From Theory to Practice: A 3-Level Framework for Scalable Legacy Work
Everyone’s talking about legacy work—sometimes called family dynamics or family governance (though we don’t love those terms).
We’ve worked with firms of every size, serving clients across the wealth spectrum, and we’ve seen the confusion firsthand. So we built a three-level framework that’s simple, practical, and designed to help firms and families make legacy work scalable.
The 3 Levels of Scalable Legacy Work
Level One: Led by the Client
Level Two: Led by the Advisor
Level Three: Led by a Consultant or Internal Expert
This framework meets families where they are — starting small and growing naturally over time.
Level One: Client-Led Legacy Work
Level one includes the legacy work families are willing to do on their own.
We’ve seen clients read Jay Hughes, write their own guiding principles, define shared values, or even hold informal family meetings themselves. It doesn’t require a six-day retreat or a 40-page family constitution. It takes one small first step—and that step builds momentum. Think of it like getting in shape or breaking a bad habit: momentum matters.
The key to level one is that advisors shouldn’t have to carry the workload. And when clients show a willingness to engage here, they’re signaling readiness for deeper work.
A level one win might be:
A client capturing milestones of their family history in writing
Completing a values exercise inside FamilyOS
Drafting a short personal or shared vision statement
But clarity matters.
We’ve seen how much confusion comes from a lack of shared language in this space.
One firm uses “mission.” Another uses “vision.” Someone else uses “purpose.” If every deliverable looks different, advisors can’t integrate them.
That’s why at Total Family, we define Vision as Values, Purpose, and Roles—and we’ve built tools and resources to make that definition consistent across clients and firms..
That consistency is what makes level two possible.
Level Two: Advisor-Led Integration
Level two is where the advisor comes in. This is about integration, not reinvention.
Advisors don’t need to lead the level one work, but they should understand what’s coming out of it.
They should feel confident discussing:
What their client’s values mean in practice
The roles each person plays in the family
How the client wants their legacy carried forward
Integration looks different at every firm:
Some offer annual family meetings to top-tier clients
Others host group workshops
Some simply include legacy conversations as part of quarterly reviews
There’s no single right approach.
But there is such a thing as zero integration — and that happens when no one brings it up.
A level two win might be:
An advisor facilitating a short values check-in during a review meeting
The Great Wealth Transfer has already begun.
Firms can continue to sit and wait, but eventually, it will be too late. The advisors who start today will be the ones who retain the trust of multi-generational families.
The good news: this doesn’t require hiring new staff or expensive consultants. It starts with deciding which client segments get which experiences, and then sticking to it.
Integration at level two is an exercise in advisor growth and change management. The job to be done of the advisor is changing.
Level Three: Expert-Led Facilitation
Level three is what most people picture when they hear “legacy work.”
It involves family wealth consultants, legacy experts, and family dynamics professionals.
This is deep, powerful work — but it’s not the starting line. And it’s not for every family.
Why talk to a client about level three when they won’t yet invest 15 minutes to engage at level one?
A level three win might be:
A family engaging in a multi-day legacy retreat with their family office or consultant
But that’s where a small number of families end up — not where they begin.
That’s the reason Total Family’s advisor license allows for unlimited client enrollments. Let the clients self-select. They’ll show you if they’re ready.
Bringing It All Together
This 3-level framework organizes what we’re seeing from firms across the country.
Families are interested.
Advisors are curious.
But the industry still hasn’t made legacy work practical or scalable.
Let’s change that — together.
