For family and closely held businesses, succession planning is not optional. Without it, the business will not survive and there will be no related legacy. We help implement a balanced strategy that promotes and protects the needs of both the family and the business. This often involves separate transitions of management and ownership and assistance with family meetings to discuss and plan these transitions. Our dedicated family business attorneys represent families of all sizes, from small businesses to large multi-billion-dollar international organizations. We are passionate about guiding clients through all areas of succession planning, tax planning, gift planning and various value-freezing and sale techniques – all designed to strengthen your business and secure your family bond while ensuring a lasting future.
experience
- Is Your Business Planning Ready for an Unexpected Incapacity or Death? Stress Testing Your Estate Planning – Step 2Legacy Matters
- Managing Cybersecurity Risk for Family Offices and BusinessesLegacy Matters
- Three Estate and Gift Tax Strategies to Consider Before Selling Your BusinessLegacy Matters
- Shared Ownership of Family Cottages, Part Three: Creating a Governance Agreement for a Shared PropertyLegacy Matters
- When Must a Fiduciary Relationship Exist to Establish Presumption of Undue Influence?Michigan Probate Litigation Cases & News
- A Reminder of a Fiduciary’s Duty to Use Forms Approved by the State Court Administrative OfficeMichigan Probate Litigation Cases & News
- When a Non-trustee Helps Administer the TrustMichigan Probate Litigation Cases & News
- May the Surviving Co-grantor of a Joint Trust Amend or Revoke the Trust After the Death of the First Grantor?Michigan Probate Litigation Cases & News
- Two Methods to Curtail a Litigious Beneficiary in Probate CourtMichigan Probate Litigation Cases & News
- More Marriages Being Contested In Probate LitigationMichigan Probate Litigation Cases & News
- Charitable Giving – Make It a Family DiscussionLegacy Matters
- October 17 – 21 Is National Estate Planning Awareness WeekLegacy Matters
- How To Be a Good Trust BeneficiaryLegacy Matters
- 2024 Midwest Securities Law Institute
- Meals on Wheels Western Michigan: Planned Giving Lunch and Learn
- ICLE 36th Annual Tax Conference
- Estate Planning: Demystifying Your Legacy
- National Family Law Trial Institute Litigation Seminar
- ICLE 64th Annual Probate & Estate Planning Institute Seminar
- Michigan Venture Capital Association’s Corporate Transparency Act Webinar
- The Current State of M&A in Michigan and Beyond
- Midland Business Alliance: What You Need to Know About the Corporate Transparency Act
- City Life Church Presents Financial Foundations
- Michigan Farm Bureau Presents: Take Root: Farm Succession and Estate Planning Conference
- ICLE 22nd Annual Family Law Institute
- ICLE Seminar: Pre- and Postnuptial Agreements
- Family Business Alliance 2023: Exploring Family Ownership Structures: Slicing the Pie
- Michigan Capital Network Fall Fund Update
- 63rd Annual Probate & Estate Planning Institute Seminar – Plymouth
- 63rd Annual Probate & Estate Planning Institute Seminar – Acme
- Transitioning Your Business … Selling Your Business … Succession Planning …
- Michigan Association of CPAs: Forensic Accounting and Valuation Services Conference
- Family Business Alliance Board of Directors Workshop
- 2018 FOX Trustees and Beneficiaries Workshop
- Webinar: 2015 Estate Planning Update for Family Offices
- Warner Partner Sara A. Nicholson Elected as Fellow to American College of Trust and Estate Counsel
- Raquel S. Sportel Joins Warner
- Annual Michigan Capital Network Fund Update
- Danelle Harrington Joins Stevens Center for Family Business Executive Council
- Warner Partner David L.J.M. Skidmore Elected Chair of Probate and Estate Planning Section of Michigan State Bar
- Six Warner Attorneys, Firm Named Top Leaders in Chambers High Net Worth 2021 Guide
- Warner Partner Gregory Demers Presents at Mackinac Center’s Virtual Estate Planning Event
- Laura Morris, Jennifer Remondino Named to 40 Under 40 Business Leaders 2020 Class
- 102 Warner Attorneys Rated 2021 Best Lawyers in America
- When a Prenuptial Agreement Isn’t an Option
- Mark Harder on Estate, Tax Planning Ideas for a COVID-19 Economy Holland Sentinal
- Executive Warner Partner Elected as Chair of Michigan West Coast Chamber of Commerce
- Mark K. Harder Elected Treasurer of the Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area
- Five Warner Attorneys Recognized as Leaders in Their Field in Chambers High Net Worth Guide
- Warner Names Eight Attorneys as Partners
- Two Warner Partners Named to Grand Rapids Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 List
- Is Your Business Planning Ready for an Unexpected Incapacity or Death? Stress Testing Your Estate Planning – Step 2
- Managing Cybersecurity Risk for Family Offices and Businesses
- Michigan’s New Uniform Power of Attorney Act
- Three Estate and Gift Tax Strategies to Consider Before Selling Your Business
- Warner Partner Beth O’Laughlin Philanthropic Article Featured in The West Coast Way Magazine
- Shared Ownership of Family Cottages, Part Three: Creating a Governance Agreement for a Shared Property
- When Must a Fiduciary Relationship Exist to Establish Presumption of Undue Influence?
- A Reminder of a Fiduciary’s Duty to Use Forms Approved by the State Court Administrative Office
- When a Non-trustee Helps Administer the Trust
- May the Surviving Co-grantor of a Joint Trust Amend or Revoke the Trust After the Death of the First Grantor?
- Two Methods to Curtail a Litigious Beneficiary in Probate Court
- More Marriages Being Contested In Probate Litigation
- Charitable Giving – Make It a Family Discussion
- October 17 – 21 Is National Estate Planning Awareness Week
- How To Be a Good Trust Beneficiary
- 10 Estate and Tax Planning Ideas for a Depressed Market
- Estate Planning Focus – Summer 2020
- Attorney Spotlight – Beth O’Laughlin
- Estate Planning Focus – Winter 2020