When mortality meets money, even the best-laid plans tend to crumble.

Setting up a family office isn't just about hiring the right people or managing assets—it starts way before that. Who actually qualifies as "family"? That seemingly simple question becomes a legal and emotional minefield when generational wealth is at stake.

The foundation matters more than most realize. You're not just building an investment vehicle; you're creating a governance structure that needs to outlast personalities, disputes, and shifting family dynamics. The staffing piece? That comes after you've nailed down the philosophy and boundaries.

Think about succession before you think about returns. Define decision-making power before you allocate capital. And for the love of compounding interest, get the legal framework right from day one—because nothing burns through family wealth faster than ambiguous structures and unclear authority.

Whether you're managing crypto holdings, traditional assets, or a hybrid portfolio, the principles remain brutally consistent: clarity beats complexity, and structure saves relationships.