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Family Governance Starter Kit

A charter outline, a council model and a decision-rights template.

Families need rules as much as companies do.

When a family owns a business, property or wealth together, three systems overlap: the family, the ownership and the business. Without clear governance, family questions leak into business decisions, and business decisions strain the family. This starter kit gives a family a practical way to begin: a charter outline, a council model and a decision-rights template. It is a starting point to adapt, written for families in South Africa, and it is not legal advice.

What it covers

  1. Why governance, and when
  2. The three circles
  3. The family charter
  4. The family council
  5. Decision rights template
  6. Next generation and entry rules
  7. Starting the process
  8. Readiness check

About this guide

Written by the BlackLeaf team, this is the 2026 edition: 11 pages, free to read online or download as a PDF. It is general information for South African owners, boards and families, and is not legal, tax or investment advice. Speak to a qualified adviser before you act on it.

How BlackLeaf can help

BlackLeaf supports families with governance, oversight and administration for complex family structures.

Family office services

Free guide

11 pages · PDF

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