Last weekend, Father's Day provided people with a chance to pause and consider what fatherhood means. Given how much interest there is today in family dynamics, and ensuring that accumulating wealth has a sense of purpose, we carry a guest aritcle which delves into the topic.

Held on 15 June, Father’s Day is an opportunity to give thanks to our fathers, and remember those who have passed on but who continue to inspire us. (Of course, not everyone necessarily will have happy recollections.) The day can encourage people to think about “legacy” – a term that can perhaps be used rather loosely but speaks to the idea of transmitting values to future generations. There’s also a lot of conversation today about the absence of father-figures in the lives of men and women when they grow up, and the toll that causes. Great fathers should not be taken for granted. 

The following writer, Ray Ang (main picture), Singapore CEO, Grandtag Financial Consultancy, talks about the meaning of fatherhood, legacy and family dynamics. These are issues that regularly engage those in the private client and wealth management sector trying to get a closer idea of what make families “tick”. We thank the author for this contribution to conversation, and encourage readers to join in. The usual editorial disclaimers apply. Email tom.burroughes@wealthbriefing.com and amanda.cheesley@clearviewpublishing.com

Every year, Father’s Day offers us a moment to pause; not just to celebrate with our children, but to reflect on what fatherhood truly means. For generations, fathers have been seen as providers and protectors – pillars of strength within the family. We have shouldered the responsibility of ensuring security, comfort, and opportunity.

Yet today, our role is expanding. The modern father’s most critical contribution is no longer just provision, but stewardship. As I reflect on my own journey, I have come to see that our greatest work is not just what we build in our lifetime, but what we pass on. 

Legacy today goes far beyond financial assets. It is about emotional leadership, about preparing the next generation to carry forward not just our wealth, but our wisdom and values. This shift marks a fundamental reimagining of fatherhood, especially in a time when wealth creation has grown more complex, and family dynamics more nuanced than ever.

Leading with the heart: Driving dialogues around family legacy
In my work with families across Asia, I see more fathers, particularly in high net worth families, stepping into this evolved role. They are not only managing wealth but also mentoring their children to become capable, responsible stewards of it.

Still, legacy conversations are often delayed or avoided. Talking about succession, family governance, or the “what-if” questions can feel uncomfortable, especially in many Asian cultures where openly discussing such matters can be seen as inviting misfortune or being disrespectful. However, given today’s economic volatility and shifting generational dynamics, postponing these talks is a risk we cannot afford.

Whether you start with informal conversations or opt for regular family meetings, these crucial dialogues about wealth, values, and responsibility are a shared family endeavour. And when fathers lead with openness and intention, these conversations become a source of unity, not division. 

More than numbers: The emotional and practical layers of legacy
Today’s fathers are also redefining masculinity. Not through control, but through empathy, foresight, and responsibility. In Asia, where family identity is closely tied to tradition, legacy planning extends beyond mere estate planning, tax strategy or asset protection. It unearths the deeply human aspects of wealth: fears of losing control, hopes for our children, and the desire to preserve family harmony.

I often see fathers grappling with how to honour the values they were raised with while staying relevant to a younger generation which views the world differently. Wealth advisors can help fathers navigate this by facilitating open, values-based family conversations, bridging generational differences, and co-creating governance frameworks that honour both heritage and change. Ultimately, the most successful legacy plans are co-designed to address not just legal and financial considerations, but also the unspoken questions: How do we prepare our children for the responsibility of wealth, not just its comforts? How do we build frameworks for unity that last?

These conversations require courage, both financial and emotional. Yet, the clarity they bring can anchor a family for generations. Proactive succession planning stands as one of the most profound acts of care fathers can offer to their children, empowering the next generation with both the technical knowledge and emotional readiness to face the future with confidence.

The blueprint in action: Shaping legacy through everyday engagement
Legacy is not something we build overnight, or only at the end of life; it is shaped gradually, through consistent actions and habits that reinforce the values we want to pass on. As both a wealth advisor and a father, I have come to see that it is not just about what we say, but how we live. 

Children learn not only from our principles but from our priorities. The decisions we make about how we spend our time, how we treat others, and how we respond to success or failure – these all become unspoken lessons. Whether it is involving our children in community giving, inviting them to observe how family business decisions are made, or encouraging them to ask questions about finances, we are planting seeds of understanding and ownership.

Small, everyday intentional acts – like sharing stories behind family assets, documenting the rationale behind major financial decisions, or co-creating family values statements – can have a powerful cumulative effect. These practices demystify wealth, foster a sense of shared purpose, and give children the confidence to step into their future roles.

Legacy-building, at its core, is less about instruction and more about immersion. When children see generosity modelled, when they participate in family discussions, or when they are given real responsibility in age-appropriate ways, they develop not just competence, but conviction.

Family legacy: A father’s enduring gift
The most profound inheritance a father can leave is not what is listed in a will, but what is written in the hearts and minds of his children. What will our children say about us when we are gone? Will they remember what we gave them, or how we made them feel? Will they carry forward just our wealth, or also our wisdom?

At Grandtag Financial Consultancy, we often remind families that true legacy is not about how much you leave behind – it is about what lives on. The most enduring legacy is the one written in the character and confidence of the next generation. 

I have had the privilege of working with fathers who understand that their greatest achievement is not the size of their estate, but the character of their children. Building this kind of legacy is not easy. It requires vulnerability, patience, and the willingness to have difficult conversations. Yet, as fathers, it may be the most important work we ever do. 

Because at the end of the day, the greatest gift we can give our children is not just financial security, it is the knowledge that they are loved, valued, and prepared to carry forward something meaningful.