Private Clients

Personal legal matters, handled with care

The legal affairs of a private individual rarely arrive neatly separated. A question about a family property may raise a matrimonial issue, an inheritance concern and a tax question at the same time. We advise individuals and families on these connected matters as a whole, rather than addressing each one in isolation, and we take the time to understand the family circumstances behind the file before recommending a course of action.

Much of our private client work concerns people with ties to more than one country, or with assets held in more than one jurisdiction. Swiss private international law, together with the law of any other state involved, shapes how those matters may be handled. We work through the cross-border questions carefully and, where necessary, alongside advisers abroad.

Succession and estate planning

The Swiss Civil Code governs succession for persons whose estate is dealt with in Switzerland. It sets out who is entitled to inherit, the shares that close family members are reserved, and the freedom a person has to dispose of their estate by will or by a contract of inheritance. We advise on the design of an estate plan that reflects the client's intentions while remaining compatible with those rules.

Where a person holds assets in several jurisdictions, or has family members resident elsewhere, the interaction between Swiss law and a foreign succession regime requires early attention. We advise on the choice of law that may be available, on the form a will should take, and on how an estate plan may be coordinated with arrangements already made abroad. We also assist with the administration of an estate, including the steps required to establish the position of heirs and to divide assets.

Matrimonial and family matters

Matrimonial property regimes, separation, divorce and the financial arrangements that follow are handled with the privacy these matters require. We advise on the terms of a marriage or separation agreement, and on arrangements concerning children where these arise. Swiss family law also deals with the position of registered partners and of unmarried couples in ways that clients do not always expect, so we explain the consequences of each arrangement before it is agreed.

Real estate and personal assets

Residential property, family homes, land, and interests in closely held companies form part of many personal estates. We advise on sales and purchases, on the rules governing the acquisition of residential property in Switzerland, on co-ownership and on the practical questions that arise within a family about the use, transfer or division of a property.

Where personal wealth is held in corporate structures, foundations, trusts or comparable arrangements, we advise on the legal framework applicable in Switzerland and on the obligations that follow, including those connected with financial institutions and the Swiss framework for financial services. Where a structure already exists, we review how it fits the client's present circumstances and whether any change is warranted.

Who we advise

Our private client practice serves individuals, couples and families, including those with international connections, those holding property in Switzerland from abroad, and the holders of family businesses preparing for the transfer of wealth to a younger generation. Instructions are usually accepted on referral or recommendation, and each matter is handled with the confidentiality the profession requires.

Getting in touch

If you would like to discuss a personal legal matter, please contact us to arrange an initial conversation.

Related practice areas: Corporate & Commercial · International Matters · Litigation & Disputes