Family succession: the five-year roadmap

Why start early

A transfer within the family is rarely a sale, but rather a process. Those who have a five-year lead time can distribute substance, make the balance sheet ready for transfer, and operationally onboard the successor.

The three phases

The following process has proven effective in practice:

– Year 1–2: Valuation, family discussion, purification of non-operating assets.

– Year 3–4: Transfer of operational responsibility, financing concept, clarify matrimonial property law and inheritance law.

– Year 5: Execution, observe blocking periods, define the role of the departing generation.

Tax pitfalls

Indirect partial liquidation and transponation regularly lead to unexpected tax consequences. Both can be secured in advance with a tax ruling.

The most important points in brief

– Have a valuation prepared early and independently.

– Obtain a tax ruling before execution.

– Clarify the role of the departing generation in writing.