The first step in safeguarding your personal assets from your business liabilities is choosing a business structure that limits personal liability. Corporations, including S corps and C corps, as well as limited liability companies (LLCs) and limited partnerships, provide protection for their owners’ personal assets. When a creditor goes after these types of entities for payment of a debt or lawsuit judgment, typically only business assets may be pursued. This is not true for sole proprietorships and general partnerships. The owners of these business types can be held personally liable if the business owes money. 

Even the most well-oiled business machine needs the counsel of a knowledgeable and skilled lawyer. While not every company requires in-house counsel, having a dedicated business attorney on standby, ready to assist you whenever needed, can help you avoid costly legal missteps that threaten the success—and even the survival—of your business. 

Family-owned businesses are common in the United States. The term “mom-and-pop” business is not always meant literally, but there are approximately 1.5 million businesses run by married couples nationwide. Here are some important considerations for your family business.