Securing Your Legacy and Preserving Business Value
Succession planning isn’t just about retirement or death; it’s about ensuring your business, property, or family legacy transitions smoothly to the next generation or key stakeholders, without conflict or confusion.
At Enterprise Legal, we bring together our full suite of Business Law and Property Law expertise to deliver succession strategies that are practical, legally sound, and commercially effective. Whether you’re a business owner preparing for exit, a family running a multi-generational operation, or someone wanting to transfer assets strategically, we help you plan clearly and confidently.
We work alongside your accountant or financial adviser to ensure your structure, documentation, and transition timing are tax-effective and legally compliant. And wherever possible, we offer fixed or capped fees, giving you peace of mind throughout the process.
What Does Succession Planning Involve?
Succession planning is about preparing for change in ownership, leadership, or control. It often involves:
- Entity structuring or amendments, to ensure flexibility and tax-efficiency in future transfers
- Shareholder or buy/sell agreements, setting clear terms for exiting, retiring, or transitioning owners
- Trust and governance documents, ensuring trustees and directors are correctly appointed and succession mechanisms are embedded
- Family or related-party transfers, including duty and CGT-efficient transfers of business or property assets
- Alignment with estate planning, ensuring your business and property plans are consistent with your will and powers of attorney
At its best, a succession plan reduces risk, improves certainty, and ensures your wishes are honoured, even during unexpected events.
How We Help
Strategic Review & Planning
We begin by understanding your assets, business structure, family dynamics and long-term goals. We then create a tailored succession roadmap — whether that’s handing the reins to a child, selling internally, or retaining ownership but stepping back operationally.
Legal Documentation
We draft and implement all legal documents needed to give effect to your plan, including:
- Shareholder agreements with defined exit terms
- Related party transfer documents
- Deeds of appointment and retirement (for trustees or directors)
- Buy/sell agreements and funding provisions
- Succession clauses in trust deeds and constitutions
- Powers of attorney and aligned estate planning documents
Seamless Integration with Business and Property Law
Because Enterprise Legal provides market-leading services across Business Law, Property Law, and Dispute Resolution, we offer a seamless succession experience. From entity creation and share transfers, through to property ownership restructuring and ongoing governance.
Dispute-Resistant Structuring
We include mechanisms for valuation, mediation, dispute resolution and tie-breakers, helping you future-proof your plan against personal conflict, divorce, disability, or disagreement.
Related Legal Services
If you’re considering or implementing a succession plan, you may also benefit from our expertise in these key areas:
- Structuring & Entity Advice/Creation: Ensure your business or investment structure supports future transitions and asset protection
- Share Purchases and Share Sales: Facilitate internal ownership transfers or staged business exits
- Related Party Transfers: Handle asset transfers between family members or connected entities with compliance and care
- Wills & Estates: Align your business succession plans with your personal estate planning to ensure consistency and clarity
Speak With Our Team
Succession Planning FAQs
Want to ensure your business or family assets are protected for the next generation?
Book a consultation with our succession planning lawyers today and take control of your future with practical, commercial legal advice.
