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Guide

Multi-Family Office & Succession

A Multi-Family Office is a firm that guides wealthy families across generations in every aspect of their wealth. It does more than manage investments: it coordinates a family's entire wealth structure, including investment strategy, succession, liquidity and the interplay of different banks and advisors. It looks at the family's wealth across individual banks and over the long term.

The essentials

A Multi-Family Office serves several families under one roof and consolidates their wealth across all banks and asset classes, without acting as a custodian bank itself.
It works for the family: it selects banks and solutions, negotiates terms and keeps the overall structure in view.
Switzerland's revised succession law has applied since 1 January 2023: the compulsory portion for descendants was reduced from three quarters to one half of the statutory share, and the compulsory portion for parents was abolished (art. 470 et seq. Swiss Civil Code). This widens the scope for arranging a succession.
Inheritance tax in Switzerland is set at cantonal level. Spouses and registered partners are exempt in every canton, and direct descendants in most. The tax consequences depend on the canton and on individual circumstances and may change.

Sources: CC Art. 471 (fedlex)

Frequently asked questions about Multi-Family Office & Succession

01 What is a Multi-Family Office?

A Multi-Family Office is a firm that guides several wealthy families in every aspect of their wealth. It coordinates investment strategy, succession, liquidity and the interplay of a family's banks. Unlike a bank, it does not hold client assets in custody itself but works with the banks where the family keeps its assets.

02 What distinguishes a Multi-Family Office from a private bank?

A private bank holds the custody account and offers its own investment products. A Multi-Family Office holds no custody account itself and stands on the family's side: it selects banks, coordinates several banking relationships and keeps the entire wealth structure in view. The two models often complement each other, as the Multi-Family Office works with banks rather than against them.

03 How early should you arrange your wealth succession?

A succession is best arranged while there is enough time for a well-considered structure. Wills, succession agreements and gifts work together and should fit the family situation and the wealth involved. A Multi-Family Office coordinates this process with lawyers and tax advisors. Succession law and tax consequences depend on individual circumstances and may change.

04 Does a Multi-Family Office guide several generations of a family?

Yes, this is one of its central tasks. Generational planning links the goals of today's wealth holders with those of the next generation. The Multi-Family Office supports handovers, prepares younger family members for their responsibilities and ensures that investment strategy and structure stay consistent across the generations.