The Importance Of Business Planning

If you want to start a business of your own, or are in the early stages of doing so, you are no doubt feeling a certain amount of stress. Your business will require a great deal of time, money and "sweat," and it will probably represent one of your most valuable assets. This is why you need an effective business plan, and in particular, a solid formation strategy.

Your formation strategy must take into account the possibility of rapid growth while at the same time provide protection against potential short and long-term losses. It must also shield personal and family assets from any losses associated with the business itself. Finally, your plan must protect your business from a wide range of potential threats, including lawsuits, the inability of loved ones to access assets if you become incapacitated, the manner and timing of your exit from the business, tax minimization, and problematic partners and employees.

All of this makes choosing the right business entity extremely important. What is the ideal entity for you? Here is a short introduction to some of the most common approaches.

Sole Proprietorship

Sole Proprietorships are generally suitable for self-employed people who have not formally organized their business.

Partnership

Partnerships can be informal or formal agreements between individuals who agree to work together and share both profits and losses. Partnerships can be General, wherein all parties share profits, losses and liability. There are also Limited Partnerships, in which one (or more) of the partners contributes capital, shares in profit or loss, but is not actively involved in running the business.

Corporation

A Corporation is the most common type of business organization. It provides many important legal rights to owners, including limited liability, the ability to issue shares of transferable stock and greater flexibility in managing overall ownership structure. Through incorporation, owners have separate legal standing from the company and are protected against personal liability if the corporation itself is sued.  

Limited Liability Company

Limited Liability Companies combine the flexibility of Partnership with the protection of limited liability for owners, much like that inherent in a Corporation. Another benefit of an LLC is that it is considerably easier to create and register than a Corporation.

Given the importance that the success of your business will have on the overall well-being of your family, it is essential to choose the right business entity and have a properly designed plan in place for the future. I am here to help you every step of the way.

Estate Planning Fundamentals

Clients often ask me about the estate planning tools I use and what each of them can accomplish. Here is a list of the most commonly used tools and brief descriptions of their purpose.

Last Will and Testament

This allows you to specify "who gets what" when you pass away. Without your own Last Will and Testament, your assets will be distributed according to state guidelines. A Will also allows you to name guardians for your minor children. This is important because if something happens to you and your spouse, the state will decide who will have legal authority over your minor children. This could very well be a person or institution you would never have chosen to have such authority.

Durable Powers of Attorney

This allow you to name people of your own choosing to make decisions for you in the event of incapacity. A financial power of attorney for lets you name the person you want to make financial and legal decisions on your behalf.

Health Care Documents

A Health Care Proxy allows you to appoint people you trust to make decisions about your medical care. In addition, a Living Will allows you to choose, in advance, the types of medical treatments you want (or don't want) in an end-of-life situation.

HIPAA Authorization

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) established national standards to protect the privacy of patients' health care information by regulating the use and disclosure of "protected health information." A HIPAA Authorization ensures your loved ones and decision makers can gain access to medical information about your condition when they need it.

Trusts

There are many types of trusts, capable of helping you accomplish a variety of goals. However, when most people think about trusts, a revocable living trust is the one they have in mind. remain the same even as the benefit amount increases.

A revocable living trust allows you to maintain complete control over your assets while you are alive and after you have passed away. You don't have to transfer your assets to the trust all at once, you can do so over time and even add to the trust as you acquire new assets.

Other benefits of a revocable living trust include:

  • Avoiding probate. The probate process is time-consuming, needlessly expensive and exposes your assets and estate to public scrutiny
  • It can be changed over time, to compensate for changes in your financial and family situation
  • Basic wills can lead to disagreements among family members. A revocable living trust can help eliminate challenges to the will and ensure beneficiaries receive what you have intended for them
  • It allows for ongoing financial management. As your wealth accumulates, so too will assets in the trust

Contact me today to discuss additional estate planning tools and strategies that can help you achieve your particular goals.