Question: Should I use my S Corporation in California for my Business Estate Planning?

Written by: Andrew Gale - Orange County - Small Business Attorney

Should I use my S Corporation in California for my Business Estate Planning - Andy Gale Orange County California AttorneyIs using an S corporation for my Business Estate Planning a Good Idea?

I am trying to figure out if I should start a corporation with all my assets put into the corporation. Do I have to have my children in the corporation from the start or can I leave the assets to an estate?

Do I have to change titles and other documents when putting assets into the corporation?

Answer: I would have to say that probably the worst place in the world for all of your assets would be inside a corporation!

Here is how I would think about the question. I would have to say that probably the worst place in the world for all of your assets would be inside a corporation – California S corporation or C corporation.

Here is the reason why: corporations get sued all of the time. If your corporation gets sued and loses, the creditor has the right to collect the damages of the lawsuit from the corporation. In many cases, the creditor collects against the insurance that the corporation has purchased and the matter is over.

However, if the damages exceed the value of the insurance policy, the creditor will then next turn to the assets of the corporation.

If you placed all your personal assets inside the corporation, the creditor would be entitled to collect against those assets. In the case of a big enough lawsuit, you could lose everything.

I think that a revocable family trust will most likely achieve the goal that you are seeking. By placing your assets inside a revocable trust, you can do the planning necessary to pass your assets to your heirs without unnecessarily placing your personal assets at risk inside your business.

What kinds of Estate Planning Documents should I consider?

If you do decide to prepare your basic Business Estate Planning documents, I recommend that you create the following documents at a minimum: a family trust, pour-over wills, advanced health care directives, and powers of attorney for property management.

If you need assistance in better understanding business estate planning for your corporation, please feel free to give us a call at the Incorporation Attorney at 714-634-4838.


Andrew Gale – Incorporation Attorney

Attorney at Law Offices 1820 West Orangewood Avenue, Suite 104a, Orange, CA 92868 Office: +1 (714) 634-4838. I provide legal advice, counseling and related services to entrepreneurs including the formation and management of their corporations and estate plans.

My Law Office is based in Orange County California and I have practiced law for 30 years. I have given advice to more than 1000 small business owners on the best ways to set up a company, what types of business entities (corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships) are best suited for them and their small business, how to legally run the business to protect their assets and how to successfully transfer the business to family or key employees through the proper use of estate planning and trusts.