Start-ups

Ignorance is not bliss when it comes to starting a business. Unfortunately, from a legal standpoint, most business owners don’t know what they don't know. Use to relying on their own initiative and drive, many entrepreneurs attempt to accomplish the formation of their new venture all by themselves. When starting a new business, surrounding yourself with a team of good people is a strategy for success, and should include a business attorney, CPA and commercial insurance agent. Great leaders prevent problems before they happen, and great business owners realize the limitations of their expertise, and seek counsel, when appropriate.

Starting a business involves planning, making key financial decisions and completing a series of legal decisions such as:

Purchasing an Existing Business

Purchasing an existing business is a great opportunity to hit the ground running. However, there are inherent risks associated with an existing business from which the purchaser will want to assure protection. Key concerns are:

1. Asset Purchase verses a stock or equity purchase;

2. Selecting the right entity if only purchasing assets;

3. Completing all the necessary due diligence to assure the purchaser is not

 acquiring any unexpected problems, whether environmental, litigation or financial;

4. Assuring against future competition from the former owner;

5. Securing the transition of the needed expertise to transition the business.

As a seller of a business, legal representation can assure that liabilities, arising after the business is sold, do not come back to the former business owner. Whether purchasing or selling, BusinessLegal can counsel the purchaser or seller to assure the sale or acquisition is completed in a manner that protects the interests of the parties.

Taking Over the Family Business

Planning for the transition of a family owned business from one generation to the next is riddled with operational, equitable, asset protection and tax considerations. Often not all of the second generation family members are involved with the operation of the business. Planning for the operational succession of the business, and the equitable distribution of its value, are often dilemmas for the family business patriarchs. Family members, whom derive their income from the business, are concerned with protecting the business as first generation owners age. The tax burden of inheritance is also a consideration to be addressed. Developing a successful succession plan for the business involves the coordination with the owners’ estate plan to assure a seamless transition. BusinessLegal can help craft a plan to address, not only the operational needs of the business, but provide a comprehensive estate plan for the owners.