Estates & succession planning

Estate and succession planning involves more than deciding who should inherit. It requires consideration of how assets are owned, how your wishes may be implemented and how personal wealth and business interests should be dealt with in the future.

For individuals and families with connections to several jurisdictions, planning can be complex. Family members, businesses, property, investments and other assets may be subject to different legal, tax and succession considerations.

We advise individuals, families and family offices on estate and succession planning, helping them review their circumstances and consider arrangements for the future.

How we can help

We consider your family circumstances, assets, business interests, existing structures and longer-term objectives. Our advice can include:

  • Wills and succession planning
  • Reviewing existing wills and estate arrangements following life events
  • Succession planning for international assets
  • Planning the transfer of wealth between generations
  • Trusts, foundations and other wealth-holding structures
  • Succession planning for family businesses and privately owned companies
  • Succession arrangements for property and investment assets
  • Lifetime gifts and transfers of wealth
  • Planning for incapacity and future decision-making
  • Coordinating estate planning with family governance

Cross-border estates and succession

International families may have assets in several countries and family members living in different jurisdictions. The interaction between these circumstances can create gaps, conflicts or unintended consequences if arrangements are considered separately. Preparation and anticipation of life events is critical to ensure an actionable succession.

We help clients review how their existing arrangements fit together and identify issues that may need further consideration. Where advice under another jurisdiction’s laws is required, we work with the family’s existing advisers or appropriate local specialists.

Wills and estate planning

A will and wider estate planning should be considered in the context of how assets are owned, where they are located and the structures through which family wealth is held.

We advise on Wills and related estate planning arrangements, including reviews for individuals who have moved to the Middle East and need to consider whether arrangements made elsewhere remain appropriate.

Succession for family businesses

For families who own businesses, personal succession and business succession are often closely connected. Planning may involve questions about future ownership, control, leadership and how different family members’ interests should be considered.

We help families consider how ownership and control may pass between generations and how succession arrangements interact with the governance and ownership of the business. This work can form part of a wider family governance plan.

Estate administration

Administering an estate with assets in several jurisdictions can present legal and practical challenges for families and beneficiaries.

We support families, beneficiaries and other relevant parties with the legal aspects of estate administration, working with advisers in other jurisdictions where required. If a dispute arises in connection with an estate or succession arrangements, our private client and disputes teams can coordinate their support.