Susan Hartley-Moss, CTFA, TEP

My best day would be finding a resolution to a myriad of client issues that could range from selling a piece of art, to facilitating dialogue between family members on a contentious estate planning issue, to developing a legal strategy for modernizing an antiquated trust structure, to inviting the youngest member of my client’s family to the office for their first family foundation meeting.

I work with children and adults with learning disabilities and various learning styles. I am also an artist and musician. I have found that having these talents makes me better equipped for the range of clients and issues that may arise in navigating successful family communications.

That I have a high EQ. I’m not only someone with credentials and experience, but have a specialized skill set in family dynamics and conflict resolution. Empathy, judgment, and integrity cannot be taught. This becomes invaluable as client relationships develop.

My father, Richard Hartley, who was a Trust & Estate attorney and CPA. When people ask me how long I’ve been doing this work, they are often shocked at my answer, which is “I was apprenticed as a young child by my father in this field. I’ve been going to client meetings since I was 6 years old.” My father was a true consigliere. The example he set for me and the exposure I had has made me the professional that I am today.

Trust and Estate planning, management, and administration are critically important today because of the intergenerational wealth transfer [“the Great Wealth Transfer”] estimated in the next 20 years of $30 to $68 million. The Great Wealth Transfer is far more complex than today’s dominant storyline reads. It’s important to find someone experienced in balancing wealth transfer strategies that save enormous taxes, with workable structures and family dynamics together with a choice of trustees.