Episode Summary |

In this episode, Emily Bouchard and Kim Kamin explore the evolving concept of family, modern estate planning challenges, and the importance of trust and coherence in wealth management. Kim shares insights from her extensive experience in estate planning for diverse family structures, including blended, same-sex, and polyamorous families, emphasizing purpose-driven legacy design.

Chapters |

00:00 Introduction to Modern Families and Synchronicities

03:38 The Importance of Family in Estate Planning

06:03 Defining Family: Legal and Emotional Perspectives

08:59 Fair vs. Equal: Navigating Complex Family Dynamics

11:38 The Role of Estate Planning in Family Relationships

14:06 Communication and Transparency in Estate Planning

16:55 Estrangement and Disinheritance: A Growing Concern

19:21 The Impact of Trust on Family Dynamics

24:59 Understanding Family Dynamics and Reactions

25:38 Exploring Modern Family Structures

26:17 The Origin of the Modern Family Book

30:34 Diving into Polyamory and Its Implications

37:42 Defining Wealth Coherence and Its Importance

Guest Bio |

Kim Kamin is a partner and the Chief Wealth Strategist at Gresham Partners LLC, an independent multi-family office currently managing over $13 billion for almost 130 ultra-high net worth families nationally. Kim leads Gresham’s development and implementation of services relating to (i) estate planning, (ii) trust and estate administration, (iii) philanthropic planning, and (iv) family learning and RisingGen engagement activities. Previously she was a partner in the Private Clients group at a large national law firm known for the quality of its Trusts & Estates practice. 

Kim is also a longtime adjunct professor at Northwestern University Law School and on faculty for the University of Chicago Booth School of Business Executive Education. She is a Past Regent for the American College of Trusts & Estates Counsel (“ACTEC”), Past President of the Chicago Estate Planning Council, and the Estate Planning Domain Chair for the UHNW Institute. Additionally, Kim serves on advisory boards for multiple local charities.

Kim serves on the Editorial Advisory Board of Trusts & Estates Magazine, has published on a wide variety of topics, and is also a frequent lecturer in a variety of venues across the country. She is the co-executive editor and co-author for the past three editions of the Leimberg Library Tools & Techniques book, Estate Planning for Modern Families. Kim received her B.A. from Stanford University, with distinction and departmental honors in Psychology, and her J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School. She is a 21/64 Certified Advisor and an AEP® (Distinguished), meaning that she was inducted into the NAEPC Estate Planning Hall of Fame®.

Guest Resources |

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimkamin/ 

https://www.wealthmanagement.com/author/kim-kamin

Estate Planning for Modern Families Treatise – https://www.nationalunderwriter.com/the-tools-techniques-of-estate-planning-for-modern-families-4t-edition.html?srsltid=AfmBOoovWksW2c8CaDvKq4DO9vLABHfJtbB7T_CogOpGYHBayAEUuNs0 

Gifting Decisions and Planning with Flexibility Under OB3 – https://www.uhnwinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Gifting-with-Flexibility-After-OB3-FINAL-2-1.pdf

Emily’s Resources |

https://emilybouchard.com/

https://blendedfamiliesflourishing.com/

Heart*Brain*Horse*Coherence Retreats: https://emilybouchard.com/retreat/