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ARTICLE · 15 JULY 2025

Establishing A Family Office: 5 Essential Tips For Getting Started

Fennemore Craig, P.C.
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For high-net-worth individuals and families, a family office is more than a wealth management structure—it is a strategic vehicle to preserve, grow, and protect generational wealth.

United StatesWealth Management
Edward D. “Ted” White
Edward D. “Ted” White

For high-net-worth individuals and families, a family office is more than a wealth management structure—it is a strategic vehicle to preserve, grow, and protect generational wealth. But to succeed, it must be built to last. That means thinking not just about investment returns, but about continuity. Whether you're a first-generation wealth creator or a multi-generational family steward, launching a family office requires disciplined planning, expert guidance, and a clear intergenerational vision. Here are five foundational tips to help you get started:

1. Define Your Purpose and Long-Term Vision

Before structuring your family office, clarify why you're creating one. Is the focus investment management, philanthropic giving, succession planning, or all the above? Your purpose will shape your office's structure, staffing, governance, and services. Succession planning should begin at this stage. Conducting a family governance session to align stakeholders on mission,

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