从“管钱”到“管家”：家族信托如何守护家族财富？

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the importance of family trusts as a crucial tool for wealth management and intergenerational wealth transfer in high-net-worth families in China, especially in the context of increasing wealth accumulation and the complexities of wealth succession [1][2][5]. Group 1: Understanding Family Trusts - Family trusts are defined as a legal structure that allows individuals to manage and protect their assets according to their wishes, ensuring compliance, asset isolation, and tax planning [3][4]. - Contrary to the belief that family trusts are exclusive to the ultra-wealthy, they can be tailored for families with varying asset scales, starting from as little as 1 million yuan [3][4]. Group 2: Growth and Adoption - The adoption of family trusts in China has seen significant growth, with the number of family trust clients at Shanghai Trust increasing from 1,200 to 12,000 in three years, marking a tenfold increase [4]. - This growth reflects a shift in focus from short-term gains to long-term wealth preservation among families [5]. Group 3: Functions and Benefits - Family trusts serve multiple functions, including risk isolation, asset protection, and structured wealth transfer, particularly in complex family dynamics [6][7]. - They provide legal independence and long-term stability, effectively safeguarding assets from marital disputes, debt issues, or inheritance conflicts [4][7]. Group 4: Planning for the Future - Family trusts allow for proactive planning, enabling clients to set specific conditions for wealth distribution, such as educational milestones or age thresholds for beneficiaries [8][11]. - In the context of an aging population, family trusts are increasingly seen as essential for ensuring the financial security of dependents and managing wealth transitions [13][14]. Group 5: Professional Management - The complexity of modern family wealth necessitates professional management, as family assets now often include diverse forms such as equity, intellectual property, and cross-border assets [14]. - Family offices, like Shanghai Trust's family management office, provide comprehensive support for family trusts, integrating legal, tax, investment, and governance expertise [9][10].