DON'T leave anyone out of the conversation when it comes to family succession planning.
It's possibly the most important consideration when initiating a family meeting.
But why employ a facilitator to a family meeting when each member knows what they want?
James Hamilton of Cultivate Advisory, a facilitator of family succession planning meetings, knows well the pitfalls for families who don't plan well.
"Leave one person out and they may feel alienated and angry," he said.
"And that could cause so much unnecessary pain, not to mention financial cost if legal proceedings commence.
"It's so important that every family member is part of the conversation and final decisions. My experience shows that if all family members are included they come with a degree of generosity and when not included... the knifes are out".
James and Amanda Hamilton and family are mixed-farmers at Gundooi, west of Narromine, running 19-micron Merinos, prime lambs, and would have cropped 1400 hectares, but not this drought year.
Mr Hamilton has also made a career in succession planning facilitation and will be one of six presenters at a Succession Planning for Family Businesses at Narromine on July 16, being conducted by National Association for Loss and Grief (NALAG).
The one-day workshop will help families negotiate succession with increased clarity, calm and consideration.
"With the necessary management of emotions, the result will make a more harmonious and more productive family business," Mr Hamilton said.
People who register will receive a make-up family case scenario which will be workshopped during the day.
NALAG's Drought Program Coordinator - Our Shout program, Brenda Baker said the organisation was involved because of the grief that comes from loss and change, which obviously in succession forms a very large part of the story if it's not done well.
"We want to be supporting the space that opens up the conversation around people without harm or malice going to the next generation," Ms Baker said.
"People's health and wellbeing comes at a big loss too when succession is not done well.
"We are not around financial advice. It's about supporting people to have choice in decision making and making sure that everybody is at the table."
Ms Baker said family partnerships were a really huge part of rural communities and when families break apart that also affects the wider community as well.
"So it is really important to build strong communities by building strong families."
Presenters include solicitor specialising in Wills and succession planning, Claire Booth, Dubbo solicitor Jennifer Spear, financial planner Joel Bones, accountant Tom Larkin and behavioral scientist Allan Parker.
Mr Hamilton said too often succession meetings begin with focusing on the numbers, meaning the assets. The personalities who are quick at making decisions are able to push their point of view while the more considered, reflective personalities sometimes do not have their point of view clearly heard.
"It is my role to create a safe environment where all can be heard and understood".
Mr Hamilton begins by focusing on understanding the needs of each person, looking for any common needs within the family. Once all understand each others needs he then focuses on the assets and how best the assets may support each person's needs.
Mr Hamilton noted he is busier working with families during drought than he was during the good seasons. He puts this down to the family members on the farm working day in and day out wanting to know what their future look like and is it all worth it.
"This cannot be answered until all family members come together and explore options. At the conclusion of a succession planning day the family will have stated what they believe to be fair".
- The Family Matters succession planning for family businesses workshop, Narromine United Services Memorial Club, Tuesday, July 16. For registration email brenda@nalag.org.au