Note: The following scenario is fictional and used for illustration.
James and his business partner Rachel had been building their Manchester digital marketing agency for eight years. They'd grown it to a £2.5 million valuation with a loyal client base and a team of 15. They'd discussed "someday" formalizing what would happen if one of them died, but kept putting it off.
When James suffered a fatal heart attack at 42, his 50% shareholding passed under intestacy rules to his wife, Emma, who had no interest in running the business. Rachel suddenly found herself in business with someone who wanted dividends to replace James's income, while Rachel needed to reinvest profits for growth.
Within 18 months, they were forced to sell the business at a 40% discount to a competitor. Emma received £500,000 instead of the £1.25 million the shares should have been worth. Rachel lost the business she'd spent a decade building.
According to Legal & General research, 52% of UK businesses say the death of an owner would seriously impact their business, yet most lack formal succession agreements.
This guide explains how cross-option agreements prevent this scenario, how they work with life insurance and your personal will, what they cost, and how to set one up correctly to preserve valuable tax reliefs.
Table of Contents
- What Is a Cross-Option Agreement?
- How Cross-Option Agreements Work: Call Options and Put Options Explained
- Cross-Option vs Single Option Agreements: Which Is Right for Your Business?
- Funding Cross-Option Agreements with Life Insurance
- Tax Benefits: How Cross-Option Agreements Preserve Business Property Relief
- Setting Up a Cross-Option Agreement: The Step-by-Step Process
- What Happens Without a Cross-Option Agreement?
- Common Mistakes to Avoid with Cross-Option Agreements
- Cross-Option Agreements and Your Personal Will: How They Work Together
- How Much Does a Cross-Option Agreement Cost?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
What Is a Cross-Option Agreement?
A cross-option agreement is a legal contract between company shareholders giving reciprocal rights when a shareholder dies. The surviving shareholders can buy the deceased's shares (called a call option), and the deceased's estate can sell those shares (called a put option).
It's also known as a double option agreement or put and call agreement—all three terms mean the same thing.
The core purpose is threefold. It prevents the deceased shareholder's family or beneficiaries from becoming unwanted co-owners. It provides liquidity for the estate to pay inheritance tax and support dependents. And it ensures business continuity without disruption.
Here's how it works in practice. Emma and David are 50-50 partners in a printing company worth £800,000. They have a cross-option agreement in place. When Emma dies, David has the right to buy Emma's shares. Emma's estate has the right to force David to buy them.
Neither party can be stuck. David won't have Emma's children as co-owners with no printing industry experience. Emma's family won't be stuck with unsellable shares in a business they can't influence.
This creates options—rights that can be exercised—not obligations that must be fulfilled. That distinction matters enormously for tax purposes, as we'll cover later.
Cross-option agreements are the most common structure for shareholder protection in the UK, particularly when funded by life insurance policies.
How Cross-Option Agreements Work: Call Options and Put Options Explained
A cross-option agreement has two components that work together: the call option and the put option.
The Call Option: Surviving Shareholders' Right to Buy
The call option gives surviving shareholders the right to purchase the deceased's shares. They would exercise this option when they want to maintain control, prevent outsider involvement, and protect business strategy.
Marcus and Priya co-own a software company. Marcus holds 40% of the shares, Priya holds 60%. When Marcus dies, Priya exercises her call option to buy Marcus's shares because she doesn't want Marcus's brother—who knows nothing about software development—involved in business decisions.
Priya pays the agreed price to Marcus's estate and becomes the 100% owner. The business continues without disruption.
The Put Option: Deceased's Estate Right to Sell
The put option gives the deceased's estate the right to force the surviving shareholders to buy the shares. The estate would exercise this option when it needs to convert illiquid shares to cash for the inheritance tax bill or to provide income for dependents.
Following Marcus's death, his estate faces a £180,000 inheritance tax bill. His widow exercises the put option to force Priya to buy the shares, providing cash to pay HMRC and support the family.
