Legal Advice for Family Businesses
As a full-service law firm with a strong focus on private client matters, we offer comprehensive legal support to family business owners throughout every stage of their journey. Whether you are establishing a new venture, seeking guidance on managing business and family wealth, or preparing for succession or a future exit, our experienced team provides bespoke advice tailored to your unique circumstances.
We are trusted by a wide range of family business clients, assisting with both active trading enterprises and passive investments in property or other businesses. Our aim is to deliver clear, strategic legal solutions that protect your interests and support the long-term success and continuity of your family enterprise.
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Our team gives clear, strategic legal solutions that protect your interests and support the long-term success and continuity of your family enterprise. We are commitment to delivering a first-rate, personalised and responsive service to our clients.
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Why Choose Payne Hicks Beach?
Once the entity is established, we provide ongoing support including:
- Acting as a trustee, company director and/or company secretary;
- Administering trusts and companies to ensure they are legally and tax compliant;
- Advising on optimum tax and estate planning structuring for your family and working with you on long term succession planning (notably the involvement of next generations);
- Making, administering and exiting investments;
- Providing oversight of the business including:
- liaising with investment advisors and carrying out related tax reporting;
- overseeing and administering family wealth; and
- coordinating third party advice, for example international legal and accountancy advice.
Once the entity is established, we provide ongoing support including:
- Acting as a trustee, company director and/or company secretary;
- Administering trusts and companies to ensure they are legally and tax compliant;
- Advising on optimum tax and estate planning structuring for your family and working with you on long term succession planning (notably the involvement of next generations);
- Making, administering and exiting investments;
- Providing oversight of the business including:
- liaising with investment advisors and carrying out related tax reporting;
- overseeing and administering family wealth; and
- coordinating third party advice, for example international legal and accountancy advice.
The sale of a business is often a key part of a business founder’s long term aim and is a major event in a business’ life cycle. Planning for an exit starts well before a purchaser is found and brings with it a host of issues which may not have previously been considered. Our work with shareholders incudes:
- Advising on the structuring options available prior to exit, including tax and succession planning optimisation for shareholders;
- Establishing trusts to hold sale proceeds;
- Preparing the business for sale; and
- Negotiating and advising on the terms of the sale and the sale documentation.
"Max Baird-Smith stands out for his razor-sharp intellect, vast experience, and deal-friendly approach, as well as his considerable charm and good humour."
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Articles
23 February 2026
The Spear’s 500 2026 has been published. The latest edition sees Payne Hicks Beach lawyers included in this indispensable pri…
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How Do I Create a Succession Plan for a Family Business?
25 May 2023
Partner in our Private Client Team Frederick Bjørn gives invaluable advice for wealthy families looking to create a successio…
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How Do I Pass My Business To My Family In A Tax Efficient Way?
10 August 2022
Succession, estate planning and wealth preservation are key concerns for family businesses, particularly when a sale or other…
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