Corporate Law & Business Law in Alaska
You’ve Built With Intention. Now Plan for What Comes Next.
You’ve worked hard to build something lasting—a business, a company culture, or a legacy of service in your community. But what happens to that business if you step away, retire, or pass away?
Whether you are just starting out or planning for transition, every business owner eventually faces legal questions about structure, continuity, and ownership. At Foley Pearson Riekkola Iverson, we help Alaska business owners address those questions proactively—so their business goals stay aligned with their estate plan and personal values.
Strategic Counsel for Every Stage of Business
We advise clients at all stages of ownership—from initial formation to long-term succession. Our work is practical, process-driven, and focused on protecting both the business and the people behind it. We help clients:
- Select and form appropriate business entities (LLCs, corporations, partnerships)
- Draft and revise operating agreements and bylaws
- Prepare and review shareholder and buy-sell agreements
- Assist with corporate restructuring, including ownership changes or management shifts
- Guide mergers, acquisitions, or partial liquidations
- Coordinate third-party sale transactions or internal succession planning
We also help clients integrate these business decisions into their broader estate and wealth transfer plans—especially when family members, key employees, or multiple generations are involved.
Business Succession Planning: Avoiding Conflict and Preserving Value
A closely held business is often one of the most valuable assets in a person’s estate—but also one of the most complex. Without a plan, transitions can lead to internal conflict, tax exposure, or even liquidation under pressure. We work with owners who want to:
- Pass their business to children or other family members
- Transition to employee ownership or key managers
- Prepare for a future third-party sale
- Equalize inheritance among heirs when not all are involved in the business
- Minimize tax liability and avoid probate complications
Our approach is tailored to the structure of your business, your vision for the future, and the people who will carry it forward.
Why Business Owners Need Legal Counsel That Understands the Full Picture
Many business owners already work with accountants, bankers, or investment advisors—but legal planning is a key part of ensuring your decisions hold up over time. Without the right legal guidance, owners may:
- Operate without clear succession terms in place
- Create conflicting provisions between corporate documents and estate plans
- Miss opportunities to transfer ownership tax-efficiently
- Leave the business vulnerable to disputes, forced buyouts, or litigation
At Foley Pearson Riekkola Iverson, we do more than form entities or draft contracts. We help you think ahead, organize your options, and design a structure that reflects your values—whether you're planning for sale, transfer, or retirement.
Why Work with Foley Pearson Riekkola Iverson?
Our firm blends deep estate planning experience with business-focused legal insight. That means we understand not just the legal documents, but the family dynamics, tax implications, and long-term impact that come with owning and passing on a business. We work with:
- Entrepreneurs launching new ventures
- Family businesses in transition
- Retiring owners seeking structured exits
- Professionals looking to align their estate and corporate planning
We also support long-term clients through our Generations Program, providing ongoing review and coordination between personal and business planning as family and business needs evolve.
Start with a Business Planning Consultation
Whether you're forming your first LLC or preparing to pass a business to the next generation, our team is here to help. Foley Pearson Riekkola Iverson offers strategic planning and legal guidance for Alaskan business owners who want to move forward with clarity and purpose.
Usually, business planning happens in the context of a larger estate plan, so it starts with our online estate planning workshop. Register for a session to learn more. Let’s talk about where your business is going—and how to get it there.
Working With Foley Pearson Riekkola Iverson, P.C.
We recommend that anyone beginning the estate planning process start by attending one of our free, lawyer-led workshops. It’s a practical introduction to the process, the key concepts, and how our firm approaches planning. You’ll gain the knowledge you need now—so you can ask the right questions later.
After the workshop, the next step is to complete our intake forms. This helps us understand your goals, your family dynamics, and the assets you want to protect. With the full picture in hand, we can craft a plan that’s tailored to you.
Once we have reviewed the information you provide, you will meet with an attorney to design your estate plan. The attorney will guide you through your options, answer any questions, and help identify the best structure for your goals—whether that involves a Will, a Trust, or a combination of planning tools.
After your documents are signed, we assist with funding your Trust and transferring key assets into it. Then you have the option to enroll in our Generations, which provides ongoing support to help you maintain and update your plan over time, so it continues to reflect your wishes and functions as intended when it matters most.
Do You Need a Will or Trust?
Whether you are just beginning to think about planning for your estate, need to update your existing documents, or have questions after the loss of a loved one, we are here to help.
Are You Unsure About What You Need?
Whether you are just beginning to think about planning for your estate, need to update your existing documents, or have questions after the loss of a loved one, we are here to help.
