Fun-fun-fun—helps grease the wheels of relationship. Often overlooked, this is a very important element. If you can have fun together and can dream together, you can find a peaceful, fair way to family estate settlement. An important job on the team is “Fun Master.” This role should be rotated through the group. Celebrate the steps along the way. An opportunity to strengthen relationship with your family members is one of the gifts you have received.

Find ways to enjoy the process. Get creative about your fun making!

While Mom and Dad are still able, create opportunities for them to share stories of their lives. Old photos are a great stimulus for story telling. It is not unusual for family members to have very different memories of an event. Comparing memories is a source of amazement, insight and lots of laughs. (How can we each see the world so differently?)

Moving the folks to assisted living can be a “great adventure”—for them & for you. It’s all in how you frame it. How can you make whatever you are doing into a fun experience?

Cleaning out the family home will bring up many stories to share. New stories will be triggered by old photos, toys, remnants of the past. Take the time to share the stories.

A final party in the family home, inviting neighbors and friends can be a fun way to say good-bye. One family I know had a yard sale party. The guests were given tokens to ‘buy” the yard sale items. At the end of the day, there had been a lot of laughs and a lot less stuff to cart away.

Fun memories imprinted on the mind and in the heart make a solid foundation upon which to build your relationship bridge from Generation One to Generation Two.

1. Identify the Parties Involved
2. Begin The Conversation
3. Build Trust
4. Competency of Trustee & Advisors
5. Element Five: Design Your Alliance for Family Meetings
6. Build A Team
7. Meet Regularly
8. Plan Fun into the Process
Conclusion