The COVID-19 pandemic presented the entire world with unprecedented challenges. Although it may be uncomfortable to contemplate, the reality of the growing necessity of funeral planning presents family offices with a sudden and unexpected series of events that must be faced.
Governance is a word often misunderstood by families and family offices, but it is essential for a long-lasting family legacy. Strong governance establishes a process for decision-making and conformity within a multi-generational family to promote communication and strengthen unity, helping to preserve wealth and solidarity for future generations. Although high-net-worth families and individuals increasingly recognize the importance of instituting formal governance structures, doing so presents a complex task, and it can be difficult to know where to start.
As families of wealth and their Family Offices consider future success strategies, how ready are they to adapt? To help families prepare for the various stages of changes in the family journey, Dr. Jim Grubman shares the approach he uses—including the application of the Readiness Ruler—in this Q&A with FOX.
For many wealth creators, amassing wealth took a lot of work, but passing down the knowledge and tools to the next generation for successful wealth transition can be an even bigger challenge. Wealth creators may not know how to start or know the best approach. Through an infographic and video, learn the best ways to pass down the knowledge and tools to the next generation for a successful wealth transition.
Revised Feb 2020Originally Published in 2014 -- As the scope of a business-owning family’s activities expand and the family grows across generations, the organic shift from a business-centric family to a family-centric enterprise or “family enterprise” begins. The family is faced with the issue of how to preserve the family wealth and well-being beyond the first generation.
Family governance need not be an oxymoron. A conscious family governance system can help create an efficient and rewarding means of ensuring the family enterprise’s viability for generations to come. Therefore, any family enterprise that seeks to maintain and grow its wealth—financial, human, social, and intellectual—should consider creating a clear system of governance that is well-designed and flexible-but-durable.
Research tells us communication is the most essential ingredient for sustaining wealth across generations. But, cross-generational communication can be particularly challenging, especially within families of wealth. Each generation’s habits, beliefs, and ideals are influenced by very different experiences, traditions, and societal norms. So how do you bridge the divide? In a gathering of more than 80 women ranging in age from 21 to 91 at a weekend-long learning event, several insights and recommendations on solving the cross-generational communication emerged.
Explore the good, the bad, and the ugly around succession and generational transitions of power and control within families of wealth. Hear from one Gen 7 family on their recent generational succession, what prompted the transition, and how they navigated the practical and emotional challenges.Nate Imfeld, Attorney, Foley & Lardner, LLPTorri Hawley, Windway Capital, NextGen
What does it mean to be an engaged and responsible beneficiary? We will explore the roles and responsibilities of a trustee, and learn from a father-daughter team about how they make the trustee-beneficiary relationship work. We will understand the roles each party plays and how to effectively approach trust-related communications.Robert Hammett, Vice President, ChiFam LLCStephanie Hammett, ChiFam LLC, NextGenSarah Kerr Severson, Partner, Schiff Hardin, LLC