How to compare family offices

Write down the decisions

List the work you need help with: investment oversight, a business sale, trust coordination, cash planning, or family reporting. Separate recurring responsibilities from a one-time project. Bring a short description of the unresolved decisions to each conversation so the proposals address the same needs.

Compare who does the work

A single-family office serves one family; a multi-family office shares an organization across families. Actual services and structures vary.⁶ Ask for the names and responsibilities of the people who would work with you. For each task, record whether it is delivered internally, coordinated with your existing professionals, or excluded.

Ask for a complete fee illustration

Request a dollar illustration using the assets the firm would actually advise. Identify minimums, investment expenses, separately billed projects, and outside legal or accounting costs. Investor.gov explains that advisory and investment fees can take several forms.² Our calculator is simple arithmetic for comparing your own assumptions; it does not reproduce any particular firm’s contract.

Verify before deciding

Review the professional’s registration and disciplinary information, then discuss any questions directly. Investor.gov provides a starting point for background checks.³ Ask to see the relevant disclosures and engagement agreement. Confirm who has authority over investment decisions and what happens if the lead professional leaves.

Use an ordinary week as the test

Ask the team to walk through a realistic week: a tax question arrives, a distribution is requested, and a family member wants an update. Who receives each request? Who decides? Who follows up? A clear answer helps you evaluate the operating relationship before committing. You do not need to share account numbers to have this first conversation.

Sources & further reading

Source pages reviewed September 2026. Worksheets use your inputs, not tax rates or provider quotes.