Terry Wheeler Discusses Wealth-Planning Blind Spots

Terry Wheeler says families should treat estate planning as part of a broader wealth strategy, not simply a set of wills and trusts or a way to avoid probate and taxes. He argues that plans should coordinate investments, proactive tax planning, and family goals while accounting for values, family dynamics, and how wealth may affect future generations. Wheeler also describes defined outcome investing as a way to add a defensive element to portfolios, noting that diversification alone may not address every market risk. Estate plans, he says, should consider life changes such as divorce or remarriage and balance a surviving spouse’s access to assets with protecting children and preserving family intentions.