Priya must purchase the shares at the agreed price, even if the timing isn't perfect for her cash flow. That's why life insurance funding is essential.
How the Options Work Together
Both options exist simultaneously. Whichever side exercises first triggers the transaction. The exercise period is typically 6 to 24 months from death to allow time for probate, professional valuation, and funding arrangements.
| Call Option (Survivors) | Put Option (Estate) |
|---|---|
| Right to BUY deceased's shares | Right to SELL deceased's shares |
| Protects business control | Provides liquidity for family |
| Survivors choose timing | Estate can force sale |
Cross-Option vs Single Option Agreements: Which Is Right for Your Business?
The structure you choose depends critically on whether you're covering death only or including critical illness cover.
Cross-Option Agreement: Both Parties Have Rights
A cross-option agreement gives both sides reciprocal options. This is the standard structure for death-only policies.
The advantage is certainty for both sides. The estate knows it can convert shares to cash. Survivors know they can buy out the deceased's shareholding and maintain control.
The disadvantage emerges with critical illness cover. If a shareholder is diagnosed with cancer but has a good prognosis, the surviving shareholders could force them to sell immediately. That creates a capital gains tax liability and potentially removes valuable business property relief from their estate.
Single Option Agreement: Only One Party Has Rights
A single option agreement gives only the put option to the critically ill or deceased shareholder's estate. Surviving shareholders cannot force a purchase.
This structure is generally preferred for critical illness policies because it protects the ill shareholder from forced sale.
Sarah, 38, is diagnosed with breast cancer. Under a cross-option agreement with critical illness cover, her business partners could force her to sell her 33% shareholding immediately. After successful treatment, Sarah wants to return to work but has already been forced out. She now owes £45,000 in capital gains tax on the sale.
Under a single option agreement, Sarah would choose whether to sell or retain her shares based on her health prognosis and recovery prospects.
Recommendation Matrix
For death-only policies, use a cross-option agreement. This is the standard structure providing certainty for all parties.
For critical illness policies, use a single option agreement. This protects the ill shareholder from forced sale they may regret.
For combined cover, you may need a hybrid structure or separate agreements—one cross-option for death, one single option for critical illness.
Funding Cross-Option Agreements with Life Insurance
Without funding, a cross-option agreement creates a legal obligation you can't fulfill. That forces business asset sales, external borrowing, or agreement failure.
Why Insurance Is Essential
Each shareholder takes out a life insurance policy on their own life for the benefit of the other shareholders. The policy sum matches their shareholding value.
Tom and Lisa are 50-50 partners in an £800,000 landscaping business. Tom takes out £400,000 life insurance in trust for Lisa. Lisa takes out £400,000 in trust for Tom.
When Tom dies, Lisa receives £400,000 directly from the insurance trust and uses it to buy Tom's shares from his estate. Tom's widow receives £400,000 cash. Lisa retains 100% business ownership. No business assets were sold.
Trust Structure Matters
Policies are written in trust for the other shareholders—not the deceased's estate. This is called an "own life in trust" structure.
The trust structure keeps insurance proceeds outside the deceased's estate for inheritance tax. The payout goes directly to the buyers to fund the purchase. This avoids the money being taxed as part of the estate before being used to buy shares.
Regular Revaluation Required
Business value changes over time. Your insurance amounts must be updated every 2 to 3 years to avoid under-insurance or over-insurance.
Three equal shareholders in a £3 million business each need £1 million life insurance initially. If the business grows to £4.5 million, they now need £1.5 million each. Without updating, there's a £500,000 shortfall per shareholder.
What Happens Without Insurance
Surviving shareholders may be legally obligated to buy shares but unable to afford them. This forces the sale of business property, vehicles, or equipment. It may require external borrowing at unfavorable rates. Or the agreement fails entirely, and you're back to having the deceased's family as unwanted co-owners.
Set a calendar reminder to review valuations and insurance coverage every two years.
