Working in the Way the Family Needs

There is no standard No More Worries assignment. Our involvement is shaped by the wishes, circumstances and priorities of the family or individual concerned.

Sometimes we are asked to assist with one clearly defined project. This might be the preparation of a family meeting, the coordination of advisers in several countries, the review of succession arrangements or help with an unexpected problem that requires immediate attention.

On other occasions, we become a long-term counsellor and sounding board. The family can then raise questions before they have developed into formal assignments or serious problems. An early conversation may reveal that action is required, but it may equally provide reassurance that no immediate action is necessary.

At the beginning of the relationship, we agree on the role No More Worries should play, the expected degree of our involvement and the way in which we will communicate. These arrangements are not fixed forever. They can be expanded, reduced or adapted as the family and its circumstances change.

Depending on the family’s wishes, we may speak or meet regularly — for example monthly or quarterly — or only when a particular question arises. Regular conversations can be valuable because they provide a natural opportunity to discuss developments, identify emerging concerns and check that agreed actions have not been forgotten.

Once a relationship has been established, clients can contact their counsellor directly. Brief telephone calls and informal exchanges are part of the relationship. Questions do not always arise during scheduled meetings, and a short conversation at the right moment can sometimes prevent considerable difficulty later.

Distance is not an obstacle. Our clients and their family members may live or work anywhere in the world. Conversations can take place in person, by telephone or by video, depending on what is most practical and appropriate.

We work with the family’s existing advisers wherever possible. No More Worries does not seek to replace professionals who know the family and perform their role well. When additional expertise is required, we can help involve the appropriate specialist and clarify how that person’s work fits within the wider process.

The family remains in control. It decides which questions should be pursued, which professionals should be engaged and which course of action should ultimately be followed. Our role is to provide experience, perspective and practical support, not to take decisions away from the people whose family and future are involved.

The form of our involvement may change over time. We may begin with a single project and later remain available as a trusted counsellor. Equally, a long-term relationship may become less intensive once a difficult period has passed. Flexibility is part of the way we work.

Our role is not determined by a standard service model, but by what the family actually needs.