What Is a Multi-Family Office?

A multi-family office (MFO) is a private wealth management firm that serves multiple affluent families. These offices offer a centralized platform for managing wealth, investments, succession planning, and lifestyle needs—often delivering institutional-grade services with a personalized approach. Unlike a single-family office, which serves one ultra-wealthy family, an MFO spreads its infrastructure and expertise across several families, providing cost efficiencies and broader service capabilities.

Why Do Families Choose a Multi-Family Office?

High-net-worth families often seek more than just investment advice. As wealth grows, so does the complexity—cross-border holdings, philanthropy, family governance, and succession planning all become increasingly important.

Multi-family offices exist to meet these needs, making them especially attractive to families with:

- Net worths between $50M and $500M

- A need for privacy and control

- A desire to professionalize and institutionalize their wealth management without building an internal team from scratch

MFOs allow families to retain independence while gaining access to top-tier financial, legal, and operational experts.

A Brief History of Multi-Family Offices

The concept of the family office dates back centuries, with early examples like the Rockefeller family office in the late 1800s. As more families accumulated generational wealth throughout the 20th century, the demand for shared structures grew.

The modern multi-family office evolved from boutique advisory firms and private banks responding to this demand. Today, the MFO landscape includes a mix of:

- Boutique firms founded by former private bankers or wealth advisors

- Institutions offering family office services as an extension of their core business

- Independent MFOs that focus solely on servicing wealthy families

How Does a Multi-Family Office Work?

Multi-family offices can differ in structure and focus, but most provide services such as:

Investment Management

- Portfolio construction, manager selection, due diligence

Estate Planning

- Trust structuring, succession planning, tax strategy

Philanthropy

- Foundation setup, impact measurement, giving strategy

Administration

- Bill pay, expense management, reporting

Governance

- Family charters, education, meeting facilitation

Lifestyle Services

- Concierge services, real estate, security, travel

These services are offered via dedicated teams or outsourced networks, depending on the MFO's operating model.

Pros and Cons of a Multi-Family Office

Advantages:

- Shared cost structure makes high-quality services more affordable

- Institutional-grade access to investment opportunities

- Built-in expertise and fiduciary alignment

- Governance and succession support

Disadvantages:

- Less control than a single-family office

- Possible conflicts of interest across families served

- Potential for a less tailored experience depending on scale

Examples of Multi-Family Offices

Some well-known multi-family offices include:

- WE Family Offices (U.S.)

- Sandaire (UK)

- Lombard Odier (Switzerland)

Each has carved out a niche in terms of service model, client segment, or investment philosophy. For example, some MFOs focus on first-generation wealth creators, while others specialize in cross-border families or impact investing.

Comparison: Multi-Family Office vs Other Models

| Model | Key Feature | Typical Net Worth |

|-------|-------------|-------------------|

| Single-Family Office | Custom, fully in-house | $250M+ |

| Multi-Family Office | Shared resources, tailored service | $50M–$500M |

| Private Bank | Product-driven advisory | $1M–$100M |

| Virtual Family Office | Tech-enabled, fully outsourced | $10M–$100M |

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the minimum net worth to join a multi-family office?

Most MFOs have a minimum threshold of $25M–$50M in investable assets, though some boutique providers may offer tailored entry points.

How do MFOs charge fees?

Common fee models include flat retainers, percentage of assets under management (AUM), or service-based pricing.

Are MFOs regulated?

Many MFOs are registered investment advisors (RIAs) and are subject to financial regulations. However, the level of oversight can vary.

Related Resources

For more comprehensive information about multi-family offices, explore our detailed guide on [Multi-Family Office structures and benefits](/types/multi-family-office).

A multi-family office can be a powerful partner for wealthy families navigating the complexities of modern wealth. Whether you're exploring this model for the first time or looking to compare providers, understanding the structure, benefits, and trade-offs of an MFO is a key step in making an informed decision.