Business Succession Planning in Oklahoma City
Align Future Ownership, Management, & Estate Decisions
A business transition involves more than naming a successor. Owners must consider who will hold an ownership interest, who will manage operations, and who will have authority if they become incapacitated or die. We connect these decisions with the owner’s estate plan so the business and personal documents reflect the same goals.
We assist Oklahoma City business owners preparing for retirement, a family transfer, a partner transition, a future sale, or an unexpected absence. Our work draws on our capabilities in business planning, estate planning, trusts, wills, mergers and acquisitions, and partner changes.
Start your business succession planning consultation by calling McBride & Associates, P.C. at (405) 896-3615.
Business & Estate Planning in One Conversation
L. David McBride, our founder and president, practices in business planning, estate planning, trusts and wills, probate, and bankruptcy. Karina R. Lueck practices in business planning, estate planning, and probate law. This combined perspective allows us to identify where company documents and personal plans must work together.
When a transition raises issues beyond our legal services, we can coordinate our work with accountants, financial advisers, insurance agents, valuation professionals, and other attorneys. Each professional remains responsible for guidance within their field.
Clear Guidance for Complex Business Decisions
Published client feedback describes knowledgeable attorneys, personalized attention, and clear explanations of legal options. One client reported receiving assistance with trusts, limited liability companies, and the creation of a series limited liability company. While that feedback doesn’t address succession specifically, it reflects our work on related business and estate-planning issues.
We explain the available choices before preparing documents, enabling owners to make informed decisions about successors, fiduciaries, beneficiaries, and future management authority.
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"Great group of professionals."
From the receptionist to the completion... Great group of professionals that "listen to your story and design a plan to meet your needs!"- Sherilynn -
"We cannot thank you enough, David McBride."
My wife and I have a "blended" family. We reached out to McBride and Associates to build an estate plan that would benefit our entire family and be "fair" to all parties...that sounds dry and hum-drum...but we wanted to be able to take out all of the drama and mystery of dividing up our estate after our (very much hopefully in the distant future) death. Their team put together a plan that works for everyone. We can not thank you enough, David McBride.- Robert -
"Thank you, David and Jay for all that you did for us."
I highly recommend David McBride for his legal services. My family hired David for our first bankruptcy case. My Husband and I have been very, very satisfied. Not only does he possess immense patience and compassion, but is also very intelligent and well spoken. From the moment I spoke with him, I knew that he was there to look out for his clients' best interest rather than his own. I've heard my share of lawyer horror stories and have always been very cautious when approaching them. I am ecstatic that we were able to find a lawyer who is motivated by sound ethics, as they are often very difficult to come by. I highly recommend David McBride. I also want to say a huge thank you to Jay, Mr. McBride's Legal Assistant. He helped to make sure that we had everything we needed and made sure that everything was taken care. Thank you, David and Jay for all that you did for us.- Zane -
"David has been great to me and my family."
David has been great to me and my family. We have used his services since 2005. He has helped us with Trusts and LLC's. He put our business into a series LLC before most attorney's even knew what a series LLC was. Thanks for all your help!- Mike -
"If I ever need additional legal assistance, David McBride will be the first attorney I turn to."
David McBride is an excellent attorney. I cannot thank him enough for putting me at ease and for resolving my legal problems.On occasion when I needed to contact him and he was not available, his staff were amazingly helpful, and David promptly followed up with me even though his staff had already addressed my concerns. If I ever need additional legal assistance, David McBride will be the first attorney I turn to.- Leslie -
"Excellent services provided."
Excellent services provided....David and his staff did a great job with our personal and business needs. Highly recommend McBride & Associates!- Ted -
"THANK YOU McBride & Assoc !!! :)"
Not only is the entire "family" of McBride & Associates professional, they are outstandingly friendly. They complement one another, working amazingly well together to exceed all of my legal needs and inquiries in a very timely manner. Highly recommended. THANK YOU McBride & Assoc !!! :)- Douglas -
"I have had nothing but excellent experiences with the law firm of McBride & Associates."
I have had nothing but excellent experiences with the law firm of McBride & Associates. McBride & Associates has helped my family and extended family with many legal situations including estate planning, an auto accident, and dealing with prior creditors. I have known David McBride for years and he is very knowledgeable and not only a great attorney but someone who truly cares. I never would want anyone else representing me but David and his staff!- Darrell
Questions an Oklahoma City Succession Plan Should Address
The right structure depends on the company, its current ownership, and the owner’s intended transition. A plan can address a scheduled departure as well as incapacity or death before the expected transfer date.
Important decisions commonly include:
- Future ownership: Will an interest pass to family members, existing partners, key employees, a management group, or an outside buyer?
- Management authority: Who can make operational decisions during an interim period and after the transition?
- Transfer timing: Will ownership change at once, in stages, or after a defined event?
- Unexpected incapacity: Who can act if the owner becomes unable to manage the company before a planned exit?
- Estate coordination: Do the owner’s will, trust, powers of attorney, beneficiary designations, and business documents support the same objectives?
Legal Tools for Ownership & Management Succession
No single document fits every transition. Depending on the ownership structure and intended successor, planning may involve updating existing agreements or preparing documents that govern authority and ownership transfers.
Potential planning tools include:
- Operating, partnership, or shareholder agreements that define ownership rights and decision-making authority.
- A buy-sell agreement that sets the terms for purchasing an owner’s interest after specified events.
- Transfer restrictions that govern when and how an ownership interest may change hands.
- Employment or management agreements that document future leadership roles.
- Wills, trusts, and powers of attorney that coordinate personal estate and incapacity planning with the business transition.
Business valuation, funding, insurance, and tax treatment may also shape the plan. When appropriate, we coordinate the legal work with financial, insurance, valuation, accounting, and tax professionals.
Personalized Planning Built Around Your Priorities
A family transfer may require a different approach from a partner buyout, employee transition, or third-party sale. We tailor each plan to the owner’s business relationships, family circumstances, financial objectives, and desired level of involvement after the transition.
Our education-focused process explains the purpose and effect of each legal choice before documents are signed. We provide personal service at reasonable rates and coordinate with other professional advisers when the plan requires their input.
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Handled Thousands of Cases
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Experienced in Both Consumer and Business Bankruptcy
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Offer Free Initial Consultation*
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Helping Clients Since 1996
Build a Clear Path for Your Business Transition
Thoughtful succession planning connects future ownership and management with your personal estate plan. Schedule a consultation to discuss who should own and manage the company, how authority should pass, and which documents may need attention. The first hour of most initial consultations is free.
Call McBride & Associates, P.C. at (405) 896-3615 to begin planning your next steps.
We have been guiding clients through Consumer and Business Bankruptcy for more than 30 years. Sit down with one of our bankruptcy attorneys to learn how we can help you too.