You have built your business from the ground up. You have invested a lifetime in it and want it to continue successfully into the future. Whether you intend to keep the business in the family or ensure a smooth transition if one of your partners leaves or passes away, an experienced business succession planning attorney can help prevent needless business dissolution.
I am Richard A. Sarner of Zeldes, Needle & Cooper, P.C., and I can work with you to create a seamless succession plan for your closely held business. In cases involving closely held businesses, disputes can arise involving ownership, intellectual property rights, the enforceability of contracts and other issues. I review your business, exposure to liability and current estate plan. I propose strategies for protecting your company and pre-empting attempts by others to lay claim to your business during probate.
I know that careful planning can ensure that your business flows to the people that you intend, with the least possible likelihood of conflict, loss of control, payment of taxes or unintended consequences. Many of the problems are easily controlled, such as making sure that life insurance beneficiaries are properly named and business formation documents outline succession. Through the careful use of buy-sell agreements, you can create contingency plans in case one of the principals is incapacitated, dies or simply wants out.
Business succession planning is just part of my wealth preservation practice. I offer estate planning tailored to my client’s needs. I also have access to substantial and cutting-edge resources as a member of WealthCounsel, Esq and the Wealth Strategies Collaborative®. I practice in numerous estate planning areas, including asset protection planning, wealth transfer, insurance planning and more.
With have more than 25 years of experience in estate planning, I have attained the prestigious Martindale-Hubbell® AV rating* and am listed in the Martindale-Hubbell® Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers™. In addition, I have co-authored the books, “Giving: Philanthropy for Everyone,” (Quantum Press, 2002) and “Love, Money, Control: Reinventing Estate Planning – Practical Answers from America’s Foremost Estate Planning Advisors” (Quantum Press, 2004).
If you are concerned about your business’ succession plan, contact me, Richard A. Sarner, on the contact page or by phone at 833-332-8670.