Private Clients

In connection with his wealth and succession planning matters, including establishing new purpose trust (STAR) structures in the Cayman Islands, amending existing trust structures in Guernsey and Switzerland, drafting of complex wills in Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda and the United States of America, structuring outward investment from the United Arab Emirates to Ghana, and drafting shareholders agreements and convertible loan agreements and structuring ownership of property investments in the United Arab Emirates and United Kingdom.

In connection with the family’s wealth and succession planning matters, including obtaining advice from a Sharia’h scholar on issues relating to establishing a trust, establishing an offshore trust to hold the client’s assets, and restructuring of the group into a single holding structure.

In connection with the interpretation and validity of a poorly drafted will seeking to create unworkable trusts which could have resulted to a potential family dispute arising from its unclear provisions. We sought a court order to approve our interpretation of the will and handled the probate and distribution of the deceased’s vast estate.

In connection with his succession planning matters, including restructuring of the shareholding in the existing businesses in a tax-efficient manner, establishing a local Kenyan trust, and drafting wills for the client.

In connection with their wealth and succession planning matters, including advising on UK wills and bank accounts, risks of Sharia’h in the UAE and the application of forced heirship rights in the UAE and Ethiopia, including establishment of a new purpose trust (STAR) structure in the Cayman Islands with unique provisions relating to a committee of elders, drafting of complex wills in Kenya, UK and Ethiopia to ensure that the clients wishes were fulfilled, establishing a charitable trust in Kenya and providing corporate restructuring advice.

In connection with the review of the existing family trust structure governing the shares of the family holding company, which holds significant assets in the horticultural and real estate sectors and advising on a restructuring of the trust, including drafting resolutions to wind up the initial trust structure, establishing a new family trust, drafting an appropriate trust deed to govern the trust, transferring assets from the previous trust arrangement into the new one, drafting a complex will for the settlor of the new trust structure and drafting a deed of counter indemnity to provide additional protection from potential claims of indemnity from previous trustees.

Our team offers personalised tax planning to optimise wealth preservation across jurisdictions, in Africa, the UAE, and beyond. We collaborate seamlessly with our dedicated tax department to deliver:

• Cross-border tax advice: Structuring investments and transactions to minimise tax liabilities while ensuring compliance with local and international regulations.
• Complex tax transactions: We advise on regional and international tax planning for local and offshore assets held through trusts and foundations.
• Tax-optimal estate planning: Our team provides solutions for high-net-worth clients, addressing diverse assets and beneficiaries in foreign jurisdictions.
• Common Reporting Standards (CRS) analysis: We assess CRS risks and ensure compliance with global reporting obligations.
• Sharia-compliant planning: Tailored advice for clients applying Sharia law to estate and wealth management.
• Corporate restructuring: Designing tax-efficient holding company structures for family businesses and wealth portfolios.

Our integrated tax expertise ensures robust, legally effective solutions that maximise tax optimisation opportunities.

ALN Firms ensure the long-term sustainability of family wealth and businesses through tailored governance and succession strategies, including:

• Corporate governance structures: Drafting shareholders’ agreements and family constitutions to formalise decision-making, promote transparency, and prevent disputes.
• Family councils and dispute resolution: Establishing mechanisms to navigate complex family dynamics and ensure business continuity.
• Succession planning: Designing bespoke plans for inter-generational wealth transfer, addressing unique family needs, including significant age differences or polygamous arrangements.
• Leadership preparation: Developing strategies to educate and prepare the next generation for leadership roles in family businesses.
• Corporate governance best practices: Promoting transparency, accountability, and ethical conduct to protect stakeholder interests and ensure sustainable management.

Our expertise ensures smooth transitions of leadership and ownership, preserving family legacies.

ALN Firms provide specialised services in drafting and executing Wills, as well as managing probate, including:

• Complex Will drafting: Creating intricate Wills for high-net-worth clients with diverse assets across jurisdictions, incorporating detailed letters of wishes and balancing statutory dependency provisions.
• Will challenges: Advising on disputes involving mental capacity or undue influence, strategising robust legal approaches.
• Probate administration: Handling the legal process of administering estates, including contested matters and assets in regulated sectors.
• Executor services: We act as professional executors to manage deceased estates objectively, mitigating risks and resolving complexities.
• Dispute resolution: Offering mediation and negotiated settlements for cost-effective, amicable resolutions, with litigation support when necessary to protect client interests.

Our litigation team has a strong track record in resolving complex family disputes, ensuring your rights and assets are safeguarded.

With decades of experience, ALN Firms provide comprehensive estate and trust administration services, including:

• Succession planning and probate: Expert advice on contested and non-contested succession matters, navigating complex probate issues across jurisdictions in Africa UAE, and beyond.
• Onshore and offshore trusts: Advising on trust structures in Africa and international hubs like the Cayman Islands, Guernsey, Switzerland, Isle of Man, Belgium, Jersey, among others, ensuring compliance and efficiency.
• Family dynamics and disputes: Managing intricate family arrangements, including polygamous structures, and resolving disputes among beneficiaries or executors, even in regulated sectors with statutory shareholding requirements.
• Intestate estates: Drafting comprehensive family agreements to provide clarity and preserve family harmony, even when departing from statutory provisions.

Our team excels at addressing complex succession challenges, ensuring seamless inter-generational wealth transfer.

We specialise in creating and managing wealth structures tailored to client needs, including:

• Local law trusts: Establishing discretionary Will and bare trusts in different regions, even those highly valued for their flexibility and compliance.
• Offshore structures: Through our regional office, Anjarwalla Collins & Haidermota (AC&H) in Dubai, we offer DIFC Wills, foundations, and complex real estate structuring in jurisdictions like the UAE, Cayman Islands, Guernsey, Switzerland, and others.
• Community trusts: We educate trustees on governance and draft intricate provisions for founder rights and funding agreements.
• Trust management: We review and amend existing trust structures to address deficiencies and ensure alignment with client goals.

Our global network, including partnerships in the Isle of Man, Belgium, and Jersey, ensures robust and compliant wealth structures.