Executive Summary
The largest intergenerational transfer of wealth in modern history is already underway.
Over the coming years, trillions of dollars are expected to pass from one generation to the next, reshaping family businesses, investment portfolios, philanthropic initiatives, and governance structures worldwide. According to Vanguard, an estimated $18.3 trillion in wealth is projected to transfer globally by 2030.[5]
For many families, the challenge is not transferring assets. It is transferring knowledge, responsibility, values, and stewardship.
The families that successfully navigate this transition typically begin preparing years before the transfer itself occurs.
Key Findings
Wealth Transfer Has Already Begun
Recent UBS research found that nearly one-third of next-generation family members report that wealth transfers are already underway, while a further 25% expect transfers to begin in the near future.[4]
Already Transferring Wealth ████████ 32%
Preparing For Transfer ██████ 25%
Future Planning ████████ 43%
The question facing many families is no longer if succession will occur, but whether the next generation is prepared.
The Real Risk Is Not Tax
When discussing succession planning, conversations often focus on taxes, trusts, and ownership structures.
While these are important considerations, they are rarely the primary reason family transitions fail.
More common challenges include:
- Lack of communication
- Unclear family expectations
- Governance gaps
- Leadership readiness
- Conflicting visions among family members
Successful transitions require attention to both financial and human capital.
Beyond Wealth: Transferring Values
The most enduring family enterprises understand that wealth is only one component of a legacy.
Financial Capital
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Human Capital
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Family Values
+
Governance
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Multi-Generational Continuity
Preparing future generations often involves:
- Financial education
- Governance participation
- Mentorship programs
- Family councils
- Philanthropic engagement
- Business leadership development
Family Businesses Face a Defining Decade
Research involving 1,587 family businesses across 70 countries found that more than 26% of family firms expect ownership transitions within the next five years.[3]
For entrepreneurial families, succession planning extends far beyond investment portfolios and often includes:
- Family operating companies
- Board governance
- Shareholder agreements
- Leadership succession
- Business continuity planning
Founder
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Family Leadership
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Ownership Alignment
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Governance Framework
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Future Generations
When Should Families Start?
Earlier than most think.
A UBS survey found that 56% of respondents believe parents should discuss wealth earlier with their children, helping create familiarity with responsibility long before inheritance occurs.[6]
Many successful families introduce governance and financial literacy in stages:
Ages 13–18
Understanding responsibility and values
Ages 18–30
Financial literacy and participation
Ages 30–45
Leadership and governance involvement
Ages 45+
Stewardship and succession leadership
A Family Office Perspective
At Aureon Family Office, we believe succession planning is not an event—it is a process.
The objective is not merely to transfer wealth efficiently.
The objective is to prepare future generations to manage complexity, preserve family unity, and steward capital responsibly.
The strongest families invest as much effort in developing future leaders as they do in building investment portfolios.
Strategic Questions Every Family Should Ask
- Is our family prepared for a leadership transition?
- Do future generations understand the purpose of our wealth?
- Have we documented family values and governance principles?
- Is there a clear succession roadmap?
- Are future decision-makers actively involved today?
Further Reading
UBS Global Wealth Report 2025
https://www.ubs.com/global/en/wealthmanagement/insights/global-wealth-report.html
Vanguard – Navigating the Great Wealth Transfer
https://www.vanguard.co.uk/professional/vanguard-365/financial-planning/wealth-transfer/great-wealth-transfer
UBS Next Generation Wealth Study
https://fundselectorasia.com/ubs-publishes-first-report-on-the-next-gen-wealthy/
Continue the Conversation
Preparing Future Generations Starts Today
The greatest legacy is not the wealth that is transferred, but the capability, responsibility, and values that accompany it.
Whether your family is navigating succession planning, governance structures, leadership development, or ownership transitions, Aureon Family Office provides independent guidance designed to support continuity across generations.
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