Ownership & fairness
When money becomes personal.
Family members may own equal shares while contributing in very different ways. Clear arrangements for work, pay, ownership and inheritance help prevent every money decision becoming a test of loyalty.
The situation
Does this feel familiar?
One person runs the business. Others hold shares or receive money without the same day-to-day responsibility. Parents want to be fair, but the family has not agreed what fairness means.
- Salary, drawings and dividends are treated as if they are the same thing.
- Different children have different roles and expectations.
- The will, ownership records and shareholder arrangements do not fit together.
A clearer way forward
What the work
can clarify.
Your circumstances shape the priorities. Together, we can work towards:
- A clear distinction between payment for work and returns on ownership.
- Agreed policies for family employment, pay and distributions.
- Ownership and succession arrangements that reflect the family’s decisions.
- A shared understanding of expectations before a major transition.
Our dad died unexpectedly, and I was the only child that worked in the business with him. With Mankee Advisory, we were able to outline our roles and responsibilities, and develop a workable exit strategy, as well as a communication, succession and governance structure that everyone was able to get on board with.
Before you begin
Questions you may have.
Does fair always mean equal?
Different roles, contributions and circumstances can call for different arrangements. What matters is a considered decision and a clear understanding of the reasons behind it.
Can you work with our accountant or other advisors?
Yes. Pay, distributions, ownership and estate planning benefit from coordinated advice. The engagement should make responsibilities clear.
Bring clarity to work,
ownership and expectations.
Tell me where the money questions are creating difficulty. We can explore what needs to be understood and agreed.