With more and more Baby Boomers reaching the later stages of seniorhood, the media is abuzz over what’s being called “The Great Wealth Transfer.” This refers to the coming intergenerational transfer of wealth that will occur over the next few decades, as Boomers die and pass on their wealth to younger generations. Because no one […]
Read MoreChoosing a successor to take over your business doesn’t mean selecting someone who’s exactly like you or even someone you like. It’s about choosing someone who’s not only well-qualified for the role, but someone who also has the vision and skills to lead your company into the future. With so much riding on your decision, […]
Read MoreIt seems like every other week there’s another story of a multimillion-dollar family business that falls apart shortly after the current owner steps down or passes away. This sheds light on an ugly truth. Most family businesses are woefully unprepared for the existing owner to depart, especially if it’s unexpected, as is the case with […]
Read MoreLast week, we discussed three potential scenarios in which poor estate planning can cripple your business. However, the damage described in those three hypotheticals pales in comparison to what recently happened in real life to the owner of one of Canada’s hottest new startups. Gerald Cotten launched the cryptocurrency exchange QuardigaCX a little more than […]
Read MoreWhen running a business, it’s easy to give estate planning less priority than other matters. After all, if you’re facing challenges meeting next month’s payroll or your growth path over the immediate term, concerns over your potential incapacity or death can seem far less pressing. But the reality is considering what would happen to your […]
Read MoreWhile Facebook has recently developed user-friendly options for managing your personal profile in the event of your death, the company has yet to develop any streamlined way to handle your business accounts once you’re gone. Indeed, a Google search of “what happens to my Facebook account when I die” turns up tons of hits related […]
Read MoreAs a small business owner, you’ve likely spent plenty of time working with your business plan. But have you dedicated the same amount of time to planning for the continued success of your company after you retire? Or if you were to suddenly die or become incapacitated? If you’re like most business owners, the answer […]
Read MoreAll businesses big and small are responsible for protecting the personal and corporate data of their client base. This data can include everything from names and addresses to Social Security numbers and credit card account information. It’s not only good business sense to safeguard your customer data—it’s also a legal requirement. The Fair Credit Reporting […]
Read MoreIn 1988, Stroh’s Beer was one of America’s most impressive family fortunes, estimated by Forbes to be worth $9 billion in today’s dollars. Just two decades later, however, the massive beer empire, along with all of the family’s wealth, would disappear. Poor business decisions and bad investments were the primary cause of the company’s downfall. […]
Read MoreIf you’ve dreamed of leaving your company to your family but haven’t sufficiently included your business in your estate plan, that dream could become a nightmare for your heirs—and for your business’ team members and clients, too. To ensure your company is passed to your family in exactly the way you desire, you want to […]
Read MoreOperating a business dependent upon your skills and expertise makes you a very valuable person to your business, but could leave your income (and your family’s well-being) at risk if and when something happens to you. Maybe you have not considered how important estate planning is because you’ve just accepted the fact that your business […]
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