The Seventh Deadly Sin that Can Undermine High-Net Worth Families
Seventh Deadly Sin: Lack of Communication with Family Members, Especially Regarding Family Values and Legacy Issues
Money is hard to talk about, and in order of progression of difficulty in discussing come: the meaning of money, the meaning of (family) life, and finally death.
“Legacy property” is perhaps the largest source of family conflict when the senior generation passes away. By “legacy property,” we refer to assets such as: the family business, the family office, and the family vacation home…and frequently family philanthropic goals. The senior generation sees “legacy property” as a means of keeping extended family together long after the senior generation is gone.
But what about a family business where one child is the “successor” and the other three children just want monthly checks? Or the family vacation home, where one child (unemployed, by the way…) moves in? In this context, family retreats and psychologists (family therapists can provide significant value). Because there is more to life than just money.
The moral of this story: don’t assume, because it might make a plaintiff and defendant out of you and me.

