Family Learning

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Incompatible Stories
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The most intractable conflicts that arise in business-owning families occur when parties support their opposing positions by reference to histories that contradict each other in essential points. Here is a method of using the shared core of opposing stories to maintain reasonable discussion of primary, must-solve issues while not allowing the myriad secondary issues to block agreement on central ones.

Tips to Facilitating Successful Family Meetings
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From planning an agenda and obtaining family buy-in to selecting the right venue and leading an event, this short article is replete with practical ideas for organizing family meetings and making them both fun and productive for participants.

What We Have Learned from Families of Fortune
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Without question, Jay Hughes has changed the thinking of most families and wealth advisors regarding how family assets are defined. Over the past 20 years, Jay and Sara Hamilton have discussed the many critical challenges that families face and the transitions that occur as they cross the generational bridges. In this 2009 FOX Fall Forum presentation, Jay and Sara have share for the first time their insights from these client experiences, and the important concepts that Jay has developed are brought to life as they reflect on the lessons learned from the exceptional families they have served.

Engaged Owners
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In a discussion at the 2009 Fall Forum, Kelin Gersick, Ph.D., comments on the benefits of teaching succeeding generations to be engaged owners and not just stewards of the family legacy.

Four Ways Families Can Enhance Human Capital
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In this 2009 FOX Fall Forum presentation, Ellen Perry outlines four ways in which families of significant wealth can enhance their human capital, developing the skills and talents of the younger generation, strengthening family ties and enabling individual members and families as a whole to flourish for multiple generations.

New Implications for Financial Decision-Making Families
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A tough economy can bring out the worst or the best in families who face difficult discussions and decisions about reducing philanthropic efforts, selling or changing a family business, or coping with a family member's problems. This article from RayLign Advisory contends that solid financial information and a no-nonsense approach to emotional subtexts can mitigate harm to family relationships.

A Look Inside Philanthropic Giving
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Bank of America's 2008 study of philanthropy offers a closer look at giving, including reasons why ultra-wealthy families give to charity and how much they give, why families stop giving, how they transmit charitable values to their children and the types of philanthropic advice they seek from advisors.

Post-Nuptial Agreements Elevated to New Status
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A new paper from Withers examines a privy council decision upholding, in large part, a post-nuptial agreement made by a wealthy couple. Given the landmark decision in MacLeod v MacLeod, the authors say, some couples may want to clarify the financial arrangements between them by entering into a post-nuptial agreement.

Stopping Family Disputes Before They Reach the Courts
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Too often, family disputes over power and money are settled publicly in the courts, creating rifts among family members that may linger for decades. This article from Withers Bergman emphasizes the importance of transparency among family members and recommends non-legal solutions, such as the formation of a family council, regular family meetings, dissemination of information among family members and education programs for the young.

Men & Wealth
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GenSpring reports that despite increased market volatility and instability on global markets, threats of inflation and recession, the age of affluence is upon us. It further argues that men play a central role in decision-making of most affluent families. Understanding their attitudes, views and practices may therefore help us to understand their future intentions with regard to their wealth.