The pressures of family wealth can be one of biggest causes of family disputes, often resulting in financial mismanagement or family breakdowns. Developing sound governance strategies can help save years of heartache, thousands of dollars in legal fees and most importantly, relationships between the family members.

Far from just creating a comfortable existence, managing significant wealth, either created or inherited, can be one of the most difficult roles any person undertakes.

We have all seen battles for family fortunes play out in the media over the years, however, what is often forgotten in these circumstances is the devastating impact this has on the family, and it’s not just the super wealthy who are affected.

Many family financial disputes can be about a single property, superannuation account or a historical event within the family. So when it comes to managing the family capital, it pays to implement disciplined, reliable yet flexible governance strategies that a successful person or family would have applied within their business.

The majority of our clients, whether they are the wealth creators, spouse, children or inheritors of wealth, are surprised to discover that management of large scale wealth can become almost a full time job. The skill set required and the complexities involved are quite different to the one typically employed in their business life. Importantly, our clients prefer to spend time on family and lifestyle rather than dealing with the day to day of the financial position.

Business success or substantial inheritance brings responsibility and requires the skills of multiple service providers, the management of those providers, and the handling of a myriad of financial, investment, family and lifestyle tasks. Notably, this needs to be done with a focus on governance, transparency and with the relationships of the family members as the core focus.

A disciplined and thoughtful succession strategy is more than just the Will, the Enduring Power of Attorney and supporting explanatory notes.  These documents are vital, but only dictate the technicalities of where assets go and who controls them.  These documents prepare the Assets for the beneficiaries, but who is preparing the beneficiaries for the assets?

Who is preparing your family TODAY for their roles and responsibilities TOMORROW?

Any family who has accumulated significant wealth should consider the following steps:

• Firstly, document clear strategies, objectives and systems for the management of family wealth; “Ensure this is a holistic ‘living’ document and that everyone in the family understands and adopts the policies and processes in place.”
• Manage and communicate family expectations and have a clear process and method for resolving family disputes.
• Communicate, Communicate, Communicate – meet regularly and discuss family matters openly and respectfully. “Don’t assume everyone in the family will have the same level of interest in the minutia of the management of the estate, but ensuring you communicate regularly with all family members will mean that no one can claim to have been unaware of major decisions.” Remember, MAKE IT FUN AND RELEVANT.  You won’t get engagement and contribution by the family if they are “meetings for meetings sake”
• Seek independent advice to oversee or manage the process. “This should be done collectively and individually and helps remove any emotive family issues. This can save hours of management time and years resolving disputes and provides all members with “a voice”.
• Find ‘the glue’ that binds the family together that is not the wealth. This could be philanthropic endeavours or an annual family holiday or retreat.

Finally, remember that “Dad’s plan is NOT the family plan”, unless the family follow the steps above and are engaged in the plan and strategy, it won’t survive the next generation. Furthermore, as stated earlier, the impacts on the family, family members, relationships and your legacy can be irreversible if not addressed.

Article written by Brad Scott of EWM Group and the Institute of Family Wealth. 

About EWM Group and Family Business Australia EWM Group is the National Gold Sponsor of Family Business Australia and partner to its family business and adviser members in the areas of Family Office, Philanthropy, Wealth Management, Family Governance, Coaching and Education. EWM Group will be conducting Succession Workshops through Australia during March 2018 for FBA Members.  To register please contact the FBA Events Team at info@fambiz.org.au, or EWM Group at admin@ewmgroup.com.au.