phjackpot A Trust Would Give Me Big Bucks if I Had Children. I’m Concerned.

In a recent visit, my parents, both in their 70s, outlined their intentions for their considerable assets, which include a trust worth millions of dollars. They propose that my brother and I (both in our 30s) serve as trustees. We would receive an unconditional portion of the trustphjackpot, with access to a majority share with conditions.

My parents intend the trust to benefit ‘‘future generations,’’ in short, potential grandchildren. If there are no grandchildren (there are none currently; we’ve never discussed this topic), the trust is to be allocated for charitable purposes, particularly to support disadvantaged regional children, with my brother and me overseeing the disbursements.

This proposal has raised several ethical concerns for me. (I should note that my brother and I do not want for material things; we are both thriving in our own ways.) First, my parents’ wishes heavily favor individuals who may never come into existence. Are my parents right to value the interests of hypothetical future descendants against those of existing family members?

Second, I worry about the potential for moral hazard. My brother and I, along with our partners, now have a financial incentive to bring a child into the world for our own monetary gain. But we also have cause to wonder whether we would better serve society by not having children and ensuring that this money goes to charitable works.

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Finally, I am grappling with the idea of serving as a trustee for a trust that espouses values not entirely aligned with my own. I believe that a person’s worth is defined not by the ‘‘bloodline’’ left behind but by how he impacts the people around him. I understand my parents’ desire to leave a legacy of support for future generations or to give to our community, but I find myself conflicted about this proposed responsibility for executing a plan that may not reflect my personal values or priorities.

While I understand that I should continue the dialogue with my parents, how do I manage these ethical issues? And are there other risks I have missed? — Name Withheld

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