Tax Benefits: How Cross-Option Agreements Preserve Business Property Relief
Business Property Relief is one of the most valuable tax reliefs available to UK business owners. It can reduce inheritance tax on your company shares from 40% to 0%—potentially saving your estate hundreds of thousands of pounds.
But there's a trap. If your cross-option agreement is drafted incorrectly, you lose this relief entirely.
Business Property Relief Explained
BPR currently provides 100% inheritance tax relief on qualifying unlisted company shares. This reduces a £2 million shareholding inheritance tax from £800,000 to £0.
From April 2026, new rules limit the 100% relief to the first £1 million of qualifying property, with 50% relief above that threshold. Even with these changes, 50% relief is far better than no relief at all.
The Binding Contract Trap
According to HMRC guidance, HMRC doesn't allow BPR if shares are "subject to a binding contract for sale" at the date of death.
If your cross-option agreement says shareholders must buy and sell on death, HMRC treats it as a binding contract. Relief denied.
Correct Drafting: Options Not Obligations
Your agreement must create options (rights) not obligations (requirements). The language matters.
"The surviving shareholders shall have the option to purchase..." preserves BPR.
"The surviving shareholders must purchase..." loses it.
This isn't a technicality. It's the difference between qualifying for relief and being denied.
The Financial Impact
Graham owns 60% of his family recruitment business, worth £1.5 million. His share is worth £900,000.
With a properly drafted cross-option agreement using option language, Business Property Relief applies. Inheritance tax: £0.
With a poorly drafted "must buy" agreement creating a binding obligation, BPR is denied. Inheritance tax: £360,000 (£900,000 × 40%).
Graham's solicitor charged £2,500 to draft the agreement correctly. That fee just prevented a £360,000 tax bill. Return on investment: 14,300%.
Other Tax Considerations
Stamp duty of 0.5% is payable on share transfers—this is unavoidable.
The estate benefits from capital gains tax uplift on death, so there's no CGT on the sale by the estate.
If you've used the Enterprise Investment Scheme, be careful. Put and call options granted within certain periods can disqualify EIS relief. Get specialist advice.
Setting Up a Cross-Option Agreement: The Step-by-Step Process
Implementing a cross-option agreement takes 6 to 12 weeks from initial discussion to full protection. Here's the process.
Step 1: Shareholder Agreement (1-2 weeks)
All shareholders agree in principle to the cross-option arrangement. Discuss funding mechanisms, valuation methods, and option exercise periods.
This is where you address difficult questions. Will valuation be by independent accountant or formula-based? What happens if someone can't get life insurance due to health issues?
Step 2: Business Valuation (2-4 weeks)
Obtain a professional valuation or agree on a formula-based method in your Articles of Association. Common formulas include three times EBITDA, net asset value, or independent accountant valuation.
The valuation determines how much life insurance each shareholder needs. Under-valuing creates insufficient funding. Over-valuing increases insurance premiums unnecessarily.
Step 3: Legal Drafting (2-4 weeks)
A solicitor drafts the cross-option agreement. It must comply with your company's Articles of Association and any existing shareholders agreement. It must use the correct "option" language to preserve Business Property Relief.
Never use a template. The £2,000 to £5,000 solicitor fee protects against losing tax relief worth tens or hundreds of thousands.
Step 4: Life Insurance Setup (2-6 weeks)
Each shareholder applies for life insurance. Medical underwriting takes time—expect health questionnaires and possibly medical examinations. Policies are written in trust for the other shareholders.
This step can run in parallel with legal drafting to save time.
Step 5: Trust Deed Execution (1 week)
Link life insurance policies to the cross-option agreement via trust deeds. This ensures the insurance payout goes to the right parties to fund the share purchase.
The trust deed specifies that insurance proceeds are held for the benefit of other shareholders, not the deceased's general estate.
Step 6: Company Approval (if required)
Depending on your Articles of Association, you may need a directors' resolution or shareholder resolution to approve the arrangement.
