Family Governance
Our team advises families on all aspects of family governance. We help clients secure their capital and legacy across generations by designing and implementing legal frameworks and governance tools. With offices in Switzerland and London and a strong international network, we are able to deliver cross-border solutions tailored to complex, global family structures.
Areas of expertise
- Estate planning and asset protection
- Succession planning for family businesses
- Structuring philanthropic projects
- Family governance frameworks and family charters
- Cross-border solutions for international families
- Mediation and conflict resolution within family structure
We combine technical excellence with sensitivity to family dynamics, helping our clients preserve and grow their legacy for generations to come.
Other relevant areas
Estate planning | Asset Structuring | Family law, Planning & Litigation | Philanthropy
The firm also draws praise for its multicultural team, with one source observing: “Meyerlustenberger is perhaps one of the most diverse and inclusive Swiss firms we have ever worked with”
Publications
Bergos Berenberg Adds Top Lawyer and Banker to Its Board
finews.com, 14 August 2019- EN
Bergos Berenberg: Topbanker und Staranwältin im Verwaltungsrat
finews.ch, 14. August 2019- DE
Cette entraide judiciaire avec la France qui inquiète UBS
Le Temps, 25 juillet 2019- FR
Affaire UBS: le Tribunal fédéral «a ouvert une boîte de Pandore»
Le Temps, 26 juillet 2019- FR
Firm News
News Portal
Arbitrating Private-Wealth Disputes: Why the Swiss Rules for Trust, Estate and Foundation (TEF) Matter
Switzerland has long been a trusted centre for resolving private-wealth disputes thanks to its political stability and financial infrastructure. The alpine country has also and continues to be a preferred jurisdiction for high-net-worth individuals to establish residence thanks to the very attractive tax regime of some Swiss cantons (with the so-called lump-sum taxation).
With the introduction in 2025 by the Swiss Arbitration Centre (Centre) of the Supplemental Swiss Rules for Trust, Estate and Foundation Disputes (TEF Rules), Switzerland is setting a tailor-made framework and a new standard for clarity and efficiency in the arbitration of trust, estate, and foundation disputes. They are designed to address the unique challenges that arise in such disputes which often involve multiple parties, complex and cross-border asset structures, and sensitive family dynamics.
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New International Succession Law: one step forward, one step back – Effective as of 1 January 2025
The new Article 91(1) of the Private International Law Act partially harmonises Swiss legislation with European law by allowing Swiss nationals with multiple nationalities to elect a foreign national law for their succession. This change offers greater flexibility, although it is still limited by the requirement to comply with Swiss forced heirship provisions.
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Inheritance advance, inter vivos gift, sale at a preferential price – what applies in the event of death?
Anyone planning their estate or transferring assets to family members during their lifetime or intending to do so in the future can, on the one hand, make dispositions and division provisions regarding their estate by testamentary disposition, i.e. by means of a last will or an inheritance contract.
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Act on the Transparency of Legal Entities
On 22 May 2024 the Federal Council adopted the dispatch on the new Transparency Act for Legal Entities to be submitted to the Swiss parliament. The bill introduces a new federal register of beneficial owners of legal entities as well as new due diligence duties for risky activities in the legal profession, following the purpose of enhancing effectiveness of the Swiss framework for combating money laundering and terrorist financing. Furthermore, the bill aims compliance with international standards set by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
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New Developments in Swiss Foundation Law
On 1 January 2024, various amendments to Swiss foundation law will come into force. New provisions will be introduced in the following areas:
- Complaint on supervisory matters regulated by law (Art. 84 para. 3 Swiss Civil Code, hereinafter “CC”);
- Extension of the founder’s rights through a reservation of the right to amend the organization (Art. 86a CC);
- Simplification of minor amendments to the foundation’s deed (Art. 86b CC);
- Form applicable to amendments of the deeds (Art. 86c CC).
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