At Schiller, Spence & Associates Private Wealth Management, we design estate planning strategies that protect what you’ve built and preserve it for generations to come.
Estate planning for business owners
For many entrepreneurs, their business is their most valuable asset, and the foundation of their family’s financial security. That’s why estate planning for business owners requires more than a will. We help you organize ownership structures, tax-efficient transfers, and succession strategies that safeguard both the business and the family relationships behind it. Our advice-first, full-picture planning connects corporate, personal, and family goals, ensuring every aspect of your estate works in harmony.
Whether you’re preparing a small business estate planning strategy or guiding a large private enterprise toward its next chapter, we ensure the details are handled with precision. From valuation and shareholder agreements to liquidity planning and insurance integration, every element supports a smooth transition and a lasting legacy.
Tax-smart estate transfer strategies
High-net-worth estate planning involves minimizing taxes while preserving flexibility for future generations. We help you structure your estate to take full advantage of available exemptions and credits, such as the Lifetime Capital Gains Exemption, and ensure your heirs receive wealth efficiently and equitably. Our team coordinates with tax and legal professionals to develop customized strategies that protect assets from unnecessary erosion while maintaining family unity.
In addition to traditional trusts and foundations, we design insurance-based estate planning strategies that create tax-efficient liquidity. Life insurance can help offset taxes, protect key assets like farmland or real estate, and ensure that your family or successors have the resources they need without forcing the sale of valuable holdings.
Planning for high-net-worth families
Estate planning for high-net-worth individuals extends beyond wealth preservation, it’s about creating opportunities and making a lasting impact. We help families translate values into action, whether through charitable giving, education funds, or legacy trusts. Our approach ensures your estate plan not only secures financial stability but also reflects the principles that define your family.
As your trusted advisors, we bring both structure and sensitivity to intergenerational discussions. We facilitate open conversations about inheritance, responsibilities, and long-term intentions, helping families avoid misunderstandings and build confidence in the plan’s purpose.
Keeping your plan dynamic
Life changes, so should your estate plan. From business growth and property acquisitions to new family members or philanthropic interests, we revisit your plan regularly to keep it relevant and practical. Our team-based relationships ensure continuity and responsiveness, allowing updates to be handled promptly and strategically.
Our estate planning process is about foresight. We help small business owners, high-net-worth families, and professionals protect their wealth, preserve family harmony, and ensure their estate transfer unfolds exactly as intended.