How long should a family meeting be?

Long enough to reach decisions without fatigue. Most families stay in a 60-90 minute window and continue in a follow-up session if needed.

Who should lead the meeting?

A chair or facilitator who can keep the agenda moving and record decisions. This can be a family member or a neutral advisor.

What should be documented after the meeting?

Decisions, owners, due dates, and any unresolved items that require a follow-up meeting.

Family Meeting Agenda Template (US)

Answer (2026): Use this agenda to keep a family wealth meeting focused on decisions, not debates. It defines who leads, what gets decided, and how outcomes are documented.

Context: Best for families with shared assets, a private business, or a transition in ownership or leadership.

Action: Pair this agenda with the Family Constitution Starter so decisions follow agreed rules.

Last reviewed: January 21, 2026.

Key takeaways

Decisions are made faster when the agenda is explicit.
Documenting outcomes prevents re-litigation later.
Governance is a rhythm, not a one-time event.

If nobody can name the decision at the end, the meeting did not do its job.

Pre-meeting setup (1 week before)

Confirm attendees and decision rights.
Distribute pre-read materials (financial snapshot, agenda, open decisions).
Clarify which items require a vote vs. a discussion.