It hit me like a ton of bricks. We recently opened up a 529 college savings account for a new baby girl. I realized we are now providing financial planning services for the 5th generation of the “Williams” family.
It started over 20 years ago when I was able to assist “Jimmy and Nancy” who had been longstanding and loyal clients of the firm.
Our families have been connected through our preceding generation for decades through our various community activities. Jimmy has been someone I’ve always looked up to. A sort of mentor in many ways. You know the type. He’s your dad’s age, and you think to yourself, if you can just be a little more like this guy, you may just turn out ok.
Shortly thereafter, he asked me to help his mother-in-law. She had lived and lived and lived and, after some years, went home for good.
Jimmy and Nancy raised two great kids in their own image.
They are my contemporaries and have built thriving and successful careers and families. They are tracking well for a successful retirement. We’ve done multigenerational wealth transfer planning between the generations to make sure that the fruit of their labor will transfer easily, tax efficiently, and satisfy their charitable endeavors now and later.
My young partner, Zach Wesche, who you know is my son-in-law, is now the primary advisor for the twenty-somethings in the Williams family. They are living out the moral and ethical code set up for them by previous generations. They are excelling in all ways, including in their careers. As such, they already need guidance to be the best stewards of their hard work. Babies are beginning to arrive, which means it’s now time to begin planning for their future, hence the 529 savings account for the 5th generation.
As astounding as this tale may seem, it is not rare at all at Allen & Company.
As Florida’s oldest investment firm started in 1932 with $5 billion dollars entrusted to our care, this is a common story told at all three of our locations. How could it be? Every day just do the right thing for the client—every day, for 93 years of history. Word will eventually leek out. These people care, can be trusted, and have your best interest in mind.
Having Zach now as a trusted partner has allowed us to assist multiple generations more formally and efficiently. Can we help another generation of your family? Let us know. We are passionate about financial planning. And we are eager to share that passion with those you know.
April 2025
