Handing down wealth to kids is often a no-win situation.

Parents work hard to make money to leave their kids. Then they have to work to offset the impact of money on their kids' lives. Even then, the results aren't always successful.

A new study from Los Angeles-based Bel Air Investment Advisors, surveying wealthy kids and families attending a 'next generation' seminar, shows that families are well aware of the the pitfalls of inherited wealth -- yet they keep on passing it down.

The survey found that 60% of the wealthy - or soon-to-be-wealthy - kids identified with the statement that 'wealth created discomfort in the family.'

More than half agreed that 'wealth has made it hard to live up to the success of parents or previous generations.'

Even if they get the money, the money is a cause for more worry. Nearly two out of three respondents are 'very concerned' about growing their wealth.

So what's the right strategy for money and kids? It depends on the kid, of course. But I have yet to hear a good overall answer. Leaving no money to kids creates its ownresentments (even Warren Buffett of 'lucky sperm club' fame has left millions to his kids).

And leaving entire fortunes to kids can wreak havoc on their lives.

Is there a 'right' amount of money to leave to kids?

Robert Frank

• wealth [welθ] n.财富，财产 (初中英语单词)
• investment [in´vestmənt] n.投资；(时间等)投入 (初中英语单词)
• wealthy [´welθi] a.富有的；丰富的 (初中英语单词)
• survey [´sə:vei] vt.&n.俯瞰；审视；测量 (初中英语单词)
• previous [´pri:viəs] a.先，前，以前的 (初中英语单词)
• amount [ə´maunt] n.总数；数量 v.合计 (初中英语单词)
• warren [´wɔrən] n.养兔场；大杂院 (英语四级单词)
• offset [´ɔ:fset] n.&vt.抵销；补偿 (英语六级单词)
• impact [´impækt] n.影响，作用；冲击 (英语六级单词)
• discomfort [dis´kʌmfət] n.不适；不安；困难 (英语六级单词)
• strategy [´strætidʒi] n.兵法；战略 (英语六级单词)