Why a will is not enough if you own a business

A will governs what passes through probate. Business interests governed by an operating agreement, life insurance with a named beneficiary and retirement accounts pass outside it. When the documents disagree, the will loses.

A plan lines them up: the operating agreement says who may inherit an interest and how it is valued, the buy-sell is funded, and the beneficiary forms match.

We review all of it in one sitting, and then once a year.