International Succession Planning

What happens when a globe-spanning family fortune meets the realities of modern tax, law, and succession planning?In this episode, an international panel of experts unpacks a compelling case study centred on a fictional entrepreneurial patriarch facing the ultimate question: how to pass on a complex mix of business interests, property, and personal wealth to the next generation — smoothly, fairly, and tax-efficiently.Drawing on perspectives from tax advisers, onshore and offshore legal counsel, and investment specialists, the panel takes listeners inside the family’s existing wills, trusts, and pension arrangements, spotlighting potential inheritance tax pitfalls and the challenges of cross-border planning, including continental forced-heirship rules.The conversation ranges widely across key international issues, from wealth and estate taxes in several EU jurisdictions and the US, to the treatment of overseas property holdings. The panel also examines how measures announced in the latest Budget could reshape the family’s planning, and what structural changes may be needed to keep their investment strategy aligned with an evolving legal and tax landscape.Beyond the numbers, the discussion delves into the human side of succession — exploring the tensions that can arise between family members and offering practical strategies for anticipating, managing, and mitigating conflict to ensure a lasting legacy.Whether you advise international families or are part of one yourself, this episode offers valuable insights into the realities of long-term, cross-border succession planning in an increasingly complex world.