Business & Estate Succession

Succession Planning Solicitors

Specialist advice on passing on your estate, business, or wealth to the next generation — in a way that reflects your wishes, minimises tax, and protects the people and things you care about.

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What Is Succession Planning?

Succession planning is the process of planning for the transfer of your estate, business, or wealth to the next generation. It is not just about making a will — it involves a coordinated strategy that may include trusts, lifetime gifting, business restructuring, and inheritance tax planning.

For business owners, succession planning is particularly important. Without a plan, the death or incapacity of a key person can disrupt or destroy a business that has taken a lifetime to build. A well-structured succession plan ensures the business can continue, that ownership passes to the right people, and that the tax position is managed.

At PDA Law, our private client team — led by STEP-qualified specialists — advises business owners, farmers, high-net-worth individuals, and families on all aspects of succession planning. We take the time to understand your circumstances and objectives before recommending a strategy.

Who We Help

Business owners
Farmers and rural landowners
High-net-worth individuals
Families with complex estates
Landlords and property investors
Those approaching retirement

STEP Members: Our team includes members of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) — the leading professional body for private client advisers.

Our Succession Planning Services

Business Succession Planning

Planning for the transfer of a business — whether to family members, management, or a third party. Shareholder agreements, buy-sell agreements, and business property relief planning.

Estate Succession Planning

Structuring your estate to pass to the next generation in the most tax-efficient way — using wills, trusts, lifetime gifting, and inheritance tax planning.

Family Governance

Establishing family governance structures — including family investment companies, family trusts, and family constitutions — to manage and protect family wealth across generations.

Inheritance Tax Planning

Minimising inheritance tax exposure through business property relief, agricultural property relief, lifetime gifting, and trust structures.

Wills & Powers of Attorney

Ensuring your will and Lasting Powers of Attorney are in place and reflect your succession intentions — including provisions for business interests.

Asset Protection

Protecting assets from care home costs, divorce, and creditors — using trusts, tenants in common arrangements, and other structures.

Specialist Succession Planning Advice

Business Owners

Specialist estate planning for business owners — including business property relief and shareholder succession.

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Farmers & Rural Landowners

Agricultural property relief, farm succession, and estate planning for farming families.

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Inheritance Tax Planning

Minimising inheritance tax through lifetime planning, trusts, and reliefs.

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Our Succession Planning Team

Darren Steele

Senior Private Client Executive · STEP Member

Succession Planning & IHT

Darren has worked in the legal sector since 1998 and has been a STEP member since 2011. He specialises in succession planning, inheritance tax, and complex estate structuring — advising business owners, farmers, and high-net-worth individuals on passing on wealth to the next generation.

Laura Kirton

Wills & Probate Solicitor · 10 Years Qualified

Estate & Succession Planning

Laura is a qualified solicitor with ten years' post-qualification experience, specialising in wills, probate, and estate planning. She regularly advises clients on succession planning — ensuring their estate is structured to pass to the right people in the most tax-efficient way.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is succession planning?

Succession planning is the process of planning for the transfer of your estate, business, or wealth to the next generation — in a way that reflects your wishes, minimises tax, and protects the people and things you care about. It typically involves a combination of wills, trusts, lifetime gifting, business planning, and tax planning.

Why is succession planning important for business owners?

Without a succession plan, a business can be disrupted or destroyed by the death or incapacity of a key person. A well-structured succession plan ensures the business can continue, that ownership passes to the right people, and that the tax position is managed — including business property relief for inheritance tax purposes.

What is business property relief?

Business property relief (BPR) is an inheritance tax relief that can reduce or eliminate the inheritance tax payable on qualifying business assets. Shares in an unquoted trading company, interests in a business, and certain other assets can qualify for 100% or 50% relief. The rules are complex and the relief is not automatic — we advise on structuring to maximise BPR.

What is a family investment company?

A family investment company (FIC) is a private limited company used to hold and manage family wealth. It can be used to pass wealth to the next generation in a tax-efficient way, while retaining control. FICs have become increasingly popular as an alternative to trusts following changes to trust taxation.

When should I start succession planning?

The earlier the better. Succession planning takes time — particularly where business interests are involved — and many of the most effective strategies require several years to implement. We recommend reviewing your succession plan whenever there is a significant change in your personal or business circumstances.