How to Avoid or Resolve Family Disputes

Managing expectations, differences of opinion and clashes before they turn into family conflicts or rivalry, is an important part of ensuring the long term success of any family business. Often the best way to avoid disputes between family members is to have a combination of regular face-to-face family meetings and systems or structures in place to deal with disputes before they arise. It can also be helpful to appoint a peacemaker in the family or to bring in a professional family business adviser if there is a need for mediation.

Some questions to ask:

  • How are conflicts or disagreements in the family currently resolved?
  • How do we ensure we always strive for a win-win situation?
  • Should we seek outside help in resolving a power struggle?
  • How can we avoid sibling rivalry?
  • Who in the family is capable of dealing with conflict and differences?