Check your Articles before starting. Some restrict share transfers or require director approval, which could make your agreement unenforceable without amendments.
Step 7: Execution and Storage
All parties sign the agreement. Keep copies with your solicitor, company secretary, and each shareholder. Inform your accountant and financial adviser so they can factor it into tax planning and business valuations.
Who You Need
You'll need a solicitor experienced in shareholder agreements to draft the cross-option agreement and trust deeds. Don't attempt this yourself.
An independent financial adviser arranges life insurance policies and trust structures.
Your accountant provides business valuation or the valuation formula and advises on tax implications.
All shareholders must engage with the process and undergo insurance medical assessments.
Example Timeline
Oliver, Mia, and Ethan are equal shareholders in a £900,000 consultancy. They decide to implement a cross-option agreement in January.
By March, they have the agreement drafted, £300,000 life insurance policies in place for each shareholder, and full protection operational.
Total cost: £3,200 solicitor fees, £450 IFA fee, £1,800 per year combined insurance premiums. Their £900,000 business is now protected. Their families can receive cash on death. The surviving partners maintain control.
What Happens Without a Cross-Option Agreement?
The default legal position is straightforward. The deceased's shares pass according to their will (or intestacy if no will) to beneficiaries—spouse, children, or other heirs.
That's when problems begin.
Consequence 1: Unwanted Co-Owners
Surviving shareholders now find themselves in business with the deceased's spouse or children, who may have no business experience, different objectives, or conflicting interests.
The new owners want income through dividends. The active shareholders want growth through reinvestment. Deadlock.
A plumbing business with two partners faces this exact scenario. The active partner wants to invest £100,000 in a new van fleet to expand capacity. The deceased partner's widow needs dividend income to replace her husband's lost salary. Neither can proceed without the other's consent. The business stagnates.
Strategic conflicts emerge. Family owners resist business risk. Active owners need to innovate to compete. Every major decision becomes a negotiation with someone who doesn't understand the industry.
Consequence 2: Illiquid Inheritance
The deceased's family receives shares but cannot easily sell them. There's no ready market for minority stakes in private companies.
This creates an inheritance tax problem. The estate owes cash inheritance tax but the only significant asset is unsellable shares.
The family pressures surviving shareholders to buy shares at fire-sale prices. Surviving shareholders may not have the cash available. Everyone loses.
Consequence 3: Business Vulnerability
Uncertainty damages business value. Clients worry about stability and start looking at competitors. Banks review loan covenants and may recall facilities. Key employees become nervous and update their CVs.
The business value declines precisely when the estate needs maximum value to pay inheritance tax and support dependents.
Consequence 4: Legal Disputes
Surviving shareholders and the deceased's family end up in costly litigation over valuation, deadlocked decisions, or forced sale terms.
Shareholder dispute litigation averages £50,000 to £150,000 in legal fees. The only winners are the solicitors.
Real Consequence
A tech startup with four equal founders had no cross-option agreement. When one founder died at 32 in a cycling accident, his shares passed to his parents.
The parents wanted to sell for £250,000 cash (company valued at £1 million). The surviving founders couldn't afford to buy—they were early-stage and cash-poor.
The parents threatened to sell shares to a competitor. Investors forced a fire-sale acquisition at 60% discount to avoid chaos.
Surviving founders lost the business they'd built. The parents received £150,000 instead of £250,000. Everyone lost.
With Cross-Option Agreement
Same situation, but with a cross-option agreement backed by £250,000 life insurance on each founder.
Insurance pays out £250,000 to the surviving founders. They buy the deceased founder's shares from his parents for £250,000. The parents get full value in cash. The business continues undisrupted. Investors are happy. Employees feel secure.
The difference: £2,500 in legal fees and £600 per year in insurance premiums.
Common Mistakes to Avoid with Cross-Option Agreements
Mistake 1: Using Generic Template Agreements
Off-the-shelf templates don't comply with your specific Articles of Association. They don't accommodate different share classes. They use wrong BPR-losing language.
