Foundation Law

Sustainable asset management, securing accountability

Foundations serve various purposes: they safeguard family assets, promote charitable causes, or structure long-term business investments. At the same time, they are subject to specific legal and organizational requirements. Careful structuring and ongoing legal support are therefore crucial to maintaining a lasting balance between the foundation’s purpose, assets, and governance.

FGvW provides comprehensive advice on foundation law. We assist our clients in establishing foundations, designing sound bylaws and organizational structures, and providing ongoing legal support for existing foundations. Our advisory approach combines expertise in foundation law with a clear understanding of economic, family, and charitable objectives.

Our key areas of focus in foundation law include:

• Establishment and structuring of foundations, particularly charitable and private-benefit foundations
• Drafting and amending foundation bylaws and organizational structures
• Advising foundation boards and committees on rights, obligations, and governance issues
• Support in foundation regulatory proceedings and communication with supervisory authorities
• Asset structuring and foundation investments in companies
• Conflict resolution within foundation structures, as well as judicial and extrajudicial disputes

We view foundation law as a long-term planning task. Our advisors work closely with related practice groups, particularly in the areas of tax law and corporate law. This results in legally sound structures that permanently safeguard the foundation’s purpose and enable responsible asset management.

In foundation law, careful planning and a stable legal foundation are essential. We support you in structuring foundations for the long term, reliably meeting legal requirements, and achieving your goals over the long term.