When to Bring in Experts: What Level Three Is and What It Isn’t

As families deepen their legacy work, some reach a point where expert guidance makes sense. That’s where Level Three of our 3-Level Legacy Framework comes in—a stage built for families ready for specialized support from consultants, facilitators, and family wealth professionals.

Not every family needs a family wealth consultant, and it’s certainly not the first step.

When we talk about level three, we’re referring to the family wealth consultants, internal specialists, authors, facilitators, coaches, and deep legacy professionals that many people think of when they hear the term legacy work or family governance.

This is important work. It can be transformative for the right families.
But it’s not where the journey begins.

Why Not Every Family Is Ready for Level Three

We’ve seen too many advisors jump straight into the most complex version of legacy work, only to discover that clients aren’t ready.

The groundwork hasn’t been laid. The family hasn’t taken their first step. And the conversation ends before it truly begins.

If you’ve never gone for a run before, you’re far more likely to succeed starting with a 5K than with an ultra-marathon.

Legacy work follows the same principle.

What Level Three Really Means

Level three is for families who are prequalified . They have already demonstrated a willingness to invest time and reflection.

They’ve defined their vision.
They’ve written a legacy letter.
They’ve had meaningful conversations with their advisor.
They want to involve their children.

They’ve made this work a priority and are ready to bring in reinforcements.

A level three engagement might look like:

• A family participating in a three-day legacy retreat with their family office

• A Family Wealth Advisor facilitating a values session for a family foundation

• An internal family education expert helping to create a family constitution

This kind of work is deep, thoughtful, and highly specialized. It’s not built for scale. It’s high-touch, and it’s expensive.

Knowing When Level Three Is Appropriate

Not every family wants this level of engagement. Not every family needs it.

If a client isn’t willing to spend 15 minutes reflecting on their own, they probably aren’t ready for a six-month engagement with a legacy consultant.

That’s why Total Family gives advisors unlimited client access to level one tools.
Let families show you when they’re ready. Let them opt in.

The families who take initiative are the ones worth focusing on.

Level Three Isn’t Reserved for the Elite

Level three isn’t about exclusivity. It’s not just for ultra-high-net-worth families.

It’s for families who have shown they want to be part of the process. They have demonstrated commitment, curiosity, and care.

When those families are ready, expert facilitation can help them go further than they ever could alone.