When most business owners think about succession planning, they are thinking about themselves. What happens to my share? Who takes over my role? How does my family get paid out? Those are important questions, and they deserve answers. But there is a scenario that gets far less attention and can be just as financially devastating: […]

As a Bay Area trust and estate lawyer, I’m frequently asked about the intersection of trusts and business entities, particularly LLCs. The short answer is yes, a trust can own an LLC, but the details matter significantly. This ownership structure can offer valuable benefits for asset protection, tax planning, and succession planning—when implemented correctly. Understanding […]

As a business owner, you’ve poured your heart and soul into building your LLC. But have you considered what will happen to your company if you’re no longer around to run it? As a Santa Clara business planning lawyer, I’ve seen firsthand the chaos that can ensue when an LLC owner passes away without proper […]

The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) is poised to bring transformative changes to the U.S. business landscape, with a spotlight on corporate beneficial ownership reporting. This initiative represents a significant advancement in U.S. anti-money-laundering measures since the USA Patriot Act of 2001. But what does this mean for your small business or estate plan? Understanding the […]

Sole proprietorships are a common type of ownership interest where the business owner and the business are the same legal entity. The business owner of a sole proprietorship is personally responsible for any debts the business incurs. However, unlike a corporation, the sole proprietorship belongs to one person and is legally a business indistinct from […]

Creating and building a successful business is an incredibly difficult undertaking—and maintaining that success is usually even more challenging. Protecting that success, however, is a different story entirely. You must consider what will happen if you die or become incapacitated, if your business will be subjected to estate taxes once you pass away, or even […]

As a Silicon Valley trust lawyer, I can confidently say that small businesses are the backbone of this country. They employ more than half of the domestic workforce and contribute greatly to the economy. But did you know that nine out of every 10 small businesses are family-owned, and, more surprisingly, that most of those […]

Santa Clara Business Planning Lawyer: Your Business Should Be Ready for the Unexpected Business planning tends to revolve around where your business is right now and where you want it to be in the future. However, there is one aspect of business planning that many Santa Clara business owners overlook—what happens if you die unexpectedly. […]

Business planning tends to revolve around where you are right now, where you’re going in the near future, and, hopefully, where you’re going to be quite a ways down the road.  One aspect of business planning in California that is easily overlooked, however, is what happens to the business after you are gone.  Sure, there […]

Creating and building a successful business in Santa Clara County is incredibly difficult and maintaining that success is just as challenging. You hire accountants and lawyers to make sure you are protected from those who seek to take away what you have worked so hard to achieve, but are you protected from those that will […]