Resources
Success in succession
Looking after your wellbeing during succession and exit planning is fundamental and we have many resources to support you.
Recognising the human side
Personal is professional
Succession and exit planning are often described in technical terms – structures, timelines, insurance, regulatory steps. In practice, such technicalities unfold alongside busy workloads, long-standing professional relationships and significant personal change.
Succession planning does not happen in isolation. It can take place while continuing to carry responsibility for clients, staff and colleagues – often at a point in life when other pressures may be present. Even when planning is going well, it’s common for wellbeing to be affected during the process.
Acknowledging this makes succession and exit planning manageable, considered and less stressful.
Identity chrysalis
A legal practice is rarely ‘just’ a business. It can represent a veritable lifetime: years of professional effort, responsibility and identity. For principals and partners in particular, the role is intertwined with routine, status, purpose and connection.
As a result, planning for succession or exit brings mixed feelings. There may be relief at the prospect of stepping back but uncertainty about what comes next. Some solicitors delay decisions, stay involved longer than intended, or put off conversations when they know planning would be beneficial.
Such common responses during periods of professional transition do not indicate poor planning or lack of preparedness. Rather they reflect the reality that succession involves change.
Pressure refresher
Succession planning usually accelerates during periods of increased pressure: due to health concerns, fatigue, changes within a partnership, or unexpected personal circumstances. These are the moments when decision-making feels most difficult.
When workload and stress levels are high, it’s harder to think long-term, weigh options calmly or engage with complex planning. Decisions are postponed or made too quickly, in response to immediate pressures rather than long-term preferences.
Planning earlier, before such pressure escalates, supports clear judgement and personal wellbeing. There is space to reflect, discuss and choose, rather than react.
It’s good to talk
Sensitive or uncomfortable conversations are common during succession and exit planning. These may be with partners, family members, or colleagues with different expectations or timelines.
It is tempting to delay these discussions to maintain harmony or avoid uncertainty. But avoidance increases stress and makes conversations more difficult.
Starting discussions earlier – even informally – manages expectations, reduces pressure and protects relationships. Where conversations feel particularly complex, independent advice or facilitation provides structure and support.
How do you feel?
Solicitors are used to managing demanding situations independently. But in succession planning, decision-making, communication and capacity are all closely linked to wellbeing.
It is vital to tune in to how you feel. Signs of strain like persistent fatigue, increased stress, difficulty concentrating, or repeated postponement of planning are your impetus to seek support. Whether practical, professional or personal, seeking support early helps prevent difficulties later.
Simply, looking after yourself at this time supports clearer thinking, steadier decision-making and more sustainable outcomes.
Pause for power
Take a short pause to consider the questions below. Noting initial thoughts through quiet reflection or jotting down a few notes will clarify your next steps. Use the questions below as prompts for a conversation with a partner or adviser. This is about clearer focus, not immediate conclusions.
- How does my current workload affect my capacity to plan ahead?
- Are there conversations I have been postponing?
- Am I making decisions with enough time and space?
- What supports would make this process easier?
- What arrangements would I want in place if circumstances changed unexpectedly?
Line up your A-team
You don’t need to manage succession and exit planning alone. A combination of professional, medical and wellbeing support helps navigate periods of change more steadily. Seeking support early makes a significant difference. It is a responsible step to protect both your wellbeing and your professional capacity.
Professional and practice
- Use the Law Society’s Succession and Exit Planning guidance, including case studies and regulatory information.
- Consider independent professional advice (legal, financial or practice management) to help structure decisions and timelines.
- Where conversations feel particularly complex, mediated or facilitated discussions can clarify expectations and reduce strain on relationships.
Confidential support
- LegalMind is a confidential subsidised psychotherapy service provided by the Law Society for solicitors.
- If stress, fatigue or health concerns are affecting your wellbeing, go to your GP in the first instance.
If you are feeling overwhelmed or at risk, experiencing significant distress, or feel unable to cope, seek immediate support:
- Samaritans – 116 123 (24/7, free)
- Text HELLO to 50808 – a free, confidential text support service (Ireland)
- In an emergency, contact 999 or 112
What the research says
You may find it helpful to explore wider external research on planning, professional transitions and retirement. The resources below provide background insight into why early planning, identity change and decision-making capacity matter during succession and exit.
