In this episode of The Mark You Leave, Alex Mejias and his colleagues Bri and Tariq from James River Law take a deep dive into one of the most important — and most misunderstood — topics in personal and business planning: estate planning.

They unpack what an estate plan actually includes, why it’s about more than just a will, and how to protect yourself, your loved ones, and your legacy — no matter your age or income level.

Whether you’re a creative, entrepreneur, or young professional, this episode breaks down essential estate planning tools like Wills, Trusts, and Powers of Attorney in a conversational, approachable way.

🧾 What You’ll Learn

· What an estate plan really is (and isn’t)

· Why a Will matters — even if you don’t own a home

· The role of Trusts in avoiding probate and protecting your assets

· What “incapacity” means and how Powers of Attorney work

· How a Living Will and Advance Medical Directive help make difficult medical decisions easier

· The difference between Will-based and Trust-based estate plans

· Why everyone — not just the wealthy — needs an estate plan

🗣️ Key Quotes

“A lot of people think estate planning is just about death — but really, it’s about life, and making sure you and your loved ones are cared for no matter what happens.” – Alex Mejias

“Trusts aren’t just for the rich. They’re tools for anyone who wants to save time, money, and stress for their family.” – Bri

“The biggest reason people finally create an estate plan? They’ve seen firsthand how hard it is when a loved one doesn’t have one.” – Tariq

Connect with Us:

• Website: jamesriverlaw.com
• Instagram: @jamesriverlaw
• LinkedIn: JamesRiverLaw
• Contact: hello@jamesriverlaw.com
• Book a Call: jamesriverlaw.com/book-a-call

👉 Like, subscribe, and share to stay tuned as we explore the full journey of entrepreneurship — from start to legacy.

Guest: Brandon Smith, Independent Financial Planner, Milestone Financial Solutions
Host: Alex Mejias, Founder & Managing Attorney, James River Law

If you’re a closely held or family business (1–4 owners, ~10–15 employees), this episode is your practical guide to business continuation and succession planning. Alex and Brandon break down buy-sell agreements, valuation methods (handshake, informal, and formal valuations), funding options (loans, sinking funds, term & permanent life insurance), and when to use cross-purchase vs. entity/stock-redemption structures. They also dig into key person insurance, disability coverage, tax considerations for S-corps vs. C-corps, and what actually happens when planning is ignored—or done well.

What you’ll learn

• The two must-haves in any buy-sell: valuation method & funding method
• Cross-purchase vs. entity redemption: when each structure fits
• Why term life is often the most affordable funding—and when permanent/VUL can make sense
• How key person and disability insurance keep the lights on
• S-Corp dividend vs. payroll treatment, and why you don’t deduct life insurance premiums
• Sector tips: restaurants, trades (plumbing/HVAC), professional services, creatives & athletes
• Real stories of success and failure that show the stakes

Resources & links

• Milestone Financial Solutions: milestonefinancialsolutions.com
• James River Law (buy-sell agreements & estate planning): jamesriverlaw.com

Want help drafting or updating a buy-sell? Book a consult at jamesriverlaw.com.

Need funding/coverage options? Talk with Brandon at milestonefinancialsolutions.com.

Disclaimer
This episode is for informational purposes only and is not legal, tax, or financial advice. Consult your attorney, CPA, and licensed advisor for guidance specific to you.

Connect with Us:

• Website: jamesriverlaw.com
• Instagram: @jamesriverlaw
• LinkedIn: JamesRiverLaw
• Contact: hello@jamesriverlaw.com
• Book a Call: jamesriverlaw.com/book-a-call

👉 Like, subscribe, and share to stay tuned as we explore the full journey of entrepreneurship — from start to legacy.

What happens to your business when you step away — or can’t return? In this episode of The Mark You Leave, the legal team at James River Law explains everything entrepreneurs and small business owners need to know about succession planning and preserving their business legacy.

🎯 Learn the fundamentals of:

· What succession planning is and why it matters

· Buy-sell agreements (cross-purchase vs. redemption)

· Valuation methods for business exit

· How succession planning fits into your estate plan

· Real-world consequences of poor planning

Whether you're in a single-member LLC or a multi-partner corporation, this episode breaks down the tools, strategies, and common pitfalls business owners face when planning for the future.

📞 Need help with your succession plan? Schedule a consult at www.jamesriverlaw.com
💌 Submit questions: podcast@jamesriverlaw.com

#successionplanning #smallbusinesslaw #businesslegacy #buyandsellagreement #estateplanning #virginialaw #businessowners #entrepreneurlawyer

Connect with Us:

• Website: jamesriverlaw.com
• Instagram: @jamesriverlaw
• LinkedIn: JamesRiverLaw
• Contact: hello@jamesriverlaw.com
• Book a Call: jamesriverlaw.com/book-a-call

👉 Like, subscribe, and share to stay tuned as we explore the full journey of entrepreneurship — from start to legacy.

Episode Summary:
In this episode of The Mark You Leave, Alex Mejias of James River Law, along with co-hosts Tariq and Bri, breaks down the big decision every business owner must make -- how to choose the right legal entity structure.

From the simplicity (and risk!) of sole proprietorships to the flexibility of LLCs, the team uses real-life examples (yes, Beyoncé and Destiny’s Child included) to walk through partnerships, C corps, S corps, and PLLCs. Plus, they discuss how to actually protect yourself from liability — because filing the paperwork is just the beginning.

Whether you’re launching your side hustle or scaling your startup, this episode is a must-listen.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The real risks of sole proprietorships and partnerships
• Why LLCs are a flexible, popular choice for entrepreneurs
• How corporations are structured and taxed (C Corps vs. S Corps)
• When and why a PLLC is required
• The truth about “piercing the corporate veil” — and how to avoid it
• How creatives and public figures can protect their identity using an EIN
• Why business formation is more than just paperwork

Connect with Us:

• Website: jamesriverlaw.com
• Instagram: @jamesriverlaw
• LinkedIn: JamesRiverLaw
• Contact: hello@jamesriverlaw.com
• Book a Call: jamesriverlaw.com/book-a-call

👉 Like, subscribe, and share to stay tuned as we explore the full journey of entrepreneurship — from start to legacy.

Welcome to the very first episode of The Mark You Leave, a podcast presented by James River Law focused on helping entrepreneurs, creatives, and athletes build their legacies through smart business practices, legal strategy, and thoughtful planning.

In this introductory episode, founder and managing attorney Alex Mejias sits down with team members Tariq Crumbly and Bri Allen to share the inspiration behind the podcast, introduce themselves, and give listeners a glimpse into what’s to come.

Whether you’re just starting your business or thinking about how to pass it on to the next generation, this podcast is here to support your journey from launch to legacy.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• What The Mark You Leave podcast is all about
• Why estate planning is essential for entrepreneurs and creatives
• How James River Law supports clients from business formation to succession
• The team's unique backgrounds (music, law, and more) and why they care deeply about what they do
• What topics to expect in upcoming episodes: trademarks, contracts, succession planning, client interviews & more

Connect with Us:

• Website: jamesriverlaw.com
• Instagram: @jamesriverlaw
• LinkedIn: JamesRiverLaw
• Contact: hello@jamesriverlaw.com
• Book a Call: jamesriverlaw.com/book-a-call

👉 Like, subscribe, and share to stay tuned as we explore the full journey of entrepreneurship — from start to legacy.