If you have a family business that you want to leave behind for your children or grandchildren, it is important that you not only plan ahead, but that you also start easing the way for the transition.
Any estate plan is going to be more effective the more you plan ahead for what might happen and the more you prepare your heirs for what property and responsibility they will receive. However, for most estate plans that is not absolutely necessary.
Most estate plans will still work out fine if you wait to make plans and do not tell your family what will happen. But, estate plans that include a family business are different. They will not work out so fine.
It is vital that you plan ahead for them as the Wills, Trusts & Estates Prof Blog writes in "Preparing the Family Business for Succession."
For the family business to thrive after the current owner passes away, careful plans must be made for who will be in charge next. Everyone needs to know who will be in charge on day one and, to make that go as smoothly as possible, it is important that the next leader knows what he or she is supposed to do.
Ideally, the next leader should be groomed for the role by taking part in the business on a day-to-day basis and making decisions about it sooner rather than later. Even if all that is done, it is important to plan for any contingencies that might occur. A secondary plan for succession should also be in place.
If you have a family business, do not delay. Talk to an estate planning attorney about how you can make sure it succeeds when you are no longer running it.
Reference: Wills, Trusts & Estates Prof Blog (Oct. 6, 2016) "Preparing the Family Business for Succession."
