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Family Business Forum to address potential impact of marriage, divorce and death on companies
July 18, 2000
EDITORS: For more information about the Indiana Family Business Forum program, experts on family business issues, or the name of a Family Business Forum member who may be in your area, contact Kimberly Ruff, 812-855-2751.
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Everyday events can and do affect family businesses. On Tuesday (July 25) the Indiana Family Business Forum at Indiana University will discuss how life-changing events such as deaths, marriages and divorces often affect companies.
The workshop, "Re: Generations," will be from 9:30 a.m. to noon at the offices of Barnes & Thornburg, 11 S. Meridian St., Indianapolis. The forum is a program of the Johnson Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation in IU's Kelley School of Business.
Kent Agness and Bill Hammel, attorneys with the law firm of Barnes & Thornburg, will share their knowledge and experiences gleaned from over 40 years of working with family business clients. Ron and Carol Ernst, founders of Leadership Horizons, will facilitate discussions between and within business generations on issues that are often the most difficult aspect of the family business.
The workshop will address the issues of how marriage can and often does affect shareholders; what can happen to ownership in a business if a marriage ends in divorce; or what happens when the owner dies. The benefits of prenuptial agreements, how to use wills and trusts to avoid problems, and other legal arrangements also will be covered.
Companies are invited to bring cross-generational members from their businesses. Time will be set aside during the workshop to break into generation groups to discuss the topics. These discussions have proven to be enlightening and beneficial to those who have been struggling with family business relationships.
Registration is open to any family-owned business in Indiana. Contact Kimberly Ruff, program manager at the Johnson Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, at 812-855-2751 by Friday (July 21) to register.
The Indiana Family Business Forum, launched in 1998, is specifically designed for Indiana family businesses, providing informational seminars and materials on issues unique to family businesses, access to business assessment services tailored for family businesses, and networking opportunities.
(George Vlahakis, 812-855-0846, gvlahaki@indiana.edu or Sue Artmeier, 812-855-4248, artmeie@indiana.edu)