August 10, 2026 / Press
Rob Strauss Speaks to the New York Post About Wealthy Parents, Adult Children, and Inheritance Expectations
Rob Strauss was recently quoted in a New York Post article, titled “Meet the wealthy parents who say ‘struggle is good,’” which discusses why some affluent parents, during their lifetimes, are choosing to limit financial support for their adult children.
The article explores a central tension in multigenerational wealth planning. While parents may want to provide their children with opportunity and security, many worry that substantial lifetime gifts can discourage independence, ambition, and/or financial responsibility. For many adult children in affluent families, the question isn’t whether they’ll inherit, but why parents who have the means to make a meaningful difference choose to delay passing down the wealth before they die.
Many wealth management experts told NY Post that the conflict between generosity and stinginess is rarely black and white. Many parents encounter difficulty with how to properly help their children without hampering their ambition or jeopardizing their own retirement.
Rob provides his perspective, noting that the idea of wealthy parents broadly disinheriting their children doesn’t reflect what he typically sees in practice. What he mostly witnesses is a discussion about timing.
“I would have a hard time finding a client who didn’t leave all of their assets to their kids,” Strauss told the New York Post, when referring to most families with less than $10 million in assets.
The issues, then, emanate from when, how, and under what circumstances that wealth will be transferred. Thoughtful estate planning can help families balance a parent’s goals for stewardship, independence, and long-term financial security while accounting for each family’s distinct values and dynamics.