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Succession Planning

Providing expert advice on how best to pass assets on to the next generation is a cornerstone of the work we do with our individual and family clients. We understand that every situation is different, and we take pride in ensuring that the advice we give is bespoke to the specific needs of you and your family.

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One of our families of clients has chosen us for over 270 years and across seven generations – we’re confident that we can provide you with the same exceptional service. Our succession planning solicitors help you address complex questions with a combination of empathy and pragmatism, enabling you to identify your immediate priorities and plan for long-term goals.

We recognise the value in providing legal advice clearly and concisely, and we’ll make sure you understand all of the suggestions that we share with you.

It can be tricky to decide who should inherit what, especially if you have more than one relative to consider. You’ll want to plan whether or not the assets should be split equally between, for instance, all the children, or if taking the family business on is the right course for just one of them. We then can help you to decide how best to plan for their financial futures.

After discussing your personal needs, requirements, family and business situation, we’ll lay out various options so you can choose what the best solution is for you and your loved ones. We have a real depth of knowledge in understanding the issues faced by families looking at how best to progress a business or safeguard assets, and we’ll help you create a structured succession plan that fits the best interests of you and your family.

With the law of succession in Scotland currently undergoing review, we also keep a close eye on how any potential changes could impact our clients as they plan for their families’ futures, and we’ll factor any updates into our suggestions for you.

We understand that assets take many forms, and we work with an outstanding and varied client base of entrepreneurs and family businesses, farmers and landowners, owners of heritage property and other high net worth individuals in Scotland and beyond.

With accredited specialists in trust law, charity law and private client tax, solicitors dual qualified in Scotland and in England and Wales, Chartered Tax Advisors and the support of our Anderson Strathern Asset Management arm, we can ensure that you’ll receive a tailored and complete service.

Speak to our succession planning solicitors today

To discuss a succession planning matter with a member of our expert team, please get in touch today.

Contact us on 0131 270 7700, visit our offices in Edinburgh, Glasgow, East Lothian or Shetland, or fill in our enquiry form at the bottom of the page to request a call back.

Our succession planning expertise

Family business planning

Our succession planning solicitors in Scotland recognise the importance of ensuring that your family business is accounted for and that it will be passed on exactly as you wish.

There are a number of specific challenges and priorities that need to be taken into consideration when it comes to family business succession planning, with different types of business requiring specifically tailored advice.

We can sit down with you to discuss the structure of your family business, what your intentions are and set out a clear plan to ensure that every detail is taken care of. This will include taking stock of tax efficient structures, exit planning and retirement to set out a clear approach.

Agricultural succession planning

Our succession planning solicitors have substantial experience in supporting farmers and landowners with succession planning for agricultural businesses and estates.

Careful planning will help to ensure that your agricultural assets are well protected and that your family are provided for no matter what may happen in the future.

Our team can advise you on various issues that are specific to agricultural property and farms, including issues with Agricultural Relief and gifts of agricultural property.

International succession planning

If you have assets or investments in other countries, you will be affected by international tax law. This can make the process of succession planning more difficult, especially as various regimes, regulations, and cultural issues may need to be taken into consideration.

Our succession planning solicitors in Scotland will work alongside you, guiding you through the various potential tax relief opportunities that may be available, while also ensuring that you remain fully legally compliant at all times.

We can also advise you on complex and cross border Wills and how the creation of Wills in specific jurisdictions may affect your succession planning goals.

Tax planning

When making succession plans, it’s crucial that you understand exactly how to take the best advantage of tax rules and advantages. Doing so will ensure you maximise the value of your estate, allowing you to put aside as much money as possible for your family and beneficiaries.

Our succession planning solicitors’ work includes maximising tax relief schemes such as agricultural property relief, business property relief or entrepreneurs’ relief, as well as advising on specific HMRC enquiries and tax-efficient investments.

To find out more about our tax planning expertise, click here.

Making or amending a Will

Creating a Will from scratch, or amending an existing Will, is one of the best ways of ensuring that you pass on your estate and assets exactly as you wish.

We have dedicated Wills experts among our team who can work with you to create a Will that accurately reflects your personal circumstances and what you would like to achieve.

It is important to note that there are several differences to the process of making a Will in Scotland compared to England and Wales, which is where our team’s expertise can prove to be invaluable.

With our guidance and practical support, you can also be sure that any Will you sign will continue to be legally valid when it’s being executed, meaning that the potential for disputes between your loved ones can be significantly reduced.

To find out more about our Will writing services, click here.

Why choose our succession planning solicitors?

Our succession planning solicitors in Scotland have substantial experience and expertise in a wide range of succession planning matters, having previously supported clients from all walks of life to put tailored strategies in place.

Our expert succession planning solicitors have various professional memberships, exhibiting their expertise. This includes the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) and the STEP Advanced Certificate in Family Business Advising. We also have substantial expertise in tax matters, with members of our team being Chartered Tax Advisers, Law Society of Scotland accredited specialists in tax law and members of the Law Society of Scotland’s tax committee.

We also have substantial expertise with various lifetime planning matters, including making a Will, executing a Will and powers of attorney. To find out more about our experience with these matters, please click here.

Speak to our succession planning solicitors today

To discuss a succession planning matter with a member of our expert team, please get in touch today.

Contact us on 0131 270 7700, visit our offices in Edinburgh, Glasgow, East Lothian or Shetland, or fill in our enquiry form at the bottom of the page to request a call back.

"Having outsourced work on several occasions to the team at Anderson Strathern, I have found their level of client care and attention to detail quite exceptional. This high-level service has been confirmed continuously by way of extremely positive feedback from clients of our firm."

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