For your life

Planning Farm Succession and Inheritance.

Succession planning for farming families and rural businesses

We help farming families plan how assets, roles, and responsibilities will pass to the next generation. Our advice is practical, tailored, and locally grounded.

Planning the Future of Your Family Farm

Farming is more than a business. It is a legacy built on hard work, commitment, and family connection.
Passing on the farm is about more than ownership. It involves family relationships, business continuity, legal structures, and long-term financial outcomes. Without a clear plan, the risk of conflict or disruption increases.

A good succession plan protects that legacy and helps families move forward together with clarity, fairness, and confidence.

What We Help With

Succession planning can feel complex, but the right advice makes it clear and manageable. We support farming families to create succession plans that are realistic, fair, and legally sound. This includes:

Advising on trusts, wills, and intergenerational property transfers

Structuring ownership through companies or partnerships

Coordinating with accountants, banks, and rural advisors

Facilitating family discussions and managing expectations

Drafting and reviewing the documents needed to formalise the plan

Our goal is to give your family clarity and confidence so the next generation can continue the legacy successfully.

Advice That Fits Your Farm and Your Family

Every farming family is different. We take time to understand your goals, your business structure, and your family dynamics. Our advice is practical, clear, and tailored to your situation. We also work closely with your existing advisors to make sure the legal and financial sides of the plan align.

Where We Work

Our rural law team is based in Masterton, supporting farming clients throughout the Wairarapa and across rural New Zealand. We also provide support through our Wellington and Lower Hutt offices.

Questions We Often Get Asked About Farm Succession Planning:

The earlier the better. Starting early allows open discussion, gradual transition, and flexibility as circumstances change. We recommend beginning the process well before retirement or a change in management.

Succession works best when all key family members and advisors are involved. We often work alongside accountants, banks, and rural consultants to make sure every perspective is considered.

Fairness does not always mean equal. We help families balance the needs of those working on the farm with those who are not, and document arrangements clearly to avoid misunderstandings later.

Yes. Many families move from sole ownership to partnerships, companies, or trusts as part of succession. We explain the options and help you set up the structure that fits your goals.

Disagreement is common. We help facilitate discussion, clarify legal options, and work toward solutions that protect relationships and the farm’s future.