Estate Planning for Business Owners in
Mokena, IL
Serving the Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana Communities Since 1980!
Protecting the Business You’ve Built
As a business owner, your company isn’t just a source of income; it’s often your life’s work and a legacy you want to protect. Whether you run a small family business, a professional practice, or a growing enterprise, estate planning is essential to ensure your business continues to thrive even if you’re no longer able to manage it yourself. At Zapolis & Associates, we help business owners across Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana create clear, customized estate plans that safeguard their companies and protect their families. If you’re a business owner looking to start estate planning, contact Zapolis & Associates today to schedule a consultation.
The Importance of Estate Planning for Business Owners
Without a proper estate plan in place, your business could face unnecessary disputes, tax burdens, or even the risk of closure. A comprehensive plan helps ensure continuity by clearly outlining who will manage or inherit the business, while also protecting your family by preventing conflicts over ownership rights. It allows for a smooth succession to the next generation or chosen successor, incorporates strategies to reduce estate and transfer taxes, and safeguards both personal and business assets from potential creditors, lawsuits, or other risks.
Estate Planning Is For:
- Sole Proprietorships
- Partnerships (General & Limited)
- Limited Liability Companies (LLCs)
- Corporations (C-Corps and S-Corps)
- Professional Practices (medical practices, accounting firms, etc.)
- Franchise Owners
- Startups & Emerging Businesses
- Closely-Held or Privately-Held Companies
- Farms & Agricultural Enterprises
- Nonprofits with Business Interests
Tools & Strategies for Business Succession Planning
Our attorneys tailor estate planning tools to meet the needs of business owners, including:
- Buy-Sell Agreements – Legal contracts that determine what happens to a business owner’s share if they pass away, retire, or leave the company.
- Business Succession Plans – Clear instructions for transferring leadership or ownership to heirs, partners, or reliable managers.
- Trusts for Business Assets – Protect ownership interests and streamline the transfer process.
- Power of Attorney & Healthcare Directives – Ensure someone you can count on can make financial and legal decisions if you become incapacitated.
- Tax Planning Strategies – Reduce exposure to estate taxes and maximize what you pass on.
Mediation for Family Businesses
Many small and family-owned businesses face the additional challenge of balancing personal relationships with business decisions. Our attorneys provide mediation services to resolve disputes and keep family businesses intact. By working through succession issues, ownership disagreements, or management conflicts, mediation can preserve both family harmony and business success, even after you’re gone.
Estate Plan Today, Protect Your Business Tomorrow
The sooner you address your business estate planning, the more options you have to protect your family, employees, and legacy. Whether you’re just starting your business or preparing to transition it to the next generation, Zapolis & Associates can help you design a plan that fits your goals and safeguards your hard work. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn how we can protect your business for generations.
