Family Purpose Level I: Score 1-3

You’ve never even thought about what your family stands for.  You are living for today and think that creating core values or a mission statement is a waste of time.  You are not clear on your purpose and don’t want to invest the energy it would require.  After you are gone, it won’t really matter, so you choose to do nothing.    

Family Purpose Level II: Score 4-6

You know what you stand for, but that doesn’t resonate across your family.  Each person in the family sees their lives independent of the bigger unit.  If you tried to create core values or a family mission there would be so many different answers, you would have trouble getting everyone to agree.   

Family Purpose Level III: Score 7-9

As a family, you all have a general sense of your purpose. There are themes you talk about on a regular basis, but nothing is documented. If you were to ask each member of the family about your values, you would find answers that were in the same categories, but you would not get a consensus.

Family Purpose Level IV: Score 10-12

You are very clear on the purpose of your family.  You have documented your core values, mission and purpose in a way that will memorialize them for future generations.  Every member of the family knows what these are and what they mean to them personally.  There is a plan to help each new member of the family connect to these values and champion them for future generations.

Goals Level I: Score 1-3

Goals are irrelevant to you.  You do not have a plan and do not see the value in thinking about the future.  Your sense of scarcity does not allow you to think past today and the future feels very small.

Goals Level II: Score 4-6

Goals are an obstacle to you.  If you were to begin to set goals, you don’t know how you would hit them, so you feel more comfortable ignoring the exercise. 

Goals Level III: Score 7-9

Goals are a support to you.  You have a basic plan and understand generally where you are going.  You may have a few of them written down, but you’ve never formalized them. 

Goals Level IV: Score 10-12

Your goals are the foundation of everything you do.  You are clear about where you are going and know exactly how you are going to get there.  You know that if there is ever a difficult decision to make you can filter that decision through your goals and arrive at a solution and quickly.   

Tax Planning Level I: Score 1-3

You ignore your tax planning and owe back taxes. You are afraid of the government and have given up caring. You know you should care, but it's been years since you tried to do anything. You are stuck and you know it.

Tax Planning Level II: Score 4-6

You pay your taxes, but you have absolutely no tax strategy. You want to change this but keep getting distracted by other things that grab your attention. You are skeptical of the government and tax collection but there is no planning. Your current advisors spend their time looking back at what you did and add no value outside of telling you how much you OWE every year.

Tax Planning Level III: Score 7-9

You are on top of your taxes and feel comfortable you are following the tax regulations but are unsure what would happen if you were audited. You have a good team of advisors that are able to get you some write-offs and deductions you would otherwise never know about. You feel like there are strategic opportunities in the world of taxes that you are missing but have no idea how to take advantage of them.

Tax Planning Level IV: Score 10-12

You dominate the tax strategies that are available to you. You have your powerful team of advisors and would confidently enter any audit. Your team is strategically minimizing your income and capital gains taxes while eliminating all estate taxes. You know that every extra dollar you pay in taxes can never be used for your benefit in the future, so you never enter a transaction without first consulting your team.

Advisor Team Level I: Score 1-3

You like to play alone. You believe no one can do it better than you so you refuse to pay for help. All of the research you could do is available online and you don't trust anyone who gets compensated to give you advice.

Advisor Team Level II: Score 4-6

You don't know exactly who you should be working with, but you have worked with advisors to get some help.  You had an attorney draft basic legal documents a few years ago, and you don't know when you need to talk to them again.  You have a CPA who files your taxes, but otherwise you don't communicate.  You talk to your money manager once or twice a year, but you don't understand anything, and they often use industry jargon that confuses you.  A local insurance agent helped you buy several different policies, but you're not sure how they coordinate with your needs.

Advisor Team Level III: Score 7-9

You value paying for help and have all of the professionals you believe you need to coordinate your financial life. They are all experts but each one of them works independently. If you need to coordinate anything in your planning the burden falls on you to bring the right experts together. You are so busy managing your business that you are sure you are missing something but don't know where to start.

Advisor Team Level IV: Score 10-12

You know that the right team will include experts that help you financially but also engage professionals who facilitate family transformation. You have a member of the team that acts as the quarterback and brings everyone together so that you don't have to worry. Your team meets together regularly to coordinate all of your planning by prioritizing your life, minimizing taxes and optimizing giving.

Family Communication Level I: Score 1-3

Your communication with your children is nonexistent, and you can't remember the last time you had a meaningful engagement with them. At this point, you don't know how it will ever change so you've stopped trying. There are issues in the family that no one talks about and if they would arise, they would quickly be swept under the rug.

Family Communication Level II: Score 4-6

You attempt to engage with your children, but often feel inadequate or uncertain how to do this.  You would like to be a part of your children’s lives, but you don’t have any idea where to start.  There are sensitive topics in the family that exist, but when they come up, they typically lead to arguments and finger pointing. 

Family Communication Level III: Score 7-9

You love your children and they feel the same for you.  You regularly engage with your children in meaningful conversations and you have a relationship that allow them to come to you when they face hard situations.  You feel good about your family and your children’s future.  The sensitive topics in the family have been dealt with and are behind you. 

Family Communication Level IV: Score 10-12

Your children are a stewardship that has been given to you to nurture and grow.  You invest regular time in them and find strength in your role as a parent.  You have a bond with your children that is unbreakable, and they have moved from being your child to be your friend.  When there are difficult issues to discuss, your family thrives, knowing that temporary conflict leads to long term breakthrough and strengthened relationships.   

