Business owners know the hard work, determination, and attention to detail that goes into building a company. A successful company, especially a family-owned one, may be an important component of an individual’s legacy.  This is just one reason that estate planning is so important for business owners. Thoughtful Palm-City business estate planning has great impact on a business owner’s legacy because properly drafted estate plan documents may help keep the company running smoothly. Fortunately, there are estate planning tools for business owners.

Palm-City Business estate planning includes succession planning.

Buy-Sell Agreements tell a company with more than one owner how to handle a co-owner’s interest when that person’s involvement has ended. Provisions in these agreements may:

  • Provide other owners the opportunity to buy the interest before other buyers;
  • Indicate how to calculate the value of the ownership interest;
  • State how the partners will pay for the interest; and
  • Restrict who can buy an ownership interest in the company.

These agreements can be negotiated when operational documents are signed or during the company’s existence. They can also be prepared as one component of a business owner’s estate plans.

Traditional Estate Planning Documents

The business succession plan should be designed in conjunction with other estate planning documents to avoid confusion. When a business owner drafts a will, trust, and durable power of attorney with an attorney’s assistance, business concerns should be taken into consideration. For example, if a business owner leaves his spouse everything in his will, but fails to mention his business succession plans, chaos and litigation could ensue. The company could be neglected or mismanaged while heirs and business partners try to work out the continued operation of the company or how to buy out the deceased partner’s interest. Of course, this is not ideal for anyone involved.

Get Advice From a Palm-City Business Planning Lawyer

Make sure your company’s interests play a part in your estate planning. John Mangan is an experienced Florida estate planning attorney who has been board certified in Wills, Trusts & Estates by the Florida Bar. At Law Offices of John Mangan, P.A., we have developed business succession plans for business owners across the state of Florida. Call us today to set up an appointment or use our Contact Form.

For more information, visit:

Business Succession Planning
Role of a Stuart Business Planning Lawyer
Estate Planning Tips Every Successful Business Owner Should Know
Planning Business Succession in Palm City