Ownership Structure
Ownership structure describes how a family’s assets and decision vehicles are organized across entities like trusts, companies, and foundations.
Definition
Definition Ownership structure refers to how assets, operating companies, and investment vehicles are held and controlled across legal entities. For family offices, this often includes layers such as trusts, holding companies, foundations, and investment entities—each serving a role in governance, risk containment, succession, and operational management. Context A family office is rarely “one entity.” It is usually an operating function that coordinates across multiple entities. Some structures are designed to centralize control; others intentionally separate control and benefit across generations. This complexity impacts how data should be represented: a database that lists only one entity without structure context risks misrepresenting the family’s real operating footprint. Why It Matters Ownership structure affects decision authority, liquidity reality, and reputational sensitivity. From a data standpoint, it determines whether entity resolution works and whether you can correctly interpret relationships. From an outreach standpoint, it helps you engage the right node without assuming the wrong model. Key Takeaways Family wealth is commonly held across multiple entities Structure shapes control and governance Critical for accurate data representation Improves routing and reduces misclassification