The webinar introduced Jahnavi Kohli, Partner and Head of Private Client Practice at A&B Legal, a full-service law firm with a strong presence across India and Dubai. Her practice focuses on working directly with families and promoters, offering personalized legal structuring to address wealth preservation, family governance, and dispute avoidance, especially across multi-jurisdictional contexts.
A key myth addressed was that estate and succession planning is only relevant for ultra-high-net-worth individuals. The discussion emphasized that there is no minimum asset threshold for planning—anyone with assets and dependents should consider it. Succession and estate planning were positioned as proactive, positive, and future-focused exercises aimed at ensuring wealth transfer, protecting loved ones, and preserving family harmony across generations.
The conversation clarified the distinction between estate planning and succession planning. Estate planning relates to personal assets and wealth, while succession planning focuses on the continuity of businesses. Although distinct, the two often overlap for promoters and family-owned businesses. Tools such as wills, private trusts, family constitutions, and governance frameworks were discussed as essential mechanisms to provide structure, flexibility, and long-term sustainability.
The benefits of proper planning were highlighted, including wealth preservation, mitigation of disputes, timely asset distribution, tax efficiency, and preparedness for unforeseen events. The discussion noted that family disputes and poorly drafted or absent wills remain one of the biggest threats to wealth erosion, often leading to prolonged litigation and public conflicts.
Several high-profile cases were referenced to illustrate the consequences of inadequate planning, reinforcing the importance of clear documentation, timely execution, and professional drafting. The session stressed that planning should be done early—ideally before a crisis—when individuals are in the right frame of mind to make sound decisions.
Special emphasis was placed on NRI clients and families with assets across multiple jurisdictions. Cross-border succession involves navigating varying legal, tax, and regulatory frameworks, including inheritance laws, FEMA regulations, and residency considerations. The importance of jurisdiction-specific wills and long-term planning aligned with family goals, mobility, and global opportunities was underlined.
Overall, the session reinforced that succession and estate planning is not about wealth size, but about responsibility, foresight, and ensuring continuity—financially, legally, and emotionally—for families across generations.