Succession and Retirement Planning for Owner Managed Businesses

Creating and running a business can be hard work and rewarding in equal measure. When the time comes to step back and wind down, planning your succession will be critical to both your own retirement and the continuing success of the business.

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Three members of our private client team

Supporting your succession strategy

Our specialist team of lawyers have decades of experience advising business owners on their succession plans. We understand the needs of owner managed businesses and support owners with a range of potential issues including managing family dynamics and discussions around who continues to play a role in the business.

Keeping ‘business as usual’ and maintaining stability for those still in the business can involve appointing another majority shareholder to maintain overall control. We advise on the legal documentation and structure to support this as well as communicating your wishes to key stakeholders and family members.

Working closely with colleagues, we support business owners to protect business assets in a variety of situations including claims relating to divorces or disagreements between family members and other interested parties. This often  includes support with drafting wills and lasting powers of attorney to ensure your estate passes on according to your wishes and that your business affairs are managed as you intended if you are incapacitated.

We understand the length of time needed to prepare a business for change and will work with you to put an effective strategy in place. From pre-exit tax planning to trusts and family investment companies, we’re with you every step of the way.

Our Private Wealth sector

Clients who have built a significant assets base may face a complex legal and tax landscape. Our experts, who cover a range of legal disciplines, are on hand to provide specialist legal guidance and support to help individuals, their families, trustees and family offices.

Services from our Private Wealth team
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Working with you

As an award-winning firm, recognised in many areas including corporate and private client advice, we have the expertise and capacity to support your needs. Our lawyers are true specialists in their field and work closely with colleagues to provide the support you need as you exit your business.

Business exits often require support from multiple areas including employment, real estate, family, corporate and private client. Bringing in the relevant specialists, we will coordinate everything, so you have a dedicated point of contact.

We have experience of advising businesses in a range of sectors and can also enlist support from colleagues in other teams including construction, agriculture, IP, healthcare and finance.

Our client base is broad, ranging from sole traders to serial entrepreneurs. We often advise founders and business owners as well as individuals and directors with significant stake holdings. We also have the expertise to advise on more complex structures such as partnerships, family offices and the specific needs of agribusinesses.

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Hear what our clients say about us

Very efficient, all went well.

Client testimonial

I was most impressed by Harriet. She always displayed a high degree of competence and professionalism. It was always a pleasure dealing with her and I would have no hesitation In recommending her to others

Client testimonial

Harriet and her colleague, Paris, were hugely personable and very professional in all dealings regarding re-writing our Wills. We will happily use HCR again.

Client testimonial

Beth and Leanne‘s thorough understanding of the legal intricacies and their strategic approach ensured that we were always well-informed and confident throughout the entire process. They were not only our legal representatives but also our pillars of support during this challenging time. Their compassionate and empathetic nature made us feel heard and valued, and their relentless pursuit of justice on our behalf was truly commendable. Thanks to their hard work and perseverance, we can now move forward with peace of mind and financial security. I wholeheartedly recommend Beth and Leanne to anyone in need of exceptional legal representation. They are truly outstanding professionals who go above and beyond for their clients.

Client testimonial Dispute

I cannot express enough gratitude for the exceptional service provided by Beth and Leanne at HCR Law.

Over the past two years, they have represented me, my mother, and my brother with unwavering dedication and professionalism. Their expertise and commitment were instrumental in enabling us to secure our rightful inheritance from the executor of my stepfather’s estate, who had been stalling the process.

Client testimonial Probate dispute

Your expertise and advice has been invaluable and a great service to me, and is really appreciated. I will gladly recommend you to anybody, without hesitation.

Client testimonial

Newly hired partner Lisa Millington is recommended for trusts involving landed estates.

Legal 500 2025 Private Client – Cambridge

Led by Daniel Curtis, who frequently acts for clients with foreign property or who are domiciled abroad, the practice provides ‘personal service and a knowledge base that is second to none’.

Legal 500 2025 Private Client – Cambridge

HCR Law ‘is a powerhouse for family work in the Midlands’.

Legal 500 2025 Private Client – Hereford

The Legal 500 2025 said “HCR Law’s ‘highly professional’ (Private Client) practice ‘adopts a very professional approach but manages to combine it with a personal touch which is very much in evidence with the practical advice’” and that they are “a go-to name for inheritance tax planning advice and handles trust reorganisations and administrations at a domestic and global level”.

The Legal 500 2025 Private Client

Michelle Abbott immediately made us feel at ease straight away. She is very professional, friendly and extremely helpful. Michelle guided us through the process, providing clear and easy to understand information. In preparing and completing wills, her legal knowledge and attention to detail is excellent.

It’s been a pleasure dealing with both you and your company and I would not hesitate in using your services again or recommending you to family and friends. Thank you very much for all you have done for us

Client Testimonial Will Drafting

Good, clear advice always delivered in a considerate, and often kind manner, without delay or need for chasing. A pleasure to deal with.

Client Testimonial Will Dispute

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