Bottom-Line Behavior

Fair or equal? How to split up ownership of a family business

Emotions and money are in play when deciding the future of a family business. Over-communicating is essential when making long-term decisions.

By Denise Federer
| 5:00 a.m. February 19, 2026

Advice

When planning the future of a family business or estate, one of the most difficult questions facing the outgoing generation is how to divide up ownership and assets among family members. There are essentially two ways to do it — "equal” or “fair.” Understanding the difference between them is essential, especially in a world where the complexity of financial considerations around family business and estate planning is ever-growing.