Family Meetings Level I: Score 1-3

Your family never gets together. It’s rare that you communicate with each other.  You all have your own lives and there really is no reason to connect.  Your family knows nothing about your financial situation, or your giving and you are happy about that.

Family Meetings Level II: Score 4-6

Your family gets together but it usually is driven by an event like a birthday or a holiday. Once you’ve spent time together, no one really knows when you will be together again.  All of the conversations among family members are surface level and you experience each other as acquaintances. Your family is aware of your finances and knows you give, but there are no conversations about money.

Family Meetings Level III: Score 7-9

Your family gets together regularly, but most of the time spent together centers on enjoying the current moment.  You travel together with everyone regularly.  You experience each other with joy and often share family stories.  Your family is informed of your financial situation and you talk about your generosity openly.

Family Meetings Level IV: Score 10-12

Your family gets together with intention at least once a year and blocks this time off as a priority on the calendar.  You make time to have specific conversations with intention and use those conversations to build the maturity and knowledge of each family member.  You know that relationships and memories are the greatest path to transforming the generations ahead of you. You use discussions of finances and giving to empower your family and your extended family takes an active role in making giving decisions.     

Inheritance Level I: Score 1-3

You do not plan to leave an inheritance for your children. Your plan is to spend every last penny on yourself. Life is the best teacher for your children, so you invest very little time in passing wisdom. You don’t worry about how your kids are affected by money, because they will figure it out on their own. 

Inheritance Level II: Score 4-6

All of your inheritance plans involve things that happen after you pass away. Although you know you should be sharing life’s wisdom with your family, you don’t know where to start, so you avoid the topic.  You plan to leave your entire estate, equally, to your children and don’t know how it will affect them.  However, you aren’t concerned because you won’t be here, so it really won’t matter.    

Inheritance Level III: Score 7-9

Most of your inheritance plans will happen after your death, but you see the value in paying for education and providing some help to your children when they need it. Providing the exact same financial benefit to each child is important and you keep a record to make sure it’s equal. You’ve thought about the wisdom you want to pass to your family, but you’ve either done nothing or put it into documents your family will see it after you pass away.  You’ve reflected on how your inheritance will affect your children but haven’t taken any action based on those thoughts.   

Inheritance Level IV: Score 10-12

You believe that the most valuable inheritance you can leave is during your lifetime. In addition to a financial inheritance you have found value in providing a giving inheritance in your plans. You recognize that walking alongside your children while they manage this inheritance is your opportunity to observe, coach and be intentional. You’ve used these teaching opportunities to make adjustments to your inheritance plans based on the unique needs of each child. You have captured your story for the family and also written personal letters to each of your heirs. These are shared with the family and updated regularly. You know that the inheritance you are leaving will be blessing to your family and they are fully prepared to receive it.

Giving Convictions Level I: Score 1-3

If you give at all it is random and reactionary. Your motivation for giving is driven by what’s in it for you such as recognition or saving on taxes.  When you hear others teach on giving or generosity you have a negative response. If God blessed you with what you have then he must intend for you to use it all for your pleasure. Your time is valuable and you rarely volunteer. 

Giving Convictions Level II: Score 4-6

You give regularly but your motivation for giving is driven by the conviction that God requires a tithe and you don’t want to rob God.  When you hear others talk about giving or generosity you are convicted you should be doing more, but see it as a  private matter. You wrestle with how much God wants you to spend on your lifestyle and how much you should be giving away. You volunteer only when asked and usually don’t enjoy it.  

Giving Convictions Level III: Score 7-9

You give because you have discovered joy in giving and you see it as a spiritual discipline. When it comes to talking about generosity with others you’ve shared mutual encouragement with your close friends. You have set a finish line for your lifestyle and see your excess giving as an investment in your eternal portfolio. You volunteer when you can and enjoy serving others.

Giving Convictions Level IV: Score 10-12

Your giving is an extension of your pursuit of God and you have multiple stories of God using you because of your obedience. You are often asked to teach and are comfortable talking openly about the joy of generosity with others. You organize several volunteer experiences to help others discover the satisfaction of serving others.

Giving Priorities Level I: Score 1-3

Your giving is mostly haphazard. If your going to give money to anyone, it’s going to be based on who asks.  Your giving is so disorganized that you don’t even keep track of where you’ve made donations.  You think anyone who makes a gift beyond their means is out of their mind.    

Giving Priorities Level II: Score 4-6

Your giving is mostly focused on who asks. You don’t like to play favorites, and the majority of your giving feels reactive.  You’re not even sure everywhere you’ve given and tax season is a nightmare. The thought of making a big, scary, faith-filled gift frightens and intrigues you. All of your giving was done by giving cash or check.  

Giving Priorities Level III: Score 7-9

Your giving is guided by your convictions. You have some scheduled places you give, but no real long-term plan. Once or twice your giving has led you to make a big, scary, faith-filled gifts. You read the annual reports from the ministries to understand the impact they are making. When you file your taxes, you review where you gave over the last year. You know that giving from appreciated assets can provide multiple benefits and have done that a few times.

Giving Priorities Level IV: Score 10-12

You have a clear, long-term vision for your giving and the impact it will have. All of your giving is proactive, and your clarity gives you permission to say no when a request doesn’t match your priorities.  Many times, your giving has led you to make big, scary, faith-filled gifts. You have clear communication with the non-profits to understand the impact your gifts are making on the organization as well as the ministry activity. Each year you make time to review last year’s giving while also prioritizing your giving for the coming year. You work with your financial transformation team to optimize your asset and cash giving each year.