The Principles of Family Business Law offers an accessible approach to legal issues that shape family businesses. Drawing on years of research, the book introduces three principles – intimacy, integration, and inheritance – that explain why family businesses are distinctive and how, with proper guidance, they can thrive. The book examines recurring problems such as role conflicts among family members, succession planning obstacles, and ownership disputes. Vivid case studies illustrate how legal rules interact with family dynamics in practice.
Designed for scholars, students, lawyers, and business advisors, the book integrates insights from corporate law, family law, and estate planning, while remaining readable and grounded in real-world concerns. Whether used in the classroom or in practice, it provides essential tools for navigating the complex interplay of law and family business. By supporting the resilience of family businesses, the book affirms the family and community values they help to sustain.
Benjamin Means is Professor of Law and John T. Campbell Chair in Business and Professional Ethics at the Joseph F. Rice School of Law at the University of South Carolina.
