Helping Business Owners Preserve What Matters

Protecting Your Business, Assets, and Legacy

Running a business comes with built-in risk. From customer claims to tax liabilities and personal guarantees, even small business owners can face serious threats to their personal assets. At The Real Estate Law Firm in St. Charles, Illinois, we help entrepreneurs and business owners structure their operations to limit liability, safeguard personal property, and preserve generational wealth.

With experience in real estate, estate planning, and business law, our firm provides strategic legal counsel tailored to the specific needs of business owners throughout Kane, DuPage, Will, Lake, and McHenry Counties.

Key Risks for Business Owners

Even with the best intentions and operations, your business could be exposed to:

• Claims from injuries on business premises

• Vendor or supplier disputes

• Tax audits or unpaid obligations

• Breach of contract issues

• Professional liability (for licensed professionals)

Our job is to help ensure that your personal home, savings, and investments are not at risk due to your business activities.

Legal Structures That Shield Assets

Limited Liability Companies (LLCs): Forming an LLC is one of the most effective ways to protect personal assets. We help business owners draft customized operating agreements, set up Series LLCs for real estate or multi-entity structures, and ensure compliance with state and federal regulations.

S Corporations & Partnerships: Depending on your tax situation and long-term goals, an S-Corp or Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) may be more appropriate. We’ll help you weigh the pros and cons, structure your business accordingly, and protect your ownership rights.

Family Limited Partnerships (FLPs): For those passing down business interests to children or other heirs, FLPs offer strong asset protection and tax advantages. These tools also enable families to consolidate control over real estate and investments.

Estate Planning for Business Owners

We take a comprehensive approach to protecting your business and your family. Our estate planning strategies often include:

• Living Trusts to transfer ownership of business assets outside of probate

• Buy-Sell Agreements to prepare for ownership transitions

• Durable Powers of Attorney for financial management during incapacity

• Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts (ILITs) to reduce estate taxes and provide liquidity

Smart Tax and Succession Planning

Illinois imposes estate taxes on estates exceeding $4 million, which can have a serious impact on business owners and their families. We help you:

• Minimize estate taxes through gifting strategies and trust structuring

• Use insurance trusts to offset tax burdens

• Plan for business continuity through succession agreements

Avoid Common Mistakes

Too many business owners wait until it’s too late. Relying on informal agreements, holding property in personal names, or failing to separate business and personal finances are just a few examples that can jeopardize your long-term goals. We work with you to avoid these pitfalls with legally sound strategies.

Start Protecting What You’ve Built

Whether you need help forming an LLC, creating a trust, or drafting a complete succession plan, The Real Estate Law Firm is here to guide you. Our St. Charles-based attorneys serve clients throughout Northern Illinois with practical legal solutions and personal attention.

Call (630) 687-1070 today to schedule a consultation.