Closely Held Business News & Analysis

The end of a business partnership is a journey fraught with legal, financial, and emotional complexities. For owners of closely held corporations, LLCs, and partnerships, a “business divorce” requires a strategic, multi-disciplinary approach. I developed “Happily Business Divorced 2025,” a comprehensive seminar presented by the New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education (NJICLE) on Friday, August 8,…

Economic uncertainty and global instability. Is this the new normal for 2025? For the main street business,these risks and uncertainty are a source of intense pressure., Some closely held business owners turn uncertainty to advantage by implementing strategies that make their enterprise resilient and adaptable to changing circumstances. Rarely has there been a more pressing…

Key takeaways Main Street businesses – those with fewer than 500 employees whose owners run day-to-day operations – are feeling the squeeze from 2025’s challenging economic climate. The combination of rising inflation, increasing interest rates, and ongoing trade tensions seems to be generating a perfect storm for these small businesses. I am a lawyer, a…

Key Takeaways Introduction: Understanding the 5 Ds Most business owners focus on growth, profits, and market expansion. Few take time to consider the potential risks that could derail everything they’ve built. The Exit Planning Institute (EPI) has identified five critical risk factors that every business must prepare for—known as the 5 Ds: These unplanned events…

Key Takeaways Family businesses are the bedrock of economies.  They weave together the strength of familial bonds with the drive of entrepreneurial spirit.  Yet, these enterprises confront unique hurdles that complicate governance and endanger longevity. Recognizing and addressing these complexities becomes paramount for sustaining a thriving family legacy. I am a lawyer, a certified valuation…

Running a closely held business requires more than your vision and hard work. It demands careful documentation, accurate records, and financial transparency. Yet, many business owners underestimate the importance of record-keeping—until it’s too late. Poor record-keeping can cripple a business, leading to legal disputes, tax penalties, and financial ruin. In my years of practice, I…

Understanding the true value of your enterprise is critically important to the owner’s financial and persona success. A formal business valuation is a critical diagnostic tool, offering insight into your company’s financial health, operational efficiency, and market position. This comprehensive guide looks at the benefits of formal valuations, providing business owners with the knowledge to…

Case Overview: The Tax Court examined a series of business transfers with suspect timing. Key Findings: Transfers were deemed invalid due to lack of legitimate business purpose. Implications: Highlights the importance of proper documentation and clear intent in business transactions. Recommendations: Business owners should consult legal advisors to ensure compliance and avoid similar pitfalls. Transfers…

You own a business. You’re deeply familiar with your company’s day-to-day operations, challenges, and triumphs. You have invested your time, energy, and resources into its success. You may have a rough estimate of what it is worth, guided by your years of experience, what you know of your industry, what you hear on the grapevine…

Protect the Intagible Assets of a Closely Held Business with Bulletproofing I sometimes ask closely held business owners if they lock the doors to their business when they leave. The answer is ‘of course.’ I may push further. Do you have an alarm system? What about at home? Bulletproofed Businesses are Protected Against Theft of…