The checklist: What to do before you launch

Partnering up for business requires legal and financial homework - especially if you're married. Here's what to keep in mind before signing on the dotted line.

Subscribe to Top Stories
google my aol my msn my yahoo! netvibes
Paste this link into your favorite RSS desktop reader
See all CNNMoney.com RSS FEEDS (close)

cake.03.jpg

(FSB Magazine) -- "The risks may be far greater for couples than for noncouples," explains Mina Sirkin, a family-wealth lawyer in Woodland Hills, Calif. and business partner with her husband. Consider the following before making the big jump:

- Seek couples counseling. Just because spouses agree at home doesn't mean they'll agree at work. A therapist can help sort out issues of work ethics, revenue expectations, and general practices. For starters, the Family Business Institute offers questions online that family members should ask themselves before launching together.

- Draw up a post-nuptial agreement. It may sound as unpleasant as a prenup, but this pre-business contract protects the spouses not only in case of divorce but also from lawsuits and other unforeseen circumstances (debilitating injury, death) that could wipe out family assets. By dividing their personal wealth, couples will also ensure a smooth transfer of ownership should it be necessary.

- Check state inheritance laws. Depending on where you live and the nature of your business, it may be wise to split ownership right down the middle - or not. While 51 percent ownership by the wife may help win contracts, it may also lead to complications should the wife die and the husband desire full ownership, particularly if she has children from a previous marriage. That's why a will that covers the business partnership is so important, says Alan Cohn, a Fort Lauderdale lawyer.

- Start slowly. One spouse should keep his or her current job for the first few months, says Mark Ewing, vice president and commercial lender at Fox Chase Bank in Hatboro, Pa. The steady income will help with cash flow, as well as health insurance and loan applications. To top of page

Full story: Unlimited partnership: Couples in business
Have you tried to work with your spouse? Join the discussion.
To write a note to the editor about this article, click here.

Photo Galleries
10 of the most luxurious airline amenity kits When it comes to in-flight pampering, the amenity kits offered by these 10 airlines are the ultimate in luxury More
7 startups that want to improve your mental health From a text therapy platform to apps that push you reminders to breathe, these self-care startups offer help on a daily basis or in times of need. More
5 radical technologies that will change how you get to work From Uber's flying cars to the Hyperloop, these are some of the neatest transportation concepts in the works today. More
Sponsors

Most stock quote data provided by BATS. Market indices are shown in real time, except for the DJIA, which is delayed by two minutes. All times are ET. Disclaimer. Morningstar: © 2018 Morningstar, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Factset: FactSet Research Systems Inc. 2018. All rights reserved. Chicago Mercantile Association: Certain market data is the property of Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. and its licensors. All rights reserved. Dow Jones: The Dow Jones branded indices are proprietary to and are calculated, distributed and marketed by DJI Opco, a subsidiary of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and have been licensed for use to S&P Opco, LLC and CNN. Standard & Poor's and S&P are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC and Dow Jones is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC. All content of the Dow Jones branded indices © S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC 2018 and/or its affiliates.

Most stock quote data provided by BATS. Market indices are shown in real time, except for the DJIA, which is delayed by two minutes. All times are ET. Disclaimer. Morningstar: © 2018 Morningstar, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Factset: FactSet Research Systems Inc. 2018. All rights reserved. Chicago Mercantile Association: Certain market data is the property of Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. and its licensors. All rights reserved. Dow Jones: The Dow Jones branded indices are proprietary to and are calculated, distributed and marketed by DJI Opco, a subsidiary of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and have been licensed for use to S&P Opco, LLC and CNN. Standard & Poor's and S&P are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC and Dow Jones is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC. All content of the Dow Jones branded indices © S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC 2018 and/or its affiliates.