Lost Business Property Relief can cost £100,000 or more in unnecessary inheritance tax.
Always use a solicitor experienced in shareholder agreements. Bespoke drafting is worth the £2,000 to £5,000 fee.
Mistake 2: Setting Up Insurance Without Completing Legal Agreement
Life insurance policies are in place but no executed cross-option agreement exists. The insurance payout has no legal framework directing who buys shares at what price.
Insurance proceeds are paid to the wrong party, or the estate and survivors dispute the use of funds.
The legal agreement must be executed before or simultaneously with insurance policies.
Mistake 3: Failing to Update Agreement When Business Value Changes
The business was worth £500,000 when the agreement was signed. It's now worth £2 million. Insurance only covers £500,000.
Surviving shareholders receive £500,000 insurance but are obligated to buy £2 million worth of shares. The £1.5 million shortfall forces business asset sales.
Review and update your valuation and insurance cover every 2 to 3 years. Set a calendar reminder.
Mistake 4: Incorrectly Drafting as "Must Buy" Instead of "May Buy"
The agreement says shareholders "must" or "shall" buy shares (binding obligation) instead of "may" or "have the option to" (option).
HMRC treats this as a binding contract for sale. Business Property Relief is lost. You face a huge inheritance tax bill.
Your solicitor must use exact "option" language throughout the agreement.
Mistake 5: Ignoring Articles of Association Restrictions
The cross-option agreement gives shareholders the right to buy and sell, but your company's Articles of Association restrict share transfers or require director approval first.
The agreement is unenforceable. Attempted share transfers are blocked by the company.
Check Articles compliance before drafting. Amend your Articles if needed before executing the cross-option agreement.
Mistake 6: Not Coordinating with Personal Wills
Your cross-option agreement is in place but your personal will contradicts it. Your will leaves shares to a specific child, but the agreement gives other shareholders the option to buy.
Executors are confused. Beneficiaries dispute whether the agreement or will takes precedence. This creates delays and legal costs.
Your personal will should reference the cross-option agreement and instruct executors to comply with its terms.
Mistake 7: Using Cross-Option for Critical Illness Cover
The agreement includes a critical illness trigger but uses a cross-option structure. The critically ill shareholder is forced to sell against their will.
The shareholder loses business ownership they may want to return to. They face a capital gains tax liability and a potential inheritance tax problem.
Use a single option agreement for critical illness where only the ill shareholder has a put option.
Cross-Option Agreements and Your Personal Will: How They Work Together
A cross-option agreement doesn't replace your will. It sits alongside it, and both documents must work together seamlessly.
Why Both Are Needed
The cross-option agreement governs what happens to shares—who can buy them, at what price, and when. Your personal will governs who inherits the proceeds from the share sale—spouse, children, trust, or other beneficiaries.
Your executor must identify the existence of the cross-option agreement by locating a copy in your papers. They notify other shareholders of your death, triggering the option exercise period. They obtain a professional valuation of shares if required by the agreement terms.
They decide whether to exercise the put option—usually they will, because it converts shares to cash. They complete the share transfer and collect payment. Finally, they distribute the proceeds according to your will.
What Your Will Should Say
Your will should reference the agreement: "My shareholding in ABC Limited is subject to a cross-option agreement dated 15 March 2024. My executors should comply with the terms of that agreement and cooperate with any option exercise by the surviving shareholders."
Include instructions for executors: "If my personal representatives receive an offer to purchase my shares under the cross-option agreement, they are authorized to accept such offer and transfer the shares accordingly."
This clarifies to beneficiaries that they will inherit cash proceeds, not the shares themselves.
Example Scenario
Daniel, 45, has a cross-option agreement for his 40% shareholding in an £800,000 tech company. His will directs the share sale proceeds (£320,000) to a testamentary trust for his two children, ages 12 and 9, rather than outright inheritance.
