From Values to Action: Creating Your Family Constitution in 1 Weekend

Your Family Constitution is a north star: a concise document that captures what you stand for, how you decide, and where you’re going. It’s not a legal contract and doesn’t replace your estate documents. It’s the practical guide your whole family can read, understand, and use, especially the next generation.

Why a constitution works

A constitution reduces ambiguity. When questions arise (“Is this investment aligned with our goals?” “Who approves real-estate sales?”), the charter gives a shared lens and a process. It’s not a replacement for law; it’s the human layer that keeps the family aligned.

7 questions to uncover values

Gather a small drafting group and explore:

1. What does “stewardship” mean to us over 10–30 years?
2. How do we define “fair” across generations?
3. Where are our non-negotiables (e.g., ethics, diversification, education)?
4. Which decisions require consensus vs. consent vs. majority?
5. What conflicts of interest can appear, and how will we handle them?
6. What’s our policy on transparency and information-sharing?
7. How do we prepare and include the next generation?

Capture answers in plain language. Remember, short sentences beat lofty statements.

Drafting principles, roles, and red lines

• Principles: 6–10 short statements (“We invest for long-term resilience,” “We disclose related-party dealings”).
• Roles: Founder, council chair, family council members, next-gen representatives.
• Red lines: Clear “no-go” areas (e.g., personal use of family assets without disclosure, borrowing without approval).

Turning principles into simple rules

Translate principles into workable rules:

• Meeting cadence and quorum
• Voting model and tie-breaks
• Disclosure thresholds (e.g., >$X requires approval)
• Onboarding & offboarding processes for council members
• Education milestones for next-gen participation

Aim for a 2–4 page document—concise enough to read, clear enough to apply.

Publishing the constitution in Reluna

In Reluna, use the Constitution builder: pick a template, draft sections, set review permissions, and track acknowledgments. When the charter updates, everyone sees a single source of truth.

Open Reluna Family→ Family Constitution→ start AI-Guided Constitution Creation.