WHY YOUR ESTATE AND BUSINESS LAWYER SHOULD BE THE SAME PERSON

By Attorney Edward Jesson

Business owners make daily decisions that affect not only their company, but also their personal finances, family, and long-term legacy. However, many business owners will separate their business-related legal needs and personal legal needs without realizing how deeply those areas overlap. Working with a single law firm that understands both helps to reduce risk and ensure that their long-term goals are properly aligned.

For business owners, oftentimes their largest asset is their business.  Decisions regarding ownership equity, succession, taxes, and liability can directly impact that person’s estate plan. When working with separate attorneys for business and estate planning matters, the chance that a business document and an estate planning document are going to be in conflict with one another increases. That conflict can lead to all sorts of problems down the road that might not be discovered until after the business owner has passed away or become incapacitated.

​Choosing the same attorney to work on both business and estate planning needs can ensure that your business structure aligns with your estate planning goals; that your business succession plan matches your will and/or trust; that your trust is properly funded with business assets; and generally can help make sure that planning for the future of both your business and family is on the same page. Moreover, in utilizing the same attorney for your business and estate planning needs, you will likely realize some cost savings due to the fact that work is not being duplicated by two separate firms and the increased efficiency of working with one team that understands all of your goals.

Hiring the same attorney for your estate planning and business needs isn’t just about convenience--it’s about strategy, consistency, and long-term protection for you, your family, and your business. The attorneys at Jesson & Rains recognize that your business and personal lives are deeply connected and are ready to assist you in planning for the future.