Currently, and within the next two decades, a generational change must take place in many businesses in Germany. This gives rise to a multitude of problems that arise before, during, and even after the handover. The author addresses the influencing factors of demographic change on the trades, particularly focusing on business succession. He provides an overview of the current situation and potential future developments in this area. Furthermore, he examines whether state and private support measures regarding this issue are sufficient and identifies areas where there is still potential for improvement.