Over the years I've noticed something interesting when
speaking with families about structuring.
Many have already taken thoughtful steps.
A will is prepared.
An education trust may be established.
Sometimes assets are placed in children's names.
A holding company may even sit above certain investments.
Each of these decisions often reflects a sensible response to a
particular moment; a new business, a property acquisition, a
child's future, or the desire to begin putting things in
order.But we have seen a pattern that often becomes clear: many
families have important pieces in place, yet those pieces do not
always operate together as a coherent whole.
The result is that ownership, investments and decision-making
can sit across several arrangements that were created independently
of one another. And this raises an important question.
