carry on the family traditions and legacy from one generation to the next. I would tell anyone just learning about THI that this is work that will help make you happier with yourself, your family, and your business, than you have ever been before.
Rebecca Powers CWC
I have had the opportunity and privilege to be associated with The Heritage Institute for over three years. Their “values first fortune second” approach to wealth transfer is what first attracted me to the Institute. I have attended the Counseling the Affluent course three times, once as a student, once auditing, and the most recent time as a course mentor. Every time I attended I got more out of the course than the time before.
Subsequently, I have been through their Advanced Practice Academy’s which are hands on courses that teach you how to implement the various principles of Counseling the Affluent in your practice. Through their recommended reading list I have been exposed to some of the best planning books and relationship books I’ve ever read.
My client relationships have been enhanced and my productivity increased as a result of my experience with the Heritage Institute.
I have more clarity in my family relationships and a much better idea of what is important about life to me!
David W. Mason, CFP, CDFA, CWC
“Put ‘Art’ back into the Planned Giving Process. It reinforced with me in the People no Product Profession.”
Ed John, National Planned Giving Director, United Way of America
“Every so often you experience a learning opportunity that fills you up or reignites embers in your work. The
time spent with The Heritage Institute founders, staff and mentors was all of that. Quite simply it’s an excellent
curriculum presented by the best in the business! A unique design that fits like a glove - whether you’re a CPA,
attorney, financial planner, major gifts officer or wealth consultant. I challenge you to take the experience.”
Ruby Smith Love, Gates Endowment – United Way of King County
“A very well structured process that truly connects to clients in the right way and can liberate both the client and
advisor at the same time to go to unconceivable places with safety, balance, and recognizing the balance of
emotions and rationality”.
Hugh Massie, President Financial DNA Resources
"I found your workshop to be cutting edge and highly inspiring. Your instruction, coaching, and guided
discovery process enables professionals to understand families at deeper levels and to facilitate their self-discovery
in profound ways."
James Gottfurcht, Ph. D., President, Psychology of Money Consultants
“I found it much more impacting than I expected. I see such an opportunity to establish a process to help people in
passing on their legacy to future generations.”
Kirk Jewell, President and CEO, Oklahoma State University Foundation
I’ve reconnected with an area of interest from an earlier time in my life-the process presented gives me a frame work
to bring my life’s experience together to help people in an important way-congruently.
Fred Sohl, financial advisor, Crowell Weedon
“I think this is an excellent concept (The Heritage Process) and an excellent course. The leaders are committed,
the materials and class exercises are relevant and effective for adults. I learned a great deal. Thanks.”
Dr. Cathlene Williams, PhD, CAE, Senior Director, Education and Research, Assoc. of Fundraising Professionals.
"I have been in the financial planning business for 15 years and have talked about passing on family legacies
for most of those years. I have looked for years for a process that would assist me in truly passing on a
families most important asset-their good name and reputation. After talking the talk for many years about
assisting families with passing on their legacies I now see a process in which our firm can walk the walk and
help clients truly deliver non monetary inheritances through generations.”
Brett Belliston, CFP, ChFc, AEP
“This course and the entire Heritage Institute Process is outstanding! I intend to pursue the certification as a wealth consultant and look forward to learning much more. My hat’s off to all who developed this system.”
Stan Kimball, CFP, CPA
“I appreciate the level of information that was shared. I have been completely humbled by the experience of attending CTA.”
Cameron Thornton CFP
“A very challenging and rewarding experience! The Heritage Process brings out hidden values written on the heart of everyone and helps each person own them.”
Chris McDaniel, Dir. Of Development, Delta Ministries.
“Thank you for what is for me an approach that some of us started developing 20 years ago in primitive and intuitive ways but for various reasons could not keep developing. You are helping me fulfill an old dream!”
Ron Reed
“It is truly a pleasure to see and bear witness to a group of people with a great appreciation for value. I gained a great deal of insight on not only how to enhance my practice but also on how to improve my personal family life.”
Todd Rhine
“This course operates on so many different levels. I was amazed. My overall impression is one of warmth, caring, and family first.”
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