Business Owners-Why a Trust Might Be Your Smartest Business Decision Yet

Owning a business—whether you built it from the ground up or stepped into something passed down, comes with real responsibility. The day-to-day is demanding enough without the added weight of wondering, What would happen if I couldn’t run this tomorrow?

Thinking about that question now is one of the most thoughtful things you can do—for your family and future.

A trust for asset protection and succession planning is one of the clearest, most compassionate ways to ensure your business keeps going, no matter what life throws your way. It protects what you’ve worked hard for—your time, your effort, your name—and creates a roadmap for the people you trust most to keep things running smoothly.
This isn’t about worry—it’s about feeling confident in the future. And it all begins with a simple conversation.

Why Business Owners Need a Trust

Most people think of trusts as something only the ultra-wealthy need. In reality, they’re one of the most innovative, most accessible tools for business owners, especially if:

• You have employees, assets, or real estate tied to the business
• You’re concerned about lawsuits or liabilities
• You plan to hand the business off to your kids (or someone else)
• You want to avoid probate and maintain privacy after you pass

A trust allows you to hold ownership of your business through a legal structure, which not only shields it from many personal legal risks but also spells out exactly how ownership transfers when you’re ready to retire or if something unexpected happens.

It’s the legal version of “measure twice, cut once.”

Learn more about how trusts fit into estate planning for business owners.

What a Trust Can Do for You

✅ Asset Protection – When your business is held in a trust, it may be shielded from lawsuits, creditors, or divorce settlements. It’s not a silver bullet, but it’s a powerful layer of defense in your overall asset protection estate planning.

✅ Succession Planning – A trust allows you to define exactly who takes over and when—whether it’s a child, key employee, or co-owner—so your business doesn’t get caught in court delays or disagreements.

✅ Continuity and Peace of Mind – If you’re ever incapacitated or pass away unexpectedly, the business doesn’t freeze. The trustee (someone you appoint) steps in and keeps operations running, following your plan.

How to Get Started

1. Schedule a Call – We’ll meet with you to understand your business, family, and goals. No jargon. Just real conversation.
2. Create a Custom Plan—We’ll draft a trust tailored to your unique situation and coordinate with your CPA, financial advisor, or business partners if necessary.
3. Protect and Plan – Once your trust is established, we’ll help fund it adequately and update it as your business grows or life changes.

Ready to take the first step in succession planning and estate planning? Now’s the time. The best plans are made while things are good, not when you’re in crisis.

Let Rutkowski Law Firm Help You Plan Ahead

We’ve worked with business owners across Michigan and beyond, especially those who want to protect their hard-earned legacy and keep things in the family. Our approach is thoughtful, clear, and built around what matters most to you.