“Expect the best. Prepare for the worst. Capitalize on what comes.” Zig Ziglar

No one wants to focus on their own mortality but most people still have some kind of an end-of-life plan that includes a will and a burial plot. Unfortunately, small business owners tend to forget that their small business could be the largest asset they leave their family … but only if they plan for their business to live longer than they do.

Birth, death, sickness, marriage, divorce, natural disasters…these are all variables that can change your life and the life of your business. Ignoring them is not the answer. A good business succession plan can protect your small business from all of them.

What are the advantages of creating a business succession plan? First, it ensures an agreeable price for a partner’s share of the business and eliminates the need for valuation upon death because the insured agreed to the price beforehand. Second, any life insurance policy benefits will be immediately available to pay for the deceased’s share of the business, with no liquidity issues or time constraints. This effectively prevents the possibility of an external takeover due to cash flow problems or the need to sell business or other assets to cover the cost of the deceased’s interest. And third, a succession plan can greatly aid in allowing for timely settlement of the deceased’s estate, including avoiding probate and the eliminating the estate tax.

What are the most common questions resolved by implementing a business succession plan?

1. Who will be my successor?

2. How much is my business worth?

3. What will happen to my business partners and their families?

4. How will my business be transferred to my partners or heirs?

5. What happens to my company if I become incapacitated?

6. Can I keep my relatives from inheriting my company?

7. How do I protect my spouse and children?

At Wild, Felice & Partners, PA, we are able to provide a full range of legal services to our business clients. Whether buying a new business, selling an old business, or operating a current business, our lawyers are trained to examine all aspects of business planning and see to it that all possible issues are addressed. We pride ourselves on providing accurate advice for your specific business needs. Our law firm provides the knowledge and experience of a large law firm, while giving our clients the hands-on service and attention to detail that only a smaller firm can truly offer. Our lawyers regularly go beyond the customary services, tailoring their work to the specific needs of each client.

Our attorneys are well versed in a wide variety of legal practice areas which allows us to provide our clients with one-stop shopping for all of their legal needs. Rather than having to seek various individual counsels and having the headache of managing your own legal issues and costs, we provide the convenience of one South Florida location for all of your legal needs. You will receive the quality work product of a large law firm and the low cost and high attention to detail that small law firms are valued for.

We realize that each client’s needs are unique and treat each of our clients as if they are our only client. We hope you will take the time to contact one of our attorneys and truly experience all of the benefits that our South Florida law firm has to offer. We are able to provide the expertise and guidance needed to develop a succession plan specifically tailored to your business. Our lawyers are trained to examine all aspects of business planning and see to it that all possible issues are addressed.

For more information on how to plan for you business’ future, contact our South Florida law firm of Wild, Felice & Partners, PA for a free consultation at (954) 944-2855.

It’s a Wild world. Are you protected?SM