Practice Area
Private Client, Inheritance, Business and Estate Succession Planning and Advice
Orderly transfer and protection of private and business assets
GHP advises private clients, entrepreneurial families and family offices on the structuring, preservation and orderly transfer of private and business assets. Our advice combines corporate, real estate and inheritance law and is closely coordinated with the client's tax advisers and, where foreign assets are involved, with foreign counsel.
Experience & Expertise
Personal experience and expertise of Attorneys at Law of GHP (including before foundation of GHP in national and international law firms) include:
Advising on succession planning for family and owner-led enterprises, including the transfer of shares during the lifetime of the transferor, the retention of control and provision for the transferring generation.
Drafting wills, codicils, legacies, inheritance contracts and agreements on the waiver of inheritance and compulsory portion rights (Erb- und Pflichtteilsverzicht).
Advising on compulsory portion claims (Pflichtteil), on gifts to be taken into account and on the avoidance of disputes among heirs.
Representing heirs, legatees and creditors of the estate in Austrian probate proceedings (Verlassenschaftsverfahren) up to and including the devolution of the estate (Einantwortung).
Advising on Austrian private foundations (Privatstiftungen), including foundation deeds and supplementary deeds, and the assumption of foundation board mandates.
Structuring asset-holding vehicles, including GmbH & Co KG structures for real estate and other private assets.
Advising on powers of attorney and precautionary instruments (Vorsorgevollmacht, Patientenverfügung) and on Austrian adult protection law.
Cross-border succession advice, including the EU Succession Regulation (Regulation (EU) No 650/2012), choice of law and European Certificates of Succession.
Ongoing advice to family offices on the administration, financing and reorganisation of private asset portfolios.