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Estate planning for business owners

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For business owners, it’s important to think ahead and not only protect the wealth of your business but also to protect your family. Being a business owner means you probably have a million things on the go but although you’re really busy, don’t ignore your own family’s needs.

WHEN YOU DON’T HAVE A WILL

Western Australian Public Trustee says in 2014, only 35% of adult Australians and 19% of families with young children had a current will.

If you don’t have a will in place when you die, or your will is invalid, you’re considered to have died ‘intestate’. This means an administrator appointed by the court pays your bills and taxes from your assets. They distribute whatever is left according to a formula.

So your assets may end up in different hands to those you intended. If you die intestate and don't have any living relatives, your estate goes to the state government. Cameron Research Group explains only 10% of business owners have a documented succession plan (sometimes known as a 'business will' or 'Buy Sell Agreement'). Taking time to properly consider how you want your wealth managed means your family will be provided for after your death.

YOUR ASSETS

Your assets generally fall into two categories – non-estate assets and estate assets.

Estate assets are dealt with under your will. These include personal items like jewellery, cars, cash, shares, property, loans and debts.

Non-estate assets aren’t dealt with under your will automatically. They need to be specified if they’re to be passed on as you wish. These include super, insurance benefits, family trusts and company assets.

WHAT DIFFERENT BUSINESS STRUCTURES MEAN FOR YOUR ASSETS

Sole traders

This is the easiest business structure; you note your assets in your will and allocate them to your beneficiaries. This can be family members or friends. You can’t specify how your assets will be used because control of your assets is given to the beneficiary.

You’ll need to keep in mind that, in the case where you need to sell your business, you can’t split the capital gain between family members, and a capital loss will impact the beneficiaries’ personal assets.

Partnership

To protect your share of your partnership, you’ll need your equity noted in a partnership agreement. Then your interest in the partnership can be passed on in a will. If you don’t do this and you retire or die, your interest in the business may go to the remaining partner/s.

Company

Your business assets are owned by the company rather than individual shareholders. If you’re a company director, your shares can be passed on through your will. But, if you own your shares via a family trust, control will be passed in accordance with the trust deed. Usually a shareholders' agreement will give your fellow directors or shareholders the right to buy your share. It will also detail voting rights or the right to receive dividends and capital.

THINK CAREFULLY WHEN DIVIDING ASSETS BETWEEN FAMILY MEMBERS

There can be challenges dividing your business assets among family members and friends. For example, you might want to leave your business to your two children, but one has no interest in being part of the business.

An unfair burden is placed on the other child, who may need to raise funds to buy out their sibling. This can be taken care of by making sure other assets of the same value as your business asset are passed on, such as a life insurance policy.

DON’T FORGET YOUR SUPER - IT’S AN ASSET TOO

One of the most important assets business owners have is superannuation. Many people don’t think about what happens to their super after they die, but your super fund decides who gets your super if you don’t. If you don’t want this to happen, you can set up a binding nomination with your superannuation provider.

This allows you to nominate who gets your super after you die with greater certainty. You can nominate family members (such as your spouse or children) financial dependants, even your estate – you should seek advice about the most appropriate option.

There’s a lot to think about if you’re a business owner, so advice and guidance is critical.

Talk to us on 02 9875 2966 we will be able to guide you the best outcome, drawing in other professionals such as a specialist solicitor and your accountant. So you can be confident that all the work you’ve put into your business goes to the people you care about most.

Source : Nab May 2018 

Important information

This  publication is provided by MLC Investments Limited (ABN 30 002 641 661, AFSL 230705) (“MLC”), a member of the group of companies comprised National Australia Bank Limited (ABN 12 004 044 937, AFSL 230686), its related companies, associated entities and any officer, employee, agent, adviser or contractor therefore (“NAB Group”). An investment with MLC does not represent a deposit or liability of, and is not guaranteed by, NAB or any other member of the NAB Group.This information may constitute general advice. It has been prepared without taking account of your objectives, financial situation or needs and because of that you should, before acting on the advice, consider the appropriateness of the advice having regard to your personal objectives, financial situation and needs.

Opinions constitute the judgement of MLC at the time of issue and are subject to change. MLC believes that the information contained in this article is correct and that any estimates, opinions, conclusions or recommendations are reasonably held or made at the time of compilation. However, neither MLC nor any other member of the NAB Group, nor their employees or directors give any warranty as to their accuracy or reliability (which may change without notice) or other information contained in this article. This information is directed to and prepared for Australian residents only.

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