Month: December 2025
Celebrity Estates: Philanthropy, Legacy and Family Wealth with Philip Richter

Celebrity Estates: Philanthropy, Legacy and Family Wealth with Philip Richter

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Legacy is often shaped less by what is given and more by how values are shared across generations.

In this episode of Celebrity Estates, wealth manager Philip Richter joins the show to explore philanthropy as a core part of estate planning and family decision-making. The conversation examines The Giving Pledge and how charitable intent, when left informal or unspoken, can lead to confusion, missed opportunities and misalignment among heirs.

Philip explains why separating legacy from inheritance helps families focus on purpose rather than dollar amounts. He also shares how donor-advised funds, private foundations and charitable trusts can bring structure to giving while encouraging communication and shared responsibility.

Join Senior Editor David Lenok and Philip Richter, president and partner at Hollow Brook Wealth Management, as they break down the estate planning lessons behind philanthropy, generational education and building a legacy that extends beyond assets.

Philip discusses:

  • How philanthropy can strengthen family communication while aligning values across generations through shared giving plans
  • Why separating legacy from inheritance helps families focus on purpose, not just asset transfer
  • Common structures for charitable giving, including donor-advised funds, private foundations, and charitable trusts
  • The role advisors play in moderating sensitive family discussions around wealth, values, and responsibility
  • Why early education and transparency prepare heirs to steward both capital and charitable intentions

Resources:

Connect With David Lenok:

Connect With Philip Richter:

About Our Guest:

Philip Richter is the President and Partner of Hollow Brook Wealth Management where he oversees firm-wide client relations, marketing and business development, and sits on the investment committee. Philip is involved with asset allocation, manager selection, and equity research. Philip previously served on the board of directors of WidePoint Corporation (NYSE: WYY). Currently, Philip sits on the board of the United States Equestrian Team Foundation, the United States Equestrian Federation, Revs Institute, and the Pray Family Foundation. Philip is the Chairman of the Lake Placid Horse Show, and the Treasurer of the Hampton Classic Horse Show. Philip received a BA from Boston College and an MBA from the Stern School of Business at New York University. Philip is a vintage car enthusiast who maintains a collection of modern classics and pre-war motorcycles. He participates in international car shows, hosts the Turtle Invitational (a biennial car show in Bedford, NY), and is a regular contributor to many equine and collector car publications. Philip also competes in equestrian show jumping in the high amateur-owner division.
Celebrity Estates: When Inheritance Hurts More Than It Helps with Don D. Ford III

Celebrity Estates: When Inheritance Hurts More Than It Helps with Don D. Ford III

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Money passed down with good intentions can still create conflict, confusion and long-lasting family tension.

In this episode of Celebrity Estates, estate planning attorney Don D. Ford III joins the show to examine why more high-net-worth families are choosing to limit inheritances, not out of neglect, but out of concern for the long-term health of their family relationships. The discussion centers on how silence, assumptions and sudden wealth transfers can trigger conflict.

Don shares how unequal planning, lack of preparation and delayed conversations frequently lead to disputes between siblings. He also shares real examples showing how family meetings, philanthropy and thoughtful trust structures can reduce confusion and set clearer expectations.

Join Senior Editor David Lenok and Don Ford, managing partner at Ford + Bergner, as they unpack the estate planning lessons behind inheritance decisions that are meant to protect families, not divide them.

Key takeaways:

  • Why sudden wealth transfers often strain sibling relationships, and how early conversations can reduce resentment
  • How family meetings help define shared values, expectations and long-term intentions around money
  • The difference between equal treatment and fair treatment among children with different abilities
  • Ways philanthropy can unite heirs and create shared purpose beyond personal inheritance
  • Why silence around estate plans often leads to confusion, conflict and costly disputes

Resources:

Connect With David Lenok:

Connect With Don Ford:

About Our Guest:

Don D. Ford is the managing partner of Ford + Bergner, an estate planning and probate law firm with offices in Houston, Dallas, and Austin. His practice focuses on guiding families through complex estate planning, probate administration, and guardianship matters, particularly for high-net-worth households. Board-certified in estate planning and probate law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, Don is also trained in mediation and has served on the state guardianship certification board, where he helped shape policy and oversight for professional guardians.