With $59 Trillion in Wealth Transferring from Baby Boomers, What Could Possibly Go Wrong?
Jan 19, 2018
Doug Wilson
With $59 Trillion in Wealth Transferring from Baby Boomers, What Could Possibly Go Wrong?

From a window seat at The University Club (home of San Diego’s Downtown Breakfast Rotary), Doug Wilson can see much of his life’s work. This 35-story view is a signature feature of the mixed-use masterpiece he created in the 1980s – a full city block known as Symphony Towers.

Turning south toward Petco Park, the downtown skyline showcases two other Doug Wilson icons -- The Mark and Park Loft. Both projects are considered landmarks and credited with being catalysts to the success of Petco and the surrounding neighborhoods.

When the economy took its turn and plunged the economy into a near-depression, Doug Wilson pivoted to its other long-tested business model of handling workouts nationwide. The company emerged to become one of the country’s most prominent fiduciaries, trusted by private investors, banks, and government to reposition or sell over $15 billion in troubled assets.

Fast forward to 2017, where the team at Douglas Wilson Companies has refocused yet again on other new initiatives.

“We’re gearing up for what we see as an imminent, unprecedented transition of wealth from the baby boomer generation to its adult children,” said Wilson. “Inevitably, and unfortunately, such a major shift of accumulated wealth will create a variety of disputes concerning ownership, control, management and disposition of assets.”

In fact, Baby Boomers are expected to transfer up to $59 trillion to adult children through 2061.

“We call it the “wealth acquiring generation,” and as they begin to transfer trillions to adult children, we can tap our experience as a fiduciary to help families avoid inter-generational disputes and preserve and enhance the value of these assets.”

To strengthen his in-house conflict resolution team, Wilson recently recruited high-profile business attorney John L. Morrell, the immediate past president of San Diego Rotary Club 33. Morrell moved to Douglas Wilson Companies from local powerhouse Higgs Fletcher & Mack, where he retains the title of Chairman Emeritus.

Douglas Wilson Companies is also currently engaged in infill residential development, senior housing, as well as a thriving practice in real estate advisory services for large private, public and non-profit institutions. For more information, visit: www.douglaswilson.com