Strategic Architecture for Family Offices
For families with substantial intergenerational wealth (typically exceeding $50 million), managing assets across multiple branches, entities, and trusts requires an institutional approach to governance, tax, and investment management. A dedicated family office provides the centralized structure necessary to manage these complexities, protect family interests, and prepare the next generation for wealth stewardship. At Executive Advisors, our Family Office desk provides comprehensive setup, structuring, and ongoing advisory from our head office in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane.
We work as independent advisors to design Single-Family Offices (SFO), Multi-Family Offices (MFO), and Private Trust Companies (PTC). We do not provide investment management directly, ensuring our advisory services remain objective and focused solely on establishing the governance, legal, and tax structures that support your family's long-term capital preservation goals.
"A family office is more than an investment vehicle; it is a governance system. By defining clear operational rules, legal structures, and educational pathways for the next generation, we protect family capital from structural and relational risks."
Core Disciplines in Family Office Advisory
We guide UHNW families through the strategic steps of family office setup, investment governance, and intergenerational succession.
1. Private Trust Companies (PTCs) & Legal Structuring
Appointing individual family members or commercial trustee companies to manage complex family trusts introduces significant liability and control risks. We design and register Private Trust Companies (PTCs). A PTC acts as the dedicated corporate trustee for your family trusts, keeping control within the family while protecting directors and providing structural continuity.
2. Family Governance & Constitutions
Conflicts between family members represent the greatest threat to wealth preservation. We facilitate the drafting of customized Family Constitutions. These documents define the family's values, establish rules for distributing wealth, outline qualifications for family members entering the business, and create clear dispute resolution mechanisms.
3. Global Asset Allocation & Co-Investment Governance
Family offices require sophisticated asset allocation to access direct real estate, private equity, venture capital, and co-investment opportunities. We help you draft comprehensive Investment Policy Statements (IPS), set up independent investment committees, and establish reporting systems to monitor external fund managers.
4. Philanthropic Foundations & Structured Giving
Integrating philanthropic goals with tax planning is a core objective for UHNW families. We establish and manage Private Ancillary Funds (PAFs). A PAF provides a structured, tax-effective vehicle for family giving, allowing tax deductions on contributions while investment earnings remain exempt from tax inside the foundation.
The Family Office Setup Lifecycle
We guide families through a structured, four-phase setup process designed to transition assets into a highly compliant family office structure.
Strategic Review & Charter Design
We conduct in-depth interviews with family members to define long-term goals, family values, and liquidity needs. We draft the initial family charter defining the office scope.
Legal & Tax Architecture Setup
Our tax and legal team incorporates the Private Trust Company (PTC), designs new trust deeds, structures asset holdings, and establishes tax-effective investment vehicles.
Operational Setup & System Launch
We set up the family office operations, implement accounting and reporting systems, hire key executive staff, and establish the investment committee protocols.
Governance & Next-Gen Education
We launch the family council, initiate educational programs for younger family members, conduct quarterly asset reviews, and adjust the family plan for tax and legal changes.
Family Office Model Comparison
Selecting the right family office model depends on your total investable assets, operational control requirements, and setup budget.
| Family Office Model | Target Asset Threshold | Annual Operating Cost | Level of Family Control | Key Strategic Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single-Family Office (SFO) | A$100 Million + | 1.0% to 2.0% of assets under management. | Absolute (dedicated staff focus solely on one family). | Highly customized services; complete privacy; absolute control over assets. |
| Multi-Family Office (MFO) | A$20 Million + | 0.5% to 1.0% of assets under management. | Shared (services split across multiple families). | Access to shared infrastructure; lower operating costs; co-investment access. |
| Virtual Family Office (VFO) | A$10 Million + | Based on project-based advisory fees. | High (family coordinates outsourced expert providers). | Lowest operating overhead; highly flexible; access to top external advisors. |
| Private Trust Company (PTC) | A$30 Million + | Flat annual corporate registry and secretary fees. | High (family directors govern the trustee board). | Isolates trustee liabilities; simplifies trustee succession across trusts. |