Family Governance

As a family grows, informal decision-making often becomes more difficult. Different generations, family branches, personal priorities, and levels of involvement can create uncertainty around ownership, communication, distributions, and shared responsibilities.

Family governance provides a structured framework through which family members can discuss important matters, make decisions, and preserve alignment without allowing every issue to become personal.

L’Heritage helps families establish governance systems suited to their culture, complexity, and stage of development.

Areas of focus

• Family purpose, values, and shared direction
• Family council and decision-making structures
• Communication and information rights
• Ownership and distribution principles
• Family participation and conduct
• Conflict prevention and resolution

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What the family legacy advisory may include

• Family Governance Assessment — Review the family’s structure, ownership, communication, decision-making, and current areas of uncertainty.
• Family Council Design — Define membership, authority, meeting frequency, responsibilities, and the relationship with company boards or trustees.
• Family Constitution Development — Facilitate agreement on shared values, ownership principles, family roles, participation, and long-term stewardship.
• Decision-Making Framework — Establish how decisions are proposed, discussed, approved, recorded, and communicated.
• Family Communication Protocols — Create formal forums and expectations for information sharing, meetings, confidentiality, and family dialogue.
• Ownership and Distribution Policies — Address dividends, liquidity, benefits, family assets, transfer rights, and expectations between active and non-active owners.
• Conflict-Resolution Framework — Define escalation, mediation, independent facilitation, and dispute-resolution procedures.
• Governance Review and Facilitation — Support family meetings, annual reviews, policy updates, and ongoing implementation.

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