What it is
A report, not software. When a family lives and invests in several countries, many areas of law meet: how assets are held and invested, where family members live and may move, what happens to assets on death, and how the family makes decisions together. They are usually handled one at a time by different advisers. This report puts them together for your family, so you can see how a choice in one area affects the others.
When to use it
When a family office is set up or restructured, when a family member moves or plans to move to another country, when the family buys assets abroad, or when the next generation is about to take part. Also when you want to see the whole picture before talking to advisers in each country.
How to use it
Tell us in general terms who the family is, in which countries members live and where the family holds assets. Please keep it general: no account numbers, names of beneficiaries or identity numbers. We confirm what is included and a fixed fee in writing. You then receive the report in your WLA account.
What you gain
You see how structures, residency, succession and governance connect across countries, before you make changes. You avoid fixing one problem and creating another. You know which questions need which local lawyer, and can brief them precisely.
THE SITUATIONA family has a business in one country, investments in two others and members living in three. A family member is about to move abroad. The family wants to plan for the next generation.
WITHOUT THE MAPEach adviser looks at their own country. Nobody sees how a move by one family member changes what happens to the family's holdings elsewhere, or what the family documents say about decisions. Problems appear after the move.
WITH THE MAPOne document sets out the structures the family holds through, the residency position of each member, how succession would work across the countries, and how the family governs itself. The family decides with the whole picture.
Family officeA private organisation that manages a wealthy family's investments and affairs.
Holding structureThe companies, trusts or other vehicles through which a family owns assets.
ResidencyWhere a person is treated as living, for immigration and for tax. They can differ.
SuccessionWhat happens to a person's assets and roles after death or retirement, including inheritance rules.
Family governanceHow the family makes decisions together, often set out in a family charter or agreement.
Local counselA lawyer qualified in that country. Only they can confirm what the country's law requires for you.
