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A guide to minimizing the after-tax proceeds from the sale of a family business. According to the article, legal exit preparations involve a 3-step process: due diligence investigations (i.e., public searches, review of minute books and key contracts, etc.); identify any 'skeletons' and consider what options exist to remedy or neutralize them; fina...

A business-owning family can create a secure foundation for effective multi-generational ownership and control by transferring shares of a family business in trust during the controlling owner's lifetime, and through careful drafting of trust provisions, choice of governing law, selection of a capable trustee and implementation of effective family ...

Just as every business needs a succession plan if it is to survive the death or incapacity of its founder, every family should plan for the successor management of the family's finances. Failure to attend to this issue can lead to serious consequences for the surviving spouse and other family members.

A business transition plan should provide a good fit: for the business, for family members and for the owner. A transition road map also should provide clear instructions in the event of the owner's incapacitation or death – a sound reason to establish a plan sooner rather than later.

Family dynamics often play a critical role in the long-term success of family businesses, and women's relational and interpersonal skills tend to make them well-equipped to manage these issues. Effective leadership within the family business is, now more than ever, dependent on the inherent relational skills that a woman can bring to the busine...

A search for identity and independence in a personal journey separate from the family, a challenging of assumptions, a wrestling with questions. These are the 20-something years – critical, testing and thrilling, for both young adults and their parents.

Learning early on how to assist family members to understand the conceptual and practical aspects of their social connections is a central concern of the family. Using a confidentiality/non-disclosure agreement provides a structure and begins a process that sets the framework for this work.

Families that successfully manage generational planning actively foster communication and trust within the family, identify shared values that define the family, take time to establish a thoughtful family governance system and give younger members the opportunity to have an impact through active participation in family affairs.

For many entrepreneurs, the experience of selling their business may involve a loss of identity and purpose, despite the financial security that usually accompanies the sale. This paper addresses the personal challenges entrepreneurs face during the transition as well as issues created by a significant change in the nature of their wealth, from ill...

Parents who are concerned about family harmony after their deaths are wise to address the issues of estate equalization as a key element of their estate and business planning. Most of the problems that would create disharmony among their children can be handled with careful thought and with wills, trusts and business agreements that clearly dictate...

Like the ancient Greeks, modern families need family governance to meet the challenge of preserving and transferring wealth across generations. A successful plan needs to look beyond financial capital to consider family assets, such as talent, education, experience, faith and values.

Like cost-benefit analysis in the for-profit world, social return on investment provides guidelines that can help charitable organizations to think more strategically about outcomes and show accountability. But if SROI is to be a successful tool, analysis indicates its principles need to be applied with greater rigor.

This paper addresses the options families have for investment education and offers basic direction for getting a true junior investment club off the ground. Contents include: --Five questions for families considering a junior investment club --Developmental options for investment education --Alternatives to true investment clubs --What is a jun...

Becoming thoughtful and intentional about altruism and the passion to make a difference is the difference between having good intentions and being intentional about our values and commitments to others. This newsletter offers tips on how to give better, helps 'tween philanthropists ask seven critical questions about giving, and provides a visual wa...

Philanthropy appears set to increase among the wealthy, according to a survey of millionaires in 20 countries. The United States, Ireland, South Africa and India lead in donations of both money and time.