For the younger generation, a large share of parents (61%) said children should be brought in the loop about finances at age 20 or older. That leaves many younger children in the dark about family finances. Teaching them about family financial strategies before they are old enough to be allowed to help make decisions, the survey says, will make them more comfortable when the time comes.

SEI advises families to promote financial literacy and to adopt a boardroom style of management for family financial discussions. Younger children can attend meetings as associate members. In this way, they can see how decisions are made by the rest of the group.

Wealth advisors are still relied upon and can help clients foster better communication within their families.

Keep reading for seven issues wealth advisors should know about how wealthy families talk about money:

1. What holds them back?

What keeps respondents from meeting financial goals on schedule? Family friction was a big factor. But No. 2 on the list looks like an opportunity for wealth advisors.

The top answers were:

45% – Dispute over strategy with close family

36% – Lack of specific information on the financial products strategy

35% – Lack of time due to work or other family commitments

35% – Lack of interest in closely following financial goals

32% – Lack of confidence in own investment skills

2. When to tell the kids? 

Teaching about finances early is important to many wealthy families, with nearly 40% of respondents saying children should be involved in making decisions about strategic financial goals. But they are split on when, exactly, the children should become part of the process.

Below are percentage of respondents and the ages they said family members should help make decisions:

9% – ages 10-14

30% – ages 15-19

28% – ages 20-24

33% – 25 and older

3.  All in the family?

There's a big split on whether family members should be allowed to be involved in making financial decisions. Women tend to rely on family more than men and millennials more than older respondents.

Here are the answers to the question: "Do you agree with involving family members in the decision-making process?" (agree and disagree includes those who mostly or somewhat felt that way.)

39% – agree

32% – disagree

29% – neutral

4.  Whom they trust

Just whom someone would rely on for financial advice depends on who they are.

Here's a breakdown:

Millennials:

40% – family

38% – wealth advisors

Percentage of women vs. men who trust family:

Men – 15%

Women – 29%

Respondents over 60 put trust in:

Wealth advisors – 53%

Family – 11%

5.  It's lonely at the top

Those in the ultra-high net-worth category (more than $10 million) were more likely to feel alone when making financial decisions.

Here's the breakdown:

40% of all UNHW respondents feel isolated

38% of UNHW women

35% of UNHW business owners

6.  What they want

Over the next five years, financial goals included being ready for retirement, buying a home and paying tuition.

Here are the top answers:

39% – Have enough for comfortable retirement

28% – Start business or have enough to support current one                                    

27% – Better lifestyle

27% – Having enough to stop working or be independent from work income

27% – Upgrade home or buy new one

24% – Raise sufficient funds for charitable interests

23% – Double net worth

22% – Pay for children's or grandchildren's education

7. What they're afraid of

What's bugging the wealthy? Outliving their money is a common fear these days, with life spans and medical costs for the elderly both increasing.

Here are the top fears:

60% – Outliving money

21% – Won't be able to pass on wealth

21% – Not making right impact via philanthropy