Family Owned Businesses

Who We Are

The Family Business Law Group has a long history of serving Pennsylvania’s family-owned businesses, recognizing their vital role in our economy. We address the unique challenges these businesses face, including strategic, succession, and estate planning.. Our team provides comprehensive, coordinated legal services tailored to meet the specific needs of family businesses, covering everything from strategic planning to commercial transactions and litigation.

What We Do

Succession Planning

We collaborate and partner with family business owners and their teams to plan and implement succession, addressing legal and non-legal issues such as selecting the next generation of leaders, maintaining culture through generational changes, financing generational transfers, obtaining releases of personal guarantees, minimizing tax impacts, and fostering professional relationships for the next generation.

Estate Planning

Often, the majority of the family business owner’s tangible net worth is in the business itself. We recognize the challenges involved in this type of estate planning and we work to ensure proper planning is in place to benefit the family and protect the family business, including creation of family foundations, trusts and buy-sell agreements.

Governance

Ownership of a family business is often concentrated among a few individuals, making governance complex. Different ownership structures can complicate decision-making, especially when consensus isn’t reached. With years of experience, we help owners navigate these challenges and develop tailored governance plans. We can also help develop family councils and family constitutions to help guide the company through generations.  We can also help develop and operate family offices.

Family Disputes

Internal disputes may arise in any business, but with a family-owned business, disputes often are between family members, which adds a unique dynamic to business management. We help owners and managers work through these issues and bring perspectives and solutions based on years of working alongside family businesses.

Family Business Center

We are committed to the growth and success of family businesses in our region. One outgrowth of that commitment is our almost 30-year sponsorship of the S. Dale High Family Business Center at Elizabethtown College. The Family Business Center is dedicated to actively assisting family businesses in addressing and resolving succession, management, ownership and strategic issues. Members of the Center attend special programs specifically designed for family business owners and their family members.

Presentations

• Family Business Center Webcast – Succession Planning for Family Businesses