Individuals

Umbricht Attorneys Ltd. advises and represents private individuals and entrepreneurial families both in Switzerland and abroad.

We have been advising entrepreneurs and their families over decades and generation changes, private individuals with complex wealth structures to ensure long-term protection of their most important tangible and intangible assets, with regard to tax optimisation, when considering new international domiciles for a family business or relocation of the family, when implementing philanthropic projects or in relation to inheritance planning and execution of wills.

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Situations & Solutions

Private sphere
Umbricht Attorneys advises and represents private individuals and entrepreneurial families both in Switzerland and abroad.

Umbricht Attorneys advise domestic and foreign private individuals and their families foresightedly on personal matters from generation to generation.

Whether for your personal tax or property questions, your inheritance planning, adjusting your assets structure including foundations or trusts, or relocating your family – we will explore the best and most suitable national and international avenues.

You might recognise some of the scenarios we now describe followed by our suggested solutions.

Your situation

You and your family want to come to live in Switzerland and have questions relating to taxes, permits, acquisition of property and other administrative matters (Implementation of your relocation).

Our solution
  • We obtain the necessary permits.
  • We also obtain the necessary tax rulings (lump-sum taxation).
  • We assist with the property purchase as well as with the recruitment of staff and the handling of relevant administrative matters.
Your situation

You wish to make provisions in the event of loss of your decisionmaking capacitydue to an accident or illness and make the appropriate arrangements.

Our solution
  • We develop tailor-made patient dispositions.
Your situation

You want to buy or sell a property or have a construction project.

Our solution
  • We obtain the necessary permits.
  • We draft or check contracts and regulations (purchase contract, contract with an architect; contracts for works, general contractor agreements; condominium/commonhold/leaseholder agreements).
  • We checking existing and register new easements and charges.
  • We also check for potential contamination claims.
  • We offer legal support with regard to the financing (pension fund withdrawals, mortgages, credit arrangements, property leasing).
Your situation

You want to acquire, import or dispose art objects or protect them in a collection.    

Our solution
  • We deal with duties under customs and tax legislation.
  • We provide advice in connection with the Federal Act on the International Transfer of Cultural Property (CPTA).
  • We assist in the formation and administration of foundations.
  • We draft and check contracts.
  • We provide escrow services.
Your situation

Your property has been classified as a historical monument, your property has been rezoned or parts have been expropriated.

Our solution
  • We check the legality of such measures.
  • We also check whether compensation can be made available.
  • We claim any such compensation, institute proceedings and represent you legally.
Your situation

You have problems with your tenancy or there are disputes relating to rented property (e.g. the level of rent payable, service charge costs, alterations to the property or termination).

Our solution
  • We drafting rental contracts and sub-tenancy agreements.
  • We check and draw up notices of termination.
  • We represent you before authorities and courts.
Your situation

You want to improve your tax position or disagree with the tax assessments issued by the Tax Authorities.

Our solution
  • We advise on tax optimisation and structuring.
  • We check requirements and tax assessments from the tax authorities.
  • We assist you in dealing with the authorities.
  • We handle tax litigation (assessment and appeal proceedings).
Your situation

You want to move abroad with your family and need ex-pat advice.

Our solution
  • We determine areas for action and implement them (e.g. choice of law in favour of Swiss law in questions of inheritance law or matrimonial property regimes).
  • We draft an ex-pat agreement.
Your situation

You want to protect your family’s future, regulate your estate or claim your inheritance rights. 

Our solution
  • We check and draft wills, marriage and inheritance contracts. 
  • We form and administer trusts and foundations.
  • We set up foundation by-laws and a trust deed. 
  • We assist you with care agreements and patient dispositions (enduring powers of attorney).
  • We advise on effect of changes to a new situation in life (offspring, move abroad, divorce).
  • We assist with the division of estates and personal executorships.
  • We handle the liquidation of decedents’ estates.
  • We enforce or defend inheritance claims or (provisionally) secure the same.
  • We represent heirs or implement mediation proceedings.
Business sphere
As multi-faceted as the business life of private individuals is, so comprehensive is Umbricht Attorneys’ long-time experience.

Whether in connection with tax planning, in all phases of acquiring or disposing of shares or investments (including private equity or venture capital), the development of and succession planning for family businesses or the setting up a family office – we work out lasting solutions.

You might recognise some of the scenarios in your business life we now describe, followed by some of our suggested solutions.

Your situation

You want to form a company in Switzerland or move the domicile of your business or group of companies to Switzerland.    

Our solution
  • We assist you in the choice of domicile, the formation or transfer of the company’s domicile and the day-to-day business.
  • We set up an efficient corporate organisation.
  • We handle tax, employment and residence permit matters.
Your situation

You want to acquire or dispose of a business, regulate your succession or terminate your relations with business partners.

Our solution
  • We support you in the evaluation and handling of business acquisitions.
  • We set up succession measures.
  • We assist you in the exclusion of shareholders.
  • We negotiate and draft termination agreements.
Your situation

You want to acquire or dispose of participations (such as shares) in companies.

Our solution
  • We carry out due diligence investigations.
  • We negotiate share purchase agreements.
  • We draft shareholder agreements.
  • We provide escrow services.
Your situation

You are a Board member of an (internationally active) company and require legal assistance.

Our solution
  • We provide you with legal assistance in the execution of your duties.
  • We train/raise awareness of board members (e.g. corporate governance).
  • We defend against liability claims (e.g. responsibility claims against board members).
Your situation

You need a permit from the authorities or such permit has been refused.

Our solution
  • We assist in the approval process.
  • We contest the refusal of permits.
Your situation

You look for a succession plan for your business. 

Our solution
  • We analyse various succession options.
  • We negotiate and draft the appropriate contracts.
Disputes
Umbricht Attorneys will vigorously enforce your rights before national courts, authorities and arbitration tribunals.

Our team of litigation lawyers will look after your interests to bring proceedings of all types to a close taking your personal circumstance into account and with the necessary tenacity. We will protect your position carefully and with regard to future developments. Maybe you are in a similar conflict situation as described below. Please see also our initial approaches for a solution.

Your situation

You are involved in proceedings or a dispute and want to have these determined or settled efficiently.

Our solution
  • We negotiate out-of-court settlements.
  • We carry out mediations.
  • We handle proceedings before national courts and arbitration tribunals.
  • We analyse the likely success of proceedings and litigation risks.
  • We assist with appeals.
Your situation

You have a dispute at work (dismissal, dispute about salary, bullying, content of a reference, dismissal for variation of contract).

Our solution
  • We advise you comprehensively and represent you in all employment law matters.
Your situation

You become involved with criminal proceedings as a result of your business activities.

Our solution
  • We defend you in proceedings.
Your situation

You take the view that a normative act or decision is an infringement of your rights and wish to contest it.

Our solution
  • We examine the legal position.
  • We represent you in appeal proceedings.
Your situation

You take the view that your political rights have been infringed, for example because of deficiencies in the preparation of an election or during the voting process.

Our solution
  • We examine the legal position.
  • We submit an electoral complaint.