Real Estate Development and Planning

From the birth of a business, through the everyday formalities, to termination and dissolution, Robinson & McElwee’s attorneys guide and counsel clients on all phases in the life of a business. Our attorneys work with our clients to determine the best structure for a business (e.g. corporation, limited liability company, or other structure), taking into consideration the concerns of the clients, as well as the tax and other ramifications of the structure under consideration. The selection of the legal structure and the initial organizational documents for a business (e.g. bylaws, operating agreement or other organizational document) are the first keys to avoiding future disputes. We also counsel businesses and business owners as to the advantages and disadvantages of buy-sell agreements in order to minimize the disruption and conflict that may arise when an owner leaves a business. The lawyers of the Business & Corporate Practice Group provide guidance on proper tax planning and structural strategies. We assist your business as it evolves, settling disputes among business owners and shareholders, discussing succession planning and more. Our attorneys have represented both business entities and groups of owners in such matters. Robinson & McElwee’s Business & Corporate attorneys also assist in startup funding, mergers and acquisitions and the dissolution of businesses.

Robinson & McElwee provides its clients with the security that comes from responsible wealth strategies. Asset planning and protection ensures your assets will be passed to your beneficiaries responsibly as you intended. Depending upon your needs and wishes, your estate planning may include wills, powers of attorney, living wills, medical powers of attorney, living trusts and documents relating to guardianship. Proper tax planning to minimize estate and other taxes upon your death and/or the death of a spouse is an important consideration for most people. The lawyers of the Business & Corporate Practice Group will guide you as to whether your estate planning should include irrevocable life insurance trusts, charitable remainder trusts, and other techniques to minimize such taxes. Such additional techniques may include ways to efficiently transfer ownership of a closely held business from one generation to the next with the lowest possible tax impact. In addition to preparing estate planning documents such as wills, trusts, and powers of attorney (with corresponding federal estate tax planning), the lawyers of the Business & Corporate Practice Group are also involved in will contest litigation and breach of fiduciary duty claims.