Private Wealth & Family Business

Private-wealth and family-business lawyers for high-net-worth individuals, family offices and intergenerational family enterprises in Kenya. We provide discreet, partner-led advice on succession planning under the Law of Succession Act, trust and estate structuring, family-business governance and constitutions, wealth protection, and the administration of cross-border and multi-jurisdictional assets.

Relevant expertise: Private Clients, Wealth & Family; Tax; Real Estate & Property; Corporate & Commercial; Immigration

How we help. We act for high-net-worth individuals, family offices and intergenerational family enterprises on succession planning under the Law of Succession Act, trust and estate structuring, family-business governance and constitutions, wealth protection, matrimonial-property arrangements, and the administration of cross-border and multi-jurisdictional assets — with the tax and immigration dimensions handled in step.

Why OLM for private wealth and family business. Family wealth raises succession, tax, governance and sometimes immigration questions at once, and demands absolute discretion. Our partner-led private-client team plans holistically and confidentially, protecting both the wealth and the family relationships across generations.

Frequently Asked Questions

How should a family business plan for succession in Kenya? Through a combination of wills, trusts, a family constitution and a governance framework that separates ownership from management. We design and document the structure to avoid disputes and tax inefficiency.

Are trusts recognised and useful in Kenya? Yes. Trusts are recognised under Kenyan law and are widely used for asset protection, succession and philanthropy. We advise on the right trust structure and establish it.

What happens to a business if an owner dies without a plan? It passes under intestacy rules, often causing disputes and value loss. We put succession structures in place to avoid this.

How is wealth protected across generations? Through trusts, governance structures and tax-efficient planning tailored to the family. We design protection strategies.

What role does a family office play? A family office coordinates investments, succession, tax and governance for a wealthy family. We advise on establishing and running one.

How are cross-border family assets managed? Through coordinated structuring across jurisdictions with foreign-counsel input on conflict-of-laws issues. We manage cross-border planning.

What is the role of a trustee or executor? A trustee manages trust assets for beneficiaries; an executor administers an estate under a will. We advise and act in both roles.

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