Owner-Managed Companies & Private Clients

When Business and Family Are the Same

In owner-managed companies, decisions are made that are separated elsewhere: about the business, about the wealth, and about the family. A regulation that is legally sound may be untenable within the family — and vice versa. We advise at this intersection.

Succession

Succession is not a date, but a process over years. The questions are rarely legal: Who should lead, who should hold, and are these the same people? What happens to children who do not work in the company? How is compensation financed without depriving the company of liquidity?

Our task is to make the decision made sustainable: in the articles of association, in the will, in powers of attorney, and, where appropriate, in a family constitution. So that it holds even when the case occurs unexpectedly.

Articles of Association and Participation

Many conflicts in family businesses arise from clauses that no one thought about at the time of conclusion: How is a share valued when someone leaves? Who is entitled to inherit, and what happens in the event of a shareholder's divorce? Which resolutions require unanimity — and does a single shareholder block the whole?

We review existing contracts for these points and design new ones so that they regulate the foreseeable case instead of leaving it to chance.

Wealth in Two Countries

Many entrepreneurial families with a German-Turkish background hold wealth on both sides: participations, real estate, accounts, sometimes business assets. This leads to questions that can only be answered together — regarding the applicable inheritance law, the property law effects of a marriage, tax residency, and the reporting and documentation obligations in both countries.

We view the wealth as a whole. A regulation that only considers one side regularly leads to results in the event of inheritance that no one wanted.

Inheritance Cases with Foreign Connections

When the inheritance case occurs, three questions arise first: Which law is applicable, which court or authority is competent, and what documentation do banks, registers, and land registries require in both countries? We clarify this before deadlines run out and subsequently accompany the practical settlement — until the transfer has actually taken place.

When Disputes Arise in the Family

When a conflict arises, the quickest way is rarely the best. We first examine what can be substantiated and which regulation actually applies, and then seek a solution that maintains the company's ability to act. If this fails, we will represent you consistently — this is also part of the advice.