Estate Planning

Use Cases: Estate Planning

For most business owners, the company they’ve built is one of the single most valuable assets in their estate. Yet when it comes time to create or update an estate plan, the business is often treated as an afterthought, roughly estimated or left to be sorted out later.

That can create problems. Unclear valuations may lead to confusion, legal challenges, or tension between beneficiaries. Whether you plan to pass the business along, sell it, or simply ensure it’s accounted for properly, a formal valuation gives you a solid foundation to protect your estate and plan with clarity.

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Why Valuation Matters in Estate Planning

Your estate plan likely includes a range of assets, from real estate to personal property. But a business can be harder to assess. Unlike a home or an investment portfolio, its value isn't static or easy to estimate without professional input.

A valuation provides an objective picture of the business’s worth today, under fair market conditions. This helps ensure a smooth transition, align expectations among family members, and avoid misunderstandings that often arise when no formal estimate exists.

It also supports clear documentation for use in wills, succession plans, and shareholder agreements.

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Who Typically Requests a Business Valuation for Estate Purposes?

Estate valuations are often requested by lawyers, advisors, or family members helping organize long-term succession. In many cases, it’s the owner themselves who initiates the process, not because they’re exiting immediately, but because they want their affairs in order and their intentions clearly documented.

Even if a transition isn’t on the horizon, a valuation offers a useful snapshot that can be referenced again later or updated as the business grows.

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Standard or Lite: What We Recommend

For most estate-related situations, our Standard Package is the best fit. It includes a detailed report with multiple valuation methods, commentary on key drivers of value, and adjustments for owner-specific expenses.

If you’re early in the process and simply need a reasonable, third-party estimate to guide future decisions or clarify conversations with family or legal advisors, the Lite Package offers a shorter, efficient alternative.

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Clarity, Continuity, and Peace of Mind

Estate planning isn’t just about paperwork. It’s about protecting the people you care about and making sure they have a clear path forward. A business valuation helps bring structure and fairness to that process. It gives everyone involved a shared understanding of value, and ensures your intentions are supported by real information.

Whether you're updating your will, planning a transition, or simply organizing your affairs, a business valuation is an essential step in protecting your legacy.

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Ready to Get Started?

We work with business owners directly, as well as with legal and advisory teams. If you’re preparing or reviewing your estate plan and want to ensure your business is accounted for properly, we’re here to help.

See our pricing or contact us to get started.

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