Assessor-Recorder Joaquín Torres celebrates successful 2025 Family Wealth Conference

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Hundreds gathered over the weekend for the 2025 Family Wealth Conference, the City’s largest free event focused on property tax education and financial empowerment. Hosted by Assessor-Recorder Joaquín Torres, the conference connected residents with expert presentations, one-on-one counseling and resources to help families protect their homes and plan for the future.

The annual conference, a signature program of the Assessor-Recorder’s Office, provides residents with direct access to trusted information on property assessment, estate planning, tax savings and related financial topics. This year’s event drew record participation with 300 attendees and 16 partner organizations. Additionally, given the sharp rise in property assessment appeals and a 40% increase in customer inquiries over the last two years, the conference also served to clarify state property tax laws that can be complex, deadline-driven and confusing for homeowners.

“When I talk with residents across the city, at community events and at our presentations, they tell me how challenging it can be to access affordable and reliable resources that support their financial literacy and wellbeing,” said Assessor-Recorder Torres. “The Family Wealth Conference opens the door to those resources and provides San Franciscans with practical tools, personal guidance and opportunities to connect directly with our office and community partners. Seeing 300 residents join us this weekend makes clear that we’re offering the kind of services people are looking for.”

Presentations and Services Provided

This year’s programming reflected the issues top of mind for San Franciscans:

• Property Tax Essentials, including Propositions 13 & 19, assessment appeals, temporary declines in value and more;
• Estate Planning fundamentals like living trusts, wills, healthcare directives and powers of attorney; and
• Navigating the Homeowners Insurance Crisis to discuss the factors driving non-renewals and how to improve insurability.

Attendees also participated in one-on-one consultations for personalized guidance with Assessor-Recorder staff in multiple languages, most frequently seeking guidance on Proposition 19’s new rules for intergenerational transfers, what type of information they’ll need to prepare for an assessment appeal and what events trigger a potential reassessment. Budgeting support was offered by the Treasurer and Tax Collectors Office in partnership with the San Francisco SF LGBT Community Center, while the resource fair featured government agencies and nonprofit partners including the San Francisco Planning Department, the Department of the Environment, Rent Board, Self-Help for the Elderly and the SF Bar Association’s Tax Legal Clinic, all offering services from housing support to financial counseling and consumer protection.

“Our administration is bringing together city department heads to break down silos and improve communication across departments to better serve San Franciscans,” said Mayor Daniel Lurie. “The Family Wealth Conference offered an opportunity for San Francisco's families to learn, ask questions and understand how to navigate city financial services. Thank you to Assessor-Recorder Joaquín Torres for hosting the event.”

“I deeply appreciate the leadership of Assessor-Recorder Joaquín Torres in organizing the Family Wealth Conference and the ongoing partnership between our offices,” said Treasurer José Cisneros. “Together, we are advancing economic justice by ensuring that all San Franciscans have equitable access to the tools, guidance and opportunities that can help them build and protect their family’s financial future.”

"Today's complex financial systems can be difficult to navigate, leaving so many San Franciscans behind. The most vulnerable among us deserve equitable access to financial education and opportunities that empower our communities to build bright futures. Through the Assessor-Recorder's Family Wealth Conference and San Francisco's equity-driven, culturally competent free Financial Counseling Program under the Treasurer's Office, we are uplifting generations of our neighbors—sharing knowledge, opportunity and hope throughout all chapters of life not only this last weekend but year-round," said Travis, Director of Financial Services at the SF LGBT Community Center.

“This conference was well put together and chock full of relevant information with dynamic, expert speakers. This has helped motivate me to take steps for the future. I’m so glad I attended and thank you to the Assessor’s Office and all the support staff,” said Barb, a San Francisco resident and Family Wealth Conference attendee.

Looking Ahead

The Family Wealth Conference is part of the Assessor-Recorder’s year-round commitment to financial empowerment. Workshops and events are offered throughout the year to connect residents with estate planning services, explain property assessment including Proposition 13, Proposition 19, assessment appeals, business personal property and more in addition to providing tools to support financial stability.

For content related to this year’s event, please visit Family Wealth Series | SF.gov.

For more information or to sign up for future events, please visit SF.gov/ASR.