Thinking About Buying Your Boss’s Business? Read This Before You Sign Anything

October 14, 2025

Thinking about buying your boss’s business or taking over a client book? Before you sign anything, make sure you understand what you’re really buying. In this eye-opening article from Garza Business & Estate Law, we unpack the hidden legal and financial pitfalls that can turn a dream acquisition into a costly nightmare.

Through the story of Dave, a business owner who lost millions after buying what he thought was a “profitable book of business,” this article illustrates how easily things can go wrong when enthusiasm replaces due diligence. From non-transferable contracts and “phantom” clients to missing non-compete protections, poor client retention, and compliance missteps—these are the traps that sink even the most seasoned entrepreneurs.

Trusts: Revocable vs. Irrevocable – Can They Help You?

October 7, 2025

This blog explores how trusts form the backbone of true legacy planning, contrasting revocable (living) trusts—which keep families out of court and maintain flexibility—with irrevocable trusts, which serve as advanced tools for wealth preservation and estate tax protection.

It warns that without proper estate planning, families risk probate, public exposure, and financial loss. The piece explains how revocable trusts offer control and privacy, while irrevocable trusts (such as life insurance trusts, retained annuity trusts, and spousal access trusts) protect against estate taxes, lawsuits, and creditors.

Selling Your Business to a Key Person: The Hidden Landmines That Can Cost You Everything

September 30, 2025

Selling your business to a trusted key employee may seem like the safest, most natural exit strategy, but without proper planning it can become a financial and emotional disaster. Many business owners assume that loyalty and familiarity are enough to ensure success, only to discover too late that the deal was structured on sentiment rather than strategy.

In this article, we share the cautionary story of Frank, a business owner who sold his $8 million company to his right-hand man. What seemed like a smooth transition quickly turned into a nightmare when the buyer struggled to manage operations and cash flow, leaving Frank unpaid and his retirement at risk. This is a common pitfall when owners sell to insiders without airtight legal protections.