Tips for Family Business Succession Planning
Statistics compiled by Forbes reveal that approximately 80 to 90% of businesses in the United States are either owned or controlled by families. Other data reveals that only one third of these businesses survive into the second generation of a family and that only 10% of businesses make it to the third generation. One of the reasons why businesses are not successfully passed between generations is lack of adequate estate planning. It is important to remember that there is simply no universal estate plan that works for every business, which is why options like online estate planning often does not work. Instead, it is critical to carefully consider the various ways to pass ownership of a business between family members. Obtain the assistance of an experienced estate planning lawyer who can help guide you in creating the right business succession plan. The following will review some helpful tips that you should remember when creating a strong succession plan for a family-owned business. Consider Changing the Business Structure If a business is structured as a sole proprietorship or a partnership, it is important to remember that these entities are viewed as comparable to personal assets of the owner and cannot be Read More