Family Offices : Why You Need One
The family office market is one of the fastest-growing segments in the wealth management services industry. However, despite the growth, the industry is often misunderstood, with many people believing it to be either a small niche business or a differentiating factor for the ultra-high-net-worth.
The idea of a family office is nothing new. Royal families have been establishing them for decades to manage the financial affairs of the royal household and their real estate holdings.
Meanwhile, billionaires have also been setting up family offices (FO) to handle the operation and management of their financial assets.
But more recently, affluent individuals, far from being billionaires, are also establishing them.
1. What Is A Family Office ?
The definition of a family office varies, but Forbes says it’s “a private office that handles the financial and personal affairs of high-net-worth families.” Additionally, the family office tends to be private and insulated from public relations. It’s typically mission-based, highly confidential, and takes on personal tasks that ensure the wealthy family would not be exposed to public scrutiny.
2. Benefits of Having A Family Office (FO)
As the responsibilities of a FO vary from one to another, it’s safe to state that there is no standard set of duties. A FO typically takes care of:
– Ensures tax efficiency of the estate by planning distributions from inherited investment
– Consolidates and integrates financial activities of the family members
Rather than letting each family member manage their wealth, a FO can consolidate all the related activities and businesses. This includes investment management, accounting, tax planning, insurance, and philanthropy. Of course, the FO might still work with external advisers for some related activities, but the family office coordinates all the activities.
– Helps to insulate the family from inappropriate business and personal entanglements
The FO can be involved in all the financial and business transactions of the family. As a result, it can prevent unwanted deals by screening them beforehand.
– Provides professional management of family commercial and real estate holdings
A FO can oversee the management of dairy farms or vineyards. It can also be involved in the day-to-day operations of a luxury hotel. A FO can also manage non-family-owned companies (e.g. corporate startups) or even charities.
– Provides a central location for coordinating family information
Family members who delegate their business and personal affairs to a full-time FO will enjoy having a one-stop shop for their many requirements. This can include managing emails and maintaining confidentiality regarding their matters.
– Provides security and safety for the family
This includes providing safekeeping for valuables and precious documents, as well as monitoring the health of family members.
– Offers complete infrastructure and basic human needs for family members
This includes providing health insurance, managing travel, arranging educational opportunities for children, and so forth.
3. Why Create a Family Office (FO)?
Family offices (FO) are excellent for managing wealth and holding it within a family circle.
They are not meant to serve the entire spectrum of personal, discretionary, and non-discretionary affairs.
Those who need comprehensive estate-planning services should look for a full-fledged office suite consisting of a lawyer, accountant, and broker-dealer.
4. Key Roles of a Family Office (FO)
Trustee
- Discretionary trusts provide a unique framework wherein trustees can tailor distributions according to the circumstances and needs of the beneficiaries.
- This is precisely where a family office (FO) can play a pivotal role in the stewardship of such financial instruments.
- By acting as trustees, they can implement specific guidelines regarding when and how funds are disbursed, ensuring that beneficiaries do not have unfettered access until they demonstrate the capacity to manage such responsibilities wisely.
- The presence of a family office at the helm can aid in preserving and growing wealth across generations, allowing families to ensure that their legacy is carried forward with care and intent.
Investment Agent
- For families with substantial wealth, traditional financial brokers and financial advisers are often fall short in addressing their unique investment needs and goals.
- This is where a Family Office (FO) truly shines as an investment agent, stepping in to provide tailored solutions that align with highly individualized financial strategies.
- Equipped with a comprehensive understanding of the family’s values and goals, family offices function as a trusted partner, meticulously curating investment strategies that reflect both the family’s legacy and aspirations.
- By acting as dedicated investment agents, they not only bridge the gap between traditional finance and the family’s unique vision but also bring peace of mind in knowing that every investment decision is made with the family’s best interests at heart.
Directional Guidance
- When it comes to estate planning and management, the role of a family office extends well beyond mere financial oversight.
- While heirs are legally entitled to receive their inheritance upon the trust maker’s death, a family office plays a pivotal role in shaping how and when these funds are distributed. This discretion can act as a safeguard, ensuring that beneficiaries not only receive their inheritance but also grow into responsible stewards of their newfound wealth.
- By providing directional guidance, the family office becomes an essential partner in the journey of wealth management, ensuring that the family’s objectives are met while navigating the complexities of inheritance law and family dynamics.
- This holistic approach ultimately fosters an environment where future generations can thrive, making informed financial decisions while honouring the family’s heritage.
Business Owner Shielding
- High-net-worth families often find themselves in a unique position when it comes to managing their business assets and ensuring future generations are well-prepared to handle the complexities of entrepreneurship.
- This is where a Family Office (FO) comes into play, acting as a protective shield for these business owners while also laying the foundation for future success.
- One of the primary functions of a family office is to evaluate and vet potential entrepreneurs who may take over family-run businesses in the event of a trustee’s demise. Understanding that children, while often bright and capable, may not possess the acumen or experience necessary to successfully lead a business, family offices step in as critical advisors. They conduct thorough assessments to determine the skill sets and capabilities of these future stewards, ensuring that only the most qualified candidates are entrusted with the family’s legacy.
- This strategic vetting process not only helps ensure that the family business remains profitable and sustainably managed but also provides peace of mind for family members, knowing they have a robust plan to safeguard their assets.
- In essence, a family office does more than manage wealth; it acts as a guardian of the family’s entrepreneurial spirit, positioning them for continued success while providing critical shielding from potential threats that could jeopardize their hard-earned business legacy.
Families come in all shapes and sizes, just like family offices.
As such, there can be no template for FO structures since they are tailored to the priorities and facts of each family.
The creation of a FO usually takes place when a considerable amount of wealth has been created.
The nature and function of the family office are generally set out by its founder with a specific purpose in mind. The services of the family office (FO) can change over time, as the family grows in size or as the family’s needs change over generations.
The key function of the family office (FO) never changes – it is there to preserve the family’s wealth.
The best family office is the one that achieves the family’s objectives and visions.
When protecting your family, it’s vital to get the right advice. If you’re not sure whether you need to appoint a fund management company or MFO or even to set up your own SFO, speak to us over video consultation via Lawyer Anywhere. We can discuss your needs and recommend the best solution for you.