Succession Planning: How to Deal with Difference, Illness & Narcissism
- Sophie Bell
- Jul 23
- 1 min read
Every family carries both love and complexity. And when it’s time to plan a legacy, those complexities rise to the surface—especially when one family member’s voice begins to dominate.
Narcissistic behavior—whether subtle or overt—can quietly undermine trust and derail succession. Layer in other challenges, such as a child with learning difficulties, a grandchild exploring gender identity, or a parent facing chronic illness, and legacy becomes not only fragile—but explosive.
Who belongs? Who decides? Who gets ignored?
Without intentional structure, these questions can spiral into power struggles.Without emotional intelligence, legal planning becomes cold—or worse, manipulative.
A Holistic Legal Approach
Holistic law offers a different path. It brings together legal precision and emotional awareness, helping families:
Recognize and navigate narcissistic patterns without blame
Create inclusive frameworks that honor every voice—not just the loudest
Plan for illness, neurodiversity, or identity differences with compassion and clarity
Co-create family charters that reflect shared values—not personal agendas
As a Swiss business attorney and international holistic lawyer, I support modern families and family offices in transforming silence into structure—and in building a legacy that includes wisdom, belonging, and emotional safety.
Because true succession isn’t just about wealth transfer.It’s about honoring the whole story—and everyone in it.
