The scenario is very common. Founders (or non-founder owners) of a family business understand that it's time to do some estate planning. Their email inboxes are flooded with alarming announcements that the US estate tax exemption is shrinking or going away and that tax rates are going up – soon. They are urged to act – now. And they do. Founders or owners of non-founding families get some referrals and go into their lawyers' offices. In any case, the lawyer examines the situation,