In coming years, millions of Baby Boomers — those born between 1946 and 1964 — are expected to retire in the U.S. In fact, by some estimates nearly a quarter of this country’s population will be aged 65-or-older within a few decades.
An effective estate plan uses a collection of documents and teamwork to protect one’s assets and personal property. An effective estate plan also explains and carries intentions of how to pass control down to successors in the event of your absence.
Small business owners have their hands overflowing with issues, and they devote most of their time to matters related to the smooth running of the business. Having no time to think about other matters, they do not bother about estate planning for them.
You may be running your business for years without any thoughts of selling and then suddenly receive an offer to buy your firm. It could be from a private equity group, a competitor or a key customer or supplier.
No one can predict the future—and navigating that reality is precisely what makes estate planning so complicated.
Studies have shown that the number of family businesses owned by second generations and third generations dramatically decline for a number of reasons. One large reason is the lack of business succession planning for the family business.
Planning is one of the most important aspects of managing any business. This is especially true for farms and agribusinesses, due to their complexity and the inherent uncertainties associated with agriculture.
We currently have the highest estate tax exemption and the lowest intra-family interest rates in history. That combination alone is significant, but when mixed with the potential for lower estate and gift tax exemptions and depressed business valuations, you have a potent catalyst for transitioning ownership.
During estate planning, one of the situations that you must plan for is the possible sale of real estate, artwork, and especially operating family businesses. What is sometimes overlooked in planning is what happens after there has been such a sale.
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