Balancing Tradition and Transition in Multigenerational Wealth Planning

Succession planning isn’t just about tax efficiency or estate division it’s about balancing identity, legacy, and continuity across generations. Nowhere is this more complex than in multicultural, multijurisdictional families.

Letluc recently advised a family with roots in India, residency in the UK, and business holdings across Africa and the Middle East. The second generation was pushing for transparency and operational control. The founding generation, however, emphasized respect for cultural norms, privacy, and long-term stewardship through traditional roles.

This case presented a deeper challenge: how do you preserve a family's values without compromising on structure, control, or compliance?

What We Learned

1. Legacy Needs Language
   Most conflict begins not with disagreement—but with assumption. We guided the family through a “legacy narrative” process to document core values and future intent. This became the foundation of a family constitution.
2. Structure Enables Harmony
   Rather than force a single view, we structured layered control: the family trust preserved founder intent, while an investment committee enabled next-gen voice and visibility.
3. Culture is a Variable, Not a Barrier
   We acknowledged cultural expectations without allowing them to override fiduciary principles. With third-party facilitation, the family embraced a hybrid model—combining traditional respect with institutional-grade governance.

Final Insight

When legacy is designed with intent, it becomes more than memory it becomes infrastructure. And for families across cultures, honoring both tradition and transition is where true continuity begins.