As Taiwan’s family-owned businesses face ageing leadership and growing cross-border complexity, succession planning has become a pressing priority
In Taiwan’s shifting socio-economic landscape, private wealth management and family office law structures are vital for legacy sustainability and smooth succession. Without proper planning, families risk disputes and asset erosion. High-net-worth individuals and businesses must adopt legal tools for asset preservation and intergenerational transfer to safeguard wealth and ensure long-term stability.
Global wealth and cross-border businesses present both opportunities and challenges for Taiwanese families. Many now benchmark against global models to preserve assets, nurture family harmony, cultivate next-gen leadership, and advance philanthropy. Success demands a holistic, customised approach – balancing legal, financial and governance strategies to fit each family’s unique needs.
Despite improvements, Taiwan continues to lag behind East Asia in family office adoption. According to a recent Preqin report from 2019 to 2025, the Asia-Pacific region saw a sixfold increase in family offices, with a projected USD5.8 trillion set to transfer by 2030.
A 2019 Foresight Magazine survey of 170 Taiwanese corporate leaders revealed that 95% of companies were family-controlled – the highest rate in East Asia. More than half of respondents were aged 60 or older, and 78% regarded succession planning as a critical challenge.
Yet, according to a recent EY Taiwan report cited by Commercial Times, Taiwanese family office usage grew only from 12% to 15% between 2022 and 2024, far below regional averages.
Taiwanese high-net-worth families must shift from awareness to action in succession planning. A comprehensive, expert-led approach combining local insight with global best practices is essential.
Families should assess current structures, engage qualified advisers, and explore proven tools such as family offices, trusts and governance frameworks, ensuring compliance with Taiwan’s evolving legal landscape. This article shares the firm’s experience guiding clients through this critical phase of entrepreneurship.
In Taiwan, wealth succession tools include annual gifts, insurance, wills, trusts, foundations, holding companies and closely held firms – ensuring effective asset transfer. Succession planning requires analysing asset types – real estate, shares, financial products, IP and art – each with distinct legal, tax laws and operational considerations. Listed shares may trigger disclosure and compliance issues, while overseas properties and offshore investments involve complex cross-border procedures. Tailored strategies are essential to address the challenges of each asset class.
