Eight Actions for Developing a Family Wealth Philosophy

Creating a family wealth philosophy is a crucial step in safeguarding a family's financial future. It establishes a clear strategy and an understanding of how to manage, distribute, and preserve the family's wealth, ensuring it lasts for generations to come.

Here are some key actions for developing a family wealth philosophy.

1. Open communication - The first step in the process of formulating a family wealth philosophy is open and transparent communication among family members. It's crucial to involve all key family members in discussing the financial goals, expectations, and fears. This dialogue will help prevent future misunderstandings and disagreements over money matters.

2. Identifying values -  In the foundation of every wealth philosophy lies the core values of the family. Therefore, it's critical to identify and outline these values early in the process. This identification could encompass principles related to philanthropy, entrepreneurship, or the importance of education.

3. Setting goals - Once the values are defined, it's time to establish clear, measurable financial goals. These goals can be short-term, such as saving for a vacation or a car, or long-term, like planning for retirement or working toward financial independence for future generations. A financial professional can help families establish goals aligned with their values.

4. Understanding resources - To devise a strategy for preserving and enhancing wealth, understanding the family's available financial resources is a must. This understanding involves a comprehensive review of the family's total assets, liabilities, income, expenses, and investments.

 With clear goals and a comprehensive understanding of resources, the family can now create a detailed plan with their financial, tax, and legal professionals. This plan should outline various strategies for managing wealth, including investment approaches, tax planning, estate planning, and philanthropy.

6. Establishing roles and responsibilities - Family members must establish roles and responsibilities for each member. These roles encompass decision-making, asset management, and implementing the wealth management plan.

7. Implementing the plan - After designing the plan, it then needs to be put into action: implementing investment strategies, setting up trust funds, and any other relevant parts of the family wealth philosophy.

8. Regular review and adjustment – A family’s wealth philosophy is not static; it evolves with the changing financial landscape, family needs, and objectives. Regular reviews and adjustments to the plan will help keep it relevant and practical.

Developing a family wealth philosophy not only provides a blueprint for managing family wealth but also fosters unity and understanding among family members. Remember, each family's wealth philosophy will be unique, reflecting their circumstances, values, goals, and resources. Therefore, it's beneficial to seek guidance from financial, legal, and tax professionals in developing and implementing your family wealth philosophy.