As Global Risks Rise, Multi-Jurisdiction Family Offices Move from Exception to Standard

The Financial Times has reported that the current geopolitical turmoil is prompting wealthy families to establish more family office branches across different jurisdictions. According to J.P. Morgan’s Global Family Office Report 2026, a striking 74% of family offices outside the US consider geopolitics a top-five investment risk, compared to just 57% in the US.

This shift signals a change in operations. Family offices are no longer viewing jurisdiction as merely an administrative decision; instead, they’re recognizing it as a significant risk factor, alongside asset allocation, exposure to sanctions, and the stability of tax regimes.

This trend extends beyond just a single news cycle. Deloitte’s 2024 survey revealed that 28% of family offices already operate multiple branches, with 12% planning to open new ones. The same survey indicates that there are over 8,000 single family offices worldwide in 2024, managing a whopping $ 3.1 trillion, and this number is expected to rise to nearly 11,000 and $ 5.4 trillion by 2030. The FT also highlights changes in the UK’s non-dom status, expanding sanctions, and the growth of hubs like Singapore and the Gulf.

For those allocating investments, the idea of "simplicity" is no longer the go-to model.

Instead, resilience is being fostered through legal, banking, and governance redundancies.

Cross-border flexibility is beginning to resemble a well-structured portfolio.

If multi-jurisdictional structuring becomes the norm, what will be the first thing to be repriced?