Buying or Selling Shares.

Legal Advice for Buying or Selling Private Shares

Buying or selling shares in a private company involves both commercial and personal considerations. We provide clear, practical legal advice to help you understand your rights, responsibilities, and risks throughout the process.

Buying Shares Privately

Private share deals often involve trusts, family holdings, or special governance terms. Legal review helps you clarify rights, obligations, and hidden risks before you commit. We also assist with:

• Reviewing share purchase agreements and supporting documents

• Explaining terms, conditions, and obligations in plain language

• Identifying risks tied to trusts, private company structures, or family‑held shares

• Checking valuation, liquidity, minority rights, and enforceability before you proceed

This is especially important for closely held businesses and family trust arrangements.

Selling Your Shares

For share sellers or transfers, we support you with:

• Drafting or reviewing sale and transfer documents

• Advising on shareholder agreements, consents, and transfer restrictions

• Ensuring your legal and financial interests are properly considered

Share Transfers Within Families or Estates

• Trust restructures or trustee changes

• Succession planning or estate administration

• Family settlements, relationship property, or intra‑family agreements

Where We Work

Our team is based in Wellington, Lower Hutt, and Masterton. We serve individuals and families across the Wellington region and throughout New Zealand, delivering advice that balances commercial and personal considerations.

Questions We Often Get Asked About Private Share Transactions

Do I need legal advice to buy or sell private shares?

Yes. Such deals may involve family trusts, minority protections, or closely held structures. We help clarify those obligations and risks before you commit.

What should I check in a private share purchase agreement?

You should check terms on price, conditions, warranties, restrictions on transfer, obligations after sale, and exit options. We help you understand and negotiate those terms.

How do family trusts or private company structures add complexity?

Transactions involving family or trust structures may impose transfer restrictions, valuation complexity, or conflict of interest concerns. We help you address those issues and assess risk.

Can you assist with share transfers in estates or family contexts?

Yes. We help with share transfers tied to succession, estate settlements, trustee changes, or family agreement contexts, ensuring legal clarity and fairness.