About Us
We work with families who've built something real. Generational wealth, businesses, properties spread across continents. The money part? That's actually the easy bit. The hard part is keeping a family aligned when there's serious money involved. That's where we come in. For 11 years, we've helped families in Portugal and beyond create governance structures that actually stick. Not fancy frameworks that gather dust. Real systems that give families clarity, reduce conflict, and let the next generation step into their inheritance without stepping on each other.
Over time, we’ve built a reputation for reliability, quality, and clear communication. We treat each project as a partnership and aim for outcomes that last.
Meet Our Team
The people behind Cornerstone Private Wealth
João Silva
Founder & Principal Advisor
Started in private banking 17 years ago. Got frustrated watching families argue. Built Cornerstone to solve that. Still does the complex cases personally. Speaks Portuguese, English, and French fluently.
Matilde Ribeiro
Family Governance Specialist
13 years in family office operations. Worked with 34 families across Europe. Expert in succession planning and conflict resolution. Has watched what works and what doesn't. Doesn't pull punches.
Thomas Meyer
Wealth Structure Architect
Swiss-trained, Porto-based. Designs the actual legal and financial frameworks. Can work across 6 jurisdictions without breaking a sweat. Obsessed with making complex structures understandable.
We’re a team that values ownership, clarity, and growth. We celebrate wins, learn fast, and keep client outcomes at the center.
Why Choose Us
Experienced Team
Our professionals have decades of combined experience. We've seen it all and know how to handle any challenge.
Quality Guaranteed
We stand behind our work with comprehensive guarantees. If you're not satisfied, we'll make it right.
Fair Pricing
Transparent, competitive pricing with no hidden fees. You'll always know exactly what you're paying for.
Proven Results
Thousands of satisfied customers and a track record of successful projects speak for themselves.
Our Story
Cornerstone Private Wealth started because our founder watched too many families crumble over money disputes. Smart families. Hardworking families. But they had no roadmap. So we built one. What began as advisory work for 8 clients evolved into a full practice. Today we work across multiple countries, but our approach hasn't changed—we listen first, we structure second. The business moved to Porto in 2019 because that's where the interesting family offices are building something new. And frankly? It's home.
Our Core Values
The principles that guide everything we do
Discretion Above All
Your family business isn't our story to tell. We keep our mouths shut. That's non-negotiable. You won't find us name-dropping clients or posting case studies on LinkedIn.
Clarity Over Complexity
We've seen 200-page governance documents that nobody reads. We write 15-page documents that actually get used. If we can't explain it simply, we haven't understood it well enough.
Independence Matters
We don't sell products. We don't push you toward any particular investment or structure because it benefits us. Our incentive is your family working better together. That's it.
Multigenerational Thinking
We plan for people not yet born. Today's decision affects your great-grandchildren. We think in 50-year horizons, not quarterly ones.