What a Family Office Is - and Is Not

A family office is not defined by its size, assets under management, or investment sophistication. At its core, a family office is a decision system designed to steward family capital across generations.

It exists to coordinate ownership, governance, investments, and risk — not simply to manage money.

A family office is:

• A centralized structure for managing financial and non-financial family affairs
• A governance platform that separates ownership from execution
• A long-term steward aligned with family objectives, values, and time horizons

Its scope often includes investments, reporting, tax coordination, estate planning, risk management, and family governance — but its defining feature is integration, not services.

A family office is not:

• A private bank replacement
• A portfolio of disconnected advisors
• A vehicle for speculative or opportunistic investing
• A lifestyle or concierge service

Confusing a family office with an investment fund or advisory firm often leads to misaligned incentives and structural fragility.

The Core Distinction

The key distinction is control and coordination.
A family office exists to help families remain intentional owners — not passive clients.