Give Well, Guide Well, Govern Well

When we plan the transfer of wealth between generations, we must think about the hopes, aspirations and intentions of the giver and the impact of that wealth on the receiver.

Where family trusts are involved, we also need to think about the style of trustee care and practice we want and whether it will positively enhance the well-being of the trust beneficiaries.

If family is important, you don’t want to leave a mess. When plans don’t work, or if important things are left unsaid, the associated pain and hurt can cascade down a family for generations to come.

It’s more than passing on money…

Good estate planning and trust governance is about investing in the future well-being of your family.

People must be able to flourish and thrive in the estate plans and trust structures we create for them. That means PEOPLE must be front and centre in the planning process to ensure we:

• get clear on what’s important,

• understand what’s possible,

• create positive and meaningful experiences,

• encourage excellence in our trustees, and

• help our trust beneficiaries to flourish.

Lindsay facilitates a purposeful planning process which helps families be in conversation and gets trustees and advisers connected, involved and on the same page.

When everyone knows the plan, we give well, guide well and govern well.

Not all wealth transitions and family trusts are purposeful…

Estate and trust planning has not always fully considered the capability and needs of people required to steward wealth (the trustees), or those who are required to integrate wealth into their lives (the inheritors or beneficiaries). Too often the focus for estate and trust planning is on the assets (the money) and legal documents (enduring powers of attorney, wills and trusts).

With more financial wealth being transitioned between generations on trust, family trusts must work for all involved. It is never too late for a purposeful conversation to help trust creators get their intentions clear, or to help trustees deliver outcomes which help beneficiaries live well with a trust in their life.

Lindsay knows how to create empowering and enhancing experiences. He’s an expert in guiding families and trustees and will help you get better definition on what’s important and what’s possible for your estate plan, or family trust.

Questions for reflection…

• How well have your intentions and hopes been defined and communicated?

• What messages are you sending with your estate plan or family trust?

• What style of trusteeship do you want for your trust beneficiaries?

• Does your estate plan or family trust practically work?

• Are you positively contributing to how you will be remembered?

Invitation

Contact Lindsay for a confidential conversation to talk through your situation. When you know what’s possible, its easier to take the next step.