When Daniel dies, his executors exercise the put option and receive £320,000. They transfer this to the trust. The money is protected and managed for his children until they reach adulthood.
Without the will mentioning the cross-option agreement, executors might not have known the agreement existed or been authorized to act on it.
WUHLD Integration
Shareholders with cross-option agreements must also have up-to-date wills. Your will directs who receives share sale proceeds, avoiding intestacy. It appoints executors capable of handling business matters. It minimizes inheritance tax on your entire estate, not just business shares.
Your cross-option agreement protects your business partners. Your personal will protects your family. Both documents must coordinate perfectly.
How Much Does a Cross-Option Agreement Cost?
Understanding the costs helps you budget and make informed decisions.
One-Time Setup Costs
Solicitor fees for agreement drafting range from £1,500 to £5,000 or more, depending on the number of shareholders, business structure complexity, connected documents needed, and solicitor location and expertise.
For a typical 2-shareholder standard setup, expect £2,000 to £3,000.
Trust deed drafting costs £500 to £1,000. This may be included in a solicitor package.
Business valuation, if you need a professional assessment rather than using a formula, costs £1,000 to £5,000.
IFA arrangement fees range from £0 to £750. Some advisers work on commission from insurers.
Ongoing Annual Costs
Life insurance premiums vary dramatically by age, health, smoking status of each shareholder, insurance amount needed, and policy type.
A 35-year-old non-smoker needing £500,000 cover on a 25-year term pays £25 to £35 per month, or £300 to £420 per year.
A 50-year-old non-smoker needing £500,000 cover on a 20-year term pays £60 to £80 per month, or £720 to £960 per year.
Agreement review costs £500 to £1,000 every 3 to 5 years when your solicitor reviews and updates valuation and insurance amounts.
Total Cost Scenarios
Scenario 1: Two Young Founders
Business value: £400,000 (£200,000 each). Shareholders: Both age 30, healthy, non-smokers.
Setup: £2,500 solicitor plus £500 trust deeds equals £3,000.
Annual: £300 per year insurance each equals £600 per year total.
Three-year cost: £3,000 plus £1,800 equals £4,800.
Scenario 2: Three Established Partners
Business value: £1.5 million (£500,000 each). Shareholders: Ages 42, 45, 48, all healthy.
Setup: £3,500 solicitor plus £800 trust deeds plus £2,000 valuation equals £6,300.
Annual: £700 plus £850 plus £950 equals £2,500 per year total.
Three-year cost: £6,300 plus £7,500 equals £13,800.
Cost vs Consequence Comparison
Cost to set up properly: £3,000 to £10,000.
Cost of shareholder dispute litigation: £50,000 to £150,000 or more.
Lost Business Property Relief from poor drafting: £100,000 to £500,000 or more in unnecessary inheritance tax.
Business value destroyed in a forced fire sale without an agreement: 30% to 60% discount.
ROI Perspective
A £3,000 to £10,000 investment protects against £100,000 to £1 million or more in potential losses. Most business owners spend more on marketing or equipment without this level of downside protection.
Budget-Conscious Options
Some solicitors offer fixed-fee packages for standard 2 to 3 shareholder agreements at £2,000 to £2,500.
You can take a phased approach—execute the cross-option agreement first and add life insurance funding within 3 to 6 months. The agreement still has value without insurance, though it's limited.
Use an IFA who works on insurance commission if you're budget-constrained, avoiding upfront advice fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is a cross-option agreement in the UK?
A: A cross-option agreement (also called a double option agreement) is a legal contract between business shareholders that gives surviving shareholders the right to buy a deceased shareholder's shares (call option), and gives the deceased's estate the right to sell those shares (put option). It's typically funded by life insurance policies to ensure surviving partners can afford to purchase the shares.
Q: How much does a cross-option agreement cost with a solicitor?
A: Solicitor fees for drafting a cross-option agreement typically range from £1,500 to £5,000+, depending on business complexity and number of shareholders. This doesn't include the ongoing cost of life insurance policies, which fund the share purchase. Many solicitors offer fixed-fee packages.
