Single-Family Office (SFO)

A Single-Family Office (SFO) represents the ultimate in personalized wealth management, serving exclusively one ultra-wealthy family with dedicated staff, infrastructure, and services.

Key Characteristics

Full Control & Customization

- Complete autonomy over investment decisions and strategy

- Tailored reporting and governance structures

- Customized legal and tax planning approaches

- Bespoke lifestyle and concierge services

Dedicated Infrastructure

- Private office space and facilities

- Full-time professional staff (CIO, CFO, legal counsel, administrators)

- Proprietary technology and reporting systems

- Direct relationships with service providers

Comprehensive Services

- Investment management and portfolio oversight

- Family governance and next-generation education

- Tax planning and compliance coordination

- Estate planning and wealth transfer strategies

- Lifestyle management and concierge services

- Philanthropic advisory and foundation management

Ideal For

Asset Threshold: Typically requires $100M+ in assets under management

Family Profile: Families seeking maximum control, privacy, and customization

Complexity: High-net-worth families with complex structures and multiple entities

Cost Structure

Annual operating costs typically range from $2-5M+ depending on:

- Staff size and expertise level

- Geographic scope and office locations

- Service breadth and customization level

- Technology and infrastructure investments

Advantages

- Maximum Control: Complete decision-making authority

- Privacy: Highest level of confidentiality

- Customization: Services tailored to family-specific needs

- Direct Access: Immediate access to dedicated professionals

- Alignment: Staff focused solely on one family's interests

Considerations

- High Cost: Significant annual operating expenses

- Management Overhead: Requires active family involvement

- Scale Requirements: Need sufficient assets to justify costs

- Succession Planning: Must plan for leadership transitions