header-logo header-logo

07 August 2026 / Beth Bell , Megan Freeman
Issue: 8173 / Categories: Features , Family , Wills & Probate
printer mail-detail

How to keep the family fortune

256701
© Toni Granados/shutterstock
Beth Bell & Megan Freeman set out legal & governance strategies that can help prevent disputes in wealthy families
  • Effective succession planning can help to ensure families keep their wealth.
  • Looks at the evolving role of the family office in handling strategic planning, investment management, legal and tax advice and asset management.
  • Suggests using non-binding family constitution documents, family councils and education programmes to steer families away from expensive disputes.

Family wealth in the ultra-high net worth (UHNW) sphere is becoming increasingly complex and international. At the same time, the so-called ‘great wealth transfer’ is expected to see substantial assets pass from the baby boomer generation to their children and grandchildren over the coming decades. Stewardship and succession planning is a key concern for these families.

Family wealth faces a range of external risks, including market volatility, economic downturns and geopolitical uncertainty. Internal factors can however be equally challenging. Family disagreements, competing expectations and values, and breakdowns in communication can threaten both family relationships

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Penningtons Manches Cooper—Jean-François Le Gal

Penningtons Manches Cooper—Jean-François Le Gal

Penningtons Manches Cooper strengthens international disputes team with appointment of leading arbitration partner

Shakespeare Martineau—Aaron Sanders & Kate Saunders

Shakespeare Martineau—Aaron Sanders & Kate Saunders

Shakespeare Martineau strengthens trust and estates disputes team with new appointments

Bellevue Law—Shannon Moore

Bellevue Law—Shannon Moore

Bellevue Law strengthens employment disputes and international advisory capability with senior associate appointment

NEWS
A divorced woman has secured funding to participate in her former husband’s inquest after the Legal Aid Agency reconsidered repeated refusals
More than 500 former rugby players can pursue brain injury claims despite serious failures to disclose documents ordered by the High Court
Developers in areas with poorly performing councils can apply directly to the Planning Inspectorate for permission under section 62A of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990
When does a solicitor’s retainer become a contentious business agreement? The Court of Appeal’s decision in Broadfield Law UK LLP v Barnes shows that listing hourly rates alone will not do, leaving firms and clients uncertain about their rights over bills
MPs cannot simply resign their Commons seats. Instead, they take a nominal Crown office, usually the Chiltern Hundreds or Manor of Northstead, which disqualifies them from sitting
back-to-top-scroll