Rural families

In the 1950s, the firm formed a syndicate with a local agent, John Staite, to buy most of the land being sold by the Earl of Warwick with the purpose of selling farms and properties to their tenants. That legacy continues today. Our dedicated agricultural solicitors offer practical, commercially minded advice tailored to the unique needs of farming families, rural landowners and generational businesses.

Our rural legal services

Our team are creative in their problem solving and this can range from the transfer of land retaining overage rights to benefit the transferring party, the granting of farm business tenancies or a combination of other solutions. It is important to understand that the right resolution is not always a cash settlement sum and when dealing with agricultural disputes, it is not unusual for land assets to far outweigh cash assets.

Strategic land ownership and development

Agricultural land has its own unique tax structure and forms of tenancy. Making sure you have the correct arrangements in place is vital. We can advise on:  

• Tenancies, share farming agreements and contract agreements
• Options and promotion agreements

If you have land with possible planning potential we can help you to maximise your return whilst minimising your tax liabilities.

Rural business structures

Alongside your Will, we can provide you with practical help on structuring your business to be tax efficient and provide a robust legal structure for your assets to be passed to your family. We can advise on:

• The best corporate structure – partnerships and limited companies
• Partnership and shareholder agreements
• Cross options

Succession planning for rural businesses

Farmers face unique problems when carrying out succession planning. We advise farming families on tax and succession planning for the future ensuring that their business is protected for future generations. We work very closely with other professionals with extensive knowledge of the agricultural sector to ensure that matters are dealt with in the most efficient way possible from a taxation point of view and having in mind the future generations that may take on the business further down the line. 

We can advise you on the most appropriate Will for your circumstances and help produce a tax efficient plan to ensure your assets pass to the correct individuals. Making appropriate plans is important to minimise any tax liabilities and reduce the risk of family disputes.

Farming family matters

Our family and divorce lawyers have extensive experience in dealing with divorces, prenuptial agreements and cohabitation agreements. That combined with their understanding of the agricultural sector gives them an advantageous position when dealing with your matter.

It is often in these situations a case that the divorcing parties wish to retain assets so as to provide for future generations but this is against a background of more than one generation residing in the matrimonial home, various family members of potentially an extended family unit being partners in the farming partnership and the need to provide accommodation going forward for both parties.

In some circumstances, Trusts may be involved which have been set up from the Wills of previous generations, and it is necessary for all these issues to be taken into consideration so as to provide a resolution which is satisfactory for all parties.

Alternative dispute resolution is often used to try and secure a settlement before resorting to the court process which not only saves costs but also allows all parties to “get around a table” and find a settlement which suits all of them while providing for the next generation.

Wills and tax planning for farmers and their families

As a farmer you have worked hard to get where you are. Having worked hard you need to make appropriate plans to make sure your farm and your assets are protected and ensure it passes to your family and loved ones. We can help you put in place planning to protect your family, your assets and give you peace of mind that you have done the best for your nearest and dearest.

Will disputes in farming families

We also have a specialist Contentious Probate team dealing with Will disputes, issues which arise in relation to an executor’s conduct where they have taken inappropriate or no action at all, where a member of the family has been left out of a will but believes that they should be provided for and proprietary estoppel claims. Proprietary estoppel ordinarily occurs in an agricultural setting where a son or daughter thinks they are due to inherit the farm but on the passing of the parent, does not do so.

The expertise within the team not only lies with the wide ranging disputes that are dealt with on a daily basis but with the fact, there is an understanding of the agricultural setting in which disputes arise. It is important to seek to achieve resolutions that preserve family relationships, preserve assets for future generations and allow the business to continue while a dispute is ongoing.

Why choose Wright Hassall?

Our rural legal team has been advising farming families and rural businesses for over 170 years, giving us a unique understanding of the challenges and opportunities that come with managing land, livestock, and multi-generational assets. We’re not just legal advisers, we’re long-term partners who help protect your family’s legacy.

We combine specialist agricultural law expertise with deep sector connections, working closely with organisations such as the NFU and the CLA. This insight means we can anticipate issues before they arise and provide clear, practical solutions tailored to your circumstances.

Whether you need help with succession planning, land ownership agreements, family disputes or estate administration, we approach every matter with sensitivity and a focus on preserving relationships while safeguarding your assets.

Recognised by Chambers & Partners and the Legal 500, our reputation is built on delivering advice that is both commercially sound and personally reassuring - helping you plan with confidence for the next generation.

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