Customer Reviews

Beating the Midas Curse

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4 star:		(1)
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I have been an estate planning attorney for over 15 years. I have seen wealth ruin families, create addictions for heirs and leave future generations without means to pursue dreams. The reasons behind these afflictions are clearly described in this book. Many of my clients have come to me with plans and have left with better plans. But, unless they address the issues in this book, their plans will eventually fail. If you have children, grandchildren, friends, causes or clients you care about, read this book. It gets to the heart of planning.

Rod Zeeb and Perry Cochell have done an outstanding job of describing their Heritage Process in Beating the Midas Curse. Their training as Estate Planning attorneys taught them how to use strategies and techniques to pass on wealth to the heirs. But all their training and fancy legal documents did nothing to prepare the heirs to receive their financial inheritance. Watching wealthy families implode prompted them to begin a 20 year journey of trial and error that has culminated in The Heritage Process which is clearly and succiently covered in this fast paced book. I was shocked and amazed to learn that 90% of wealthy families fail to preserve their wealth through the third generation! Zeeb and Cochell have perfected a process that has proven to be the antidote to the "Midas Curse". Parents who are concerned about the potential negative impact of wealth on their children and future generations simply must read this book!

If you ever wanted your children, grand children, great grandchildren and beyond to understand who you are and what was important to you, than this book is for you. It is amazing to find out that with good estate planning (passing estates with a tax efficient plan), that you have a 90% failure rate by the third generation. This book gives you a step by step approach to a process that will be priceless for every family that cares about their family and their community.

Interesting book! The whole concept of addressing inheritance from a non-monetary perspective is fresh (in a book). The book's attempted development about a process may be especially good for a dysfunctional family, but it also brings focus on the good habits and traditions of the functional family, even when no money is involved. Whatever the personal relationship to the described stories, every reading "family" can benefit from a personal exploration through the questions raised.

This book is very helpful. I would not just suggest this for parents, but children who know that down the road, they will receive an inheritance or come into wealth. It gives examples of the pitfalls that can come if you are not prepared for this life changing event. It is fun to read, and well thought out. Great planing book.

Have you read everything there is to read on parenting? Have you become bored with the same old books on how to raise your children? Then it's time you read "Beating the Midas Curse". This insightful collection of stories, ideas and introduction to "The Heritage Process" will enlighten and delight those parents interested in their family's future generations. Learn how to pass your generational values with those hard-earned valuables; learn effective ways to communicate to your off-spring and learn how to leave a lasting legacy. This book will not disappoint and surely will become your guide to effectively communicating with your children.

Have you given thought to the question - What is it you really want to preserve when you do your estate planning? Beating the Midas Curse redefines the traditional view of wealth to include not only money and assets, but also the values, virtues and ethics that make life meaningful and fulfilling. Questions about the meaning and purpose of wealth needs to drive your thinking so future generations of your family will not fall victim to the 90% failure rate of inheritances. This is a must reading for the family who wants to promote family strength, unity, and community involvement.

As an avid reader of hundreds of books on wealth transfer planning, I rate this book as one of the very best. As an estate planning attorney and wealth counselor, I understand that a family must pass on its values before it passes on the value of what it owns. Beating the Midas Curse shows how to crystallize family values into a compelling vision supported with engaging family stores that heirs can share and reflect upon as they make decisions to leave the most meaningful legacy.

Being lovingly known and understood by those critically important to you during your life AND after. Leaving your indelible influence with those with whom you have shared soul-touching experiences. Immersing yourself in the thrill of genuine mutual respect with your immediate and extended families. Being forever remembered by your lineage for who you were and for what you stood. If these statements are a big part of who you are or who you want to be, then reading BEATING THE MIDAS CURSE is a must.

This book's six-step experience, called The Heritage Process, is your path to significance. However, your experience must be guided by someone trained by the authors' forward-thinking organization, The Heritage Institute. Why? Because this is a what-it-is book, not a how-to. Many months, even years, of on-going training by your leader are required for you to successfully arrive at your life-changing destination. If you identify with the person described above, your life, too, can arrive at the SIGNIFICANCE you want . . . and need.