The dispute
A family business is not divided like a bank account. Shares may be subject to shareholders' agreements, pre-emption rights, lock-in clauses or transfer restrictions that limit what each heir can do with their inherited stake.
The typical dispute pits the heir who works in the business — and wants to carry on — against siblings who would rather sell and take their share. Add to that the difficulty of valuing the company, separating personal and business assets, and paying inheritance tax without choking the company's cash flow.
Why act in time
A poorly managed business succession can paralyse the company: boardroom deadlock, inability to take decisions, loss of clients and labour disputes. Tax deadlines, moreover, do not wait for the family to agree.
Planning the succession from the outset makes it possible to claim family business tax relief, negotiate agreements between heirs, coordinate with outside shareholders and prevent the inheritance from destroying what the deceased built. The sooner the matter is organised, the more continuity options remain open.
The firm's strategy
We approach the company as the central asset of the estate, combining corporate, succession and tax law so the solution works for both the family and the business.
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Corporate and testamentary map
We analyse the articles of association, shareholders' agreements, the will and the group structure. We identify transfer restrictions, outside shareholders and heirs with conflicting interests.
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Valuation and separation of assets
We value shares on a defensible basis, distinguish business assets from personal wealth and calculate the impact on the forced share and on inheritance tax.
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Agreement between heirs and continuity
We negotiate the allocation of shares to the managing heir, liquidity mechanisms for the others — life insurance, deferred payments, dividends — and coordinate with shareholders where pre-emption rights exist.
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Tax filing and registration
We apply Catalan family business relief, file the inheritance tax return and formalise the transfer of shares before a notary and at the Companies Registry with full validity.
