Families of Wealth

graymatter works with families to facilitate creation of a cohesive process in managing the family’s true wealth. The process uses two simple proprietary tools:

1. Diagnostic Questions™ (DQs): A set of specifically designed questions which accurately diagnose each individual family member’s deep-seated goals for the wealth as well as those for the family as a whole
2. Wealth Optimization Matrices™: The plotting of the answers to those questions on a series of matrices designed to place a great deal of information ‘on the table’ in a central format that allows the family (and its advisors, if desired) to make the best use of it for successful wealth management, transitioning, and propagation.  

 graymatter bases its proprietary process on the following fundamental principles:

1. Generational perspectives create the dynamics of the family
2. There is a direct relationship between generational perspectives, family dynamics, and the decisions families make regarding almost every aspect of the management of their wealth. 
3. Wealth cannot be sustained or perpetuated over multiple generations unless family members can effectively communicate with each other regarding wealth issues.
4. The primary reasons the proverb “Shirtsleeves to shirtsleeves in three generations” is so highly predictive involve a) breakdowns in communication and trust within the family and b) lack of clarity by the next generation about its roles and their accompanying responsibilities.(1)

A more detailed outline of our process.

Advisor Services

*Goal-based asset allocation and asset location issues are ideologies formulated by Jean L.P. Brunel in his book, “Integrated Wealth Management: The New Direction for Portfolio Managers, 2nd Edition,” Euromoney Books, London 2006.

(1) A survey conducted by The Williams Group of 3250 families who transitioned their wealth over the past 20 years indicates 60 percent of respondent families attributed the failure to communications and trust issues; another 25 percent attributed it to lack of role clarity and understanding by heirs.