If you’ve spent a lifetime growing a business, accumulating wealth, and providing for your family, the next step is ensuring that everything you’ve built doesn’t unravel the moment you’re gone. At Oldfield Group Wealth Management, we focus on estate planning for small business owners who want to turn success into stability—for their families, their companies, and their legacy.
Without a plan, even the most accomplished estate can be lost to tax, family disputes, or poor decisions. We help clients build thoughtful, adaptive plans that go beyond documents and design an estate that protects, preserves, and empowers.
Small business estate planning: more than a will
A will is important. But it’s not enough.
It tells people who gets what, but not how or when. What if your grandkids are too young to handle an inheritance? What if a surviving spouse isn’t familiar with the financials? What if your business partners or employees are left without a clear transition?
That’s where true small business estate planning comes in. We design plans that ensure your wishes are carried out smoothly and with purpose. That includes timing distributions, managing control, and preparing the next generation with the tools—not just the money—to thrive.
Estate planning for business owners: tax-smart, future-focused
The worst surprise in estate planning? Taxes. Without the right structure, years of hard work can be eaten away by capital gains, estate administration taxes, and probate fees.
We work with you to:
- Minimize tax through trusts and corporate structuring
- Fund estate tax liabilities with life insurance
- Structure shareholder agreements for smooth transitions
- Avoid forced sales of assets like the family business or cottage
- Create liquidity without compromising control
Our estate planning process ensures your business can continue, your family is protected, and your legacy endures—without unnecessary tax burdens or financial stress.
Life insurance: the most underused estate tool
When tax bills threaten to derail your plan or force the liquidation of assets, life insurance steps in as the hero. A properly structured policy can provide tax-free proceeds to fund estate liabilities, protect your loved ones, and transfer wealth efficiently.
We help high-net-worth families and business owners use insurance as a planning tool. That includes:
- Offsetting capital gains tax
- Equalizing inheritances when some children are involved in the business and others are not
- Funding buy-sell agreements and shareholder exits
- Creating guaranteed liquidity when it matters most
Life insurance for business owners isn’t optional—it’s strategic. And we make sure it fits seamlessly into your overall estate and financial plan.
Giving back through your estate
Your estate plan can do more than support your family. It can support the world around you. Whether you’re passionate about education, health care, or environmental causes, we help incorporate charitable giving into your estate strategy.
This might include:
- Donor-advised funds
- Gifts of appreciated securities
- Charitable life insurance strategies
- Legacy donations that reduce taxes and maximize impact
Philanthropy doesn’t have to come at the expense of your heirs. Done right, it amplifies your impact and strengthens your legacy.
A plan that grows with your life
Families change. Businesses evolve. Estate laws shift. That’s why we build living plans. With regular reviews and updates, we ensure your estate plan stays current with your life, your finances, and your goals.
Marriages. Divorces. New grandchildren. A business sale. A windfall. Whatever life throws at you, we’re here to make sure your estate plan stays aligned.
We’re your estate quarterback
Coordinating your accountant, lawyer, business partners, and beneficiaries is no small task. That’s why we act as your estate quarterback—bringing the right experts to the table and keeping everyone aligned. You get peace of mind knowing nothing’s been missed, and everything’s working together.