Q: What's the difference between a cross-option agreement and a single option agreement?
A: A cross-option agreement gives both parties rights (surviving shareholders can buy AND the estate can sell). A single option agreement only gives one party rights—typically the critically ill or deceased shareholder's estate can sell, but surviving shareholders can't force a purchase. Single option agreements are preferred for critical illness cover.
Q: Does a cross-option agreement affect Business Property Relief?
A: A properly drafted cross-option agreement preserves 100% Business Property Relief for inheritance tax purposes because it creates options (rights) rather than binding obligations to buy/sell. However, from April 2026, new rules limit BPR to £1 million at 100%, with 50% relief above that threshold for most unlisted shares.
Q: Can I use a template cross-option agreement?
A: While template agreements exist, solicitors strongly advise against them. Generic templates often fail to comply with your company's Articles of Association, don't accommodate different shareholder classes, and may not preserve tax reliefs. A poorly drafted agreement can lose Business Property Relief worth tens or hundreds of thousands in inheritance tax.
Q: Do I need life insurance for a cross-option agreement?
A: Life insurance isn't legally required, but it's essential in practice. Without insurance funding, surviving shareholders may be legally obligated to buy shares but unable to afford them, forcing business asset sales or external borrowing. Policies are typically written in trust for the benefit of other shareholders.
Q: What happens if we don't have a cross-option agreement?
A: Without a cross-option agreement, a deceased shareholder's shares pass to their beneficiaries (spouse, children, etc.) under their will or intestacy rules. The business could end up with inactive owners, family disputes over dividends vs reinvestment, and potential forced sales. Surviving partners have no guaranteed way to maintain control.
Conclusion
Key takeaways:
- Cross-option agreements prevent business chaos and family disputes when a shareholder dies—protect your business partners and your family's inheritance simultaneously
- Get professional drafting from an experienced solicitor—generic templates lose tax reliefs worth £100,000 or more
- Fund your agreement with life insurance written in trust so surviving partners can afford to buy shares without destroying the business
- Review your agreement every 2 to 3 years as business value changes—insurance and valuations must match current shareholdings
- Coordinate your cross-option agreement with your personal will—the agreement directs what happens to shares, your will directs who inherits the proceeds
You've invested years building your business alongside your partners. You trust each other to make good decisions for clients, employees, and growth.
Now extend that trust to protecting each other's families when the unthinkable happens. Ensure your business partnership survives beyond your lifetime, and your family receives the financial security your shares represent.
Your cross-option agreement protects your business succession. Your personal will protects everything else—your family's inheritance, your children's guardians, and how your entire estate is distributed. Create your legally binding will with WUHLD in just 15 minutes online for £99.99 (vs £650+ for a solicitor).
You'll receive your complete will plus a Testator Guide, Witness Guide, and Complete Asset Inventory. You can preview your entire will free before paying anything.
Preview Your Will Free – No Payment Required
Related Articles
- Key Person Insurance and Your Estate Plan: UK Business Guide
- How to Protect Your Estate from Business Debts
- Using Trusts to Protect Your Estate
- Unmarried Couples: Why You Urgently Need a Will
- Wills for Dentists and Practice Owners
- Wills for Doctors and Medical Professionals
Legal Disclaimer:
This article provides general information only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. WUHLD is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Laws and guidance change and their application depends on your circumstances. For advice about your situation, consult a qualified solicitor or regulated professional. Unless stated otherwise, information relates to England and Wales.
Sources:
- Business Relief for Inheritance Tax - GOV.UK
- Summary of Reforms to Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief - GOV.UK
- HMRC Internal Manual: Contracts for Sale and Shareholdings - GOV.UK
- Companies Act 2006 Section 771 - Legislation.gov.uk
- What Is Shareholder Protection? A Complete Guide - Royal London for Advisers
- Share Protection - Legal & General