Gerald LeVan

This is Gerald Le Van's message:

• Family happiness is more than financial well-being.

• Happy wealthy families are high maintenance.

• By working smart, wealthy families can become happier families.

For two decades, Gerald Le Van has mediated family disputes about wealth and business. A distinguished trust and estates lawyer, he understands the practicalities of wealth and business. A sensitive mediator, he understands family dynamics and family peacekeeping.

In his dynamic but down-to-earth way, Le Van teaches wealthy families how to organize themselves for work, fun, nurture, and growth. He introduces the latest research about human happiness. He is a master storyteller, drawing audiences into his real-life descriptions of family struggles and family triumphs.

Gerald Le Van is the founder and senior mediator of the Le Van Company which guides families through challenging transitions in business and wealth.

An international consultant and speaker, Le Van is frequently quoted in the business press. He has authored five books including "The Survival Guide for Business Families," "Raising Rich Kids," and "Families, Money, and Trouble" and serves on the editorial boards of two national magazines.

Le Van is a Fellow of the Family Firm Institute, a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, a member of the International Academy of Estate and Trust Law, and former Trustee of the Presbyterian Church (USA) Foundation.

Approaching each presentation not merely as a speaker, but as an insightful provider of valuable information, Gerald Le Van carefully tailors presentations to the particular needs of each audience.

MOST REQUESTED TOPICS:

Family Wealth MediationSM is a unique approach to dispute resolution developed by The LeVan Company designed to avoid lawsuits about family wealth. Family Wealth MediationSM is highly effective, both to prevent disputes from arising and to resolve disputes before a lawsuit is filed.

Disputed family wealth issues may involve: family business, wills, trusts, trustees and executors, joint ownership or joint use of property, and family limited partnerships.

Pursuing Others' Happiness: A Positive Psychology of Philanthropy

In the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson declared that the "pursuit of happiness" is an inalienable right. A new "positive psychology" is exploring human happiness. But what is happiness? Who is happy? And how can wealthy families pursue happiness?

In an imaginary conversation between Jefferson and the founder of modern positive psychology, Gerald Le Van illustrates remarkable parallels in their views of human happiness. From long experience, Le Van believes that happiness is "high maintenance" in wealthy families. He adds sensitive and practical guidelines for growing and maintaining happiness in wealthy families.

Typical audience reaction: "Le Van understands how wealth and happiness not only co-exist but fortify each other."

Feuds and Flashpoints: Avoiding Family Conflict about Inheritance

Ellen, a wealthy widow, worries that her adult children will squabble over their inheritance. In a late life act of tough love, Ellen coaxes her children to organize a family council. After a shaky start, their family council becomes a forum for healthy discussion of family wealth, family concerns, and family heritage.

Wealthy family members and their advisors will readily identify with Ellen's dilemma and the seeds of dispute among her children. Their story provides hope and practical how-to guidance to families who want to avoid conflict over family wealth.

Typical audience reaction: "Best presentation about the human side of estate planning I have ever heard."

Either topic is suitable for a keynote address of 20 to 45 minutes, and either is expandable into a two to three-hour seminar.