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For many family offices, managing a large estate is often compared to running a mid-sized business. However, unlike a business, the estate is a private household, and the employees are involved in the most personal aspects of a family’s life.<\/p>\n
When calculating the total cost of staffing an estate, it is easy to focus solely on base salaries. In reality, the true cost of a professional household involves a complex web of payroll taxes, specialized insurance, and human resources infrastructure.<\/p>\n
For a family office, getting this right is crucial to risk mitigation and operational continuity.<\/p>\n
Every functional estate requires a core team to maintain the property and support the family\u2019s daily needs. In 2026, compensation for these roles<\/a> reflects the high level of discretion and expertise required:<\/p>\n As an estate grows in complexity or the family\u2019s lifestyle becomes more complex, additional roles become essential:<\/p>\n The largest “hidden” costs in estate staffing aren’t the salaries themselves, but the liabilities of improper management.<\/p>\n Classifying household staff as “independent contractors” is a common and costly mistake. Paying “off the books” or via a 1099 leaves the estate vulnerable to back taxes, hefty penalties, wage-and-hour lawsuits, and audits. The employers\u2019 share of payroll taxes is 7.65% of the employee\u2019s gross pay for Social Security and Medicare taxes<\/a>. Unemployment taxes are mandatory at both federal and state levels but vary in price from state to state. You can expect to add several hundred dollars a year for each employee. Proper W-2 payroll<\/a> ensures that all of these requirements are handled correctly, protecting the family\u2019s reputation and financial standing.<\/p>\n Domestic employment is unique because the workplace is a home. This makes clear boundaries essential. An HR framework, including employee handbooks, non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), and performance reviews, reduces the risk of job creep<\/a> and provides a clear protocol for conflict resolution and termination. HR consulting prices<\/a> can vary based on each estate\u2019s needs, but can typically run several hundred dollars a week for a few hours of HR work.<\/p>\n A standard homeowners policy is rarely enough for a fully staffed estate. You must account for:<\/p>\n At GTM, we partner with family offices to provide a comprehensive solution for payroll, HR, and insurance tailored specifically for high-net-worth households. By integrating legal payroll with expert HR guidance and specialized insurance coverage, we enable family offices to focus on wealth management while ensuring the business of the home is compliant, secure, and professionally managed. To speak with a household employment expert today, call\u00a0(800) 929-9213<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0schedule a time with us at your convenience<\/a>.<\/p>\n Get our complimentary guide and learn everything you need to know about paying your employees legally and filing your taxes the right way.\n
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Elevating the Estate: High-End & Specialized Roles<\/h2>\n
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The Critical Infrastructure: Why “Legal” is Non-Negotiable<\/h2>\n
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Partnering for Peace of Mind<\/h2>\n
Download The Complete Guide to Household Payroll<\/h2>\n
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