Succession planning is one of the most important, and often one of the most challenging, issues facing farming families. Farms can often be structured in a complex way, meaning succession planning is rarely straightforward. Land ownership, trading operations and family expectations tend to evolve over generations, resulting in arrangements that can be legally complex and highly personal.Recent developments in agricultural property relief (APR) and business property relief (BPR) from inheritance tax (IHT) mean that traditional approaches to succession are no longer sufficient in a farming context. Therefore, early and thoughtful planning is essential to protect both the farm and the family relationships that sustain the business.Unique challenges of farming successionFarming businesses differ from other commercial enterprises in a fundamental aspect as ownership, control and day-to-day use are often distinct.It is not unusual for land to be owned by parents or grandparents, while the farming business is carried on through a partnership involving the next generation. In some cases, diversified activities, including holiday accommodation