Understanding the Family Office

The goals and needs of the family shape the office, making each office unique in its approach to life and wealth management.
What is a Family Office?

A family office is the organization a family creates, often after the sale of a family business or another realization of significant liquidity, to support the financial needs of a specific family. While no formal data exists, we estimate there are between 2,500 and 6,000 family offices in the United States, and that another 5,000 exist informally inside privately controlled businesses in the U.S. In Europe and Asia, the concept of life and wealth management in a family office is evolving, but new family offices in these areas are still being formed monthly in these areas.

Types of Family Offices

Although each family office has a unique focus defined first and foremost by the family’s goals, most can be categorized into one of seven common types.

List of Family Office Services

This list of family office services shows a range of commonly provided services.

Do I Need a Family Office?

Family groups decide to start offices for many different reasons. Level of assets is just part of the equation.

Starting a Family Office

There are many things to consider when starting a family office for life and wealth management.

Family Office FAQs

Find answers to frequently asked questions about life and wealth management with a family office. > Learn more

Family Office Alternatives

Family offices are not always the right solution. There are some alternatives in the marketplace that offer similar services. The key is finding the right fit.