Business
interest—Power to manage and control.
Identifying Business
I presently own certain stock which represents the
controlling interest in the _________(Name) Company of _________(City),
_________(State).
Powers Applicable to Corporations,
Partnerships and Sole Proprietorship
I anticipate that at the time of my death I will own
such stock in that company or in a successor to it, or that I will own a
controlling interest in another business enterprise (whether operated in the
form of a corporation, a partnership or a sole proprietorship), referred to
below as the "business," and consequently I expect that some such
business enterprise will be in my estate at the time of my death. Since I
desire that my Executor and Trustee shall continue to hold and operate each
such business as a part of my estate and the trust funds created under this
instrument, I hereby vest my Executor and Trustee, severally, including any
successors to either, with the following powers and authority, as supplemental
to the ones contained in Article _________(General Powers) the
applicability of which to the business I confirm, without limitation by reason
of specification, and in addition to powers conferred by law, all of which may
be exercised with respect to every such business, whether a corporation, a
partnership or a sole proprietorship:
Retention
A. To retain and continue to operate the business
for such period as the Executor or Trustee, as the case may be, may deem
advisable.
Management and Delegation
B. To control, direct and manage the business. In
this connection, the Executor or Trustee, in its sole discretion, shall
determine the manner and extent of its active participation in the operation,
and the Executor or the Trustee may delegate all or any part of its power to
supervise and operate, to such person or persons as it may select, including
any associate, partner, officer or employee of the business.
Personnel
C. To hire and discharge officers and employees, fix
their compensation and define their duties; and similarly to employ, compensate
and discharge agents, attorneys, consultants, accountants and such other
representatives as the Executor or Trustee may deem appropriate; including the
right to employ any beneficiary (or individual Trustee) in any of the above
capacities.
Investments and Loans
D. To invest other estate or trust funds in such
business; to pledge other assets of the estate or trust as security for loans
made to such business; and to loan funds from the trust to such business.
Incorporation
E. To organize a corporation under the laws of this
or any other state or country and to transfer to such corporation all or any
part of the business or other property held in the estate or trust, and to
receive in exchange for such transfer such stocks, bonds and other securities
as the Executor or Trustee may deem advisable.
Partnership Proprietorship
F. To take any action required to convert any
corporation into a partnership or sole proprietorship.
Business Separate Entity
G. To treat the business as an entity separate from
the estate or trusts. In its accountings to the court and to any beneficiaries,
the Trustee shall only be required to report the earnings and condition of the
business in accordance with standard corporate accounting practice.
Retention of Earnings
H. To retain in the business such amount of the net
earnings for working capital and other purposes of the business as the Executor
or Trustee may deem advisable in conformity with sound business practice.
Merchandise and Equipment
I. To purchase, process and sell merchandise of
every kind and description; and to purchase and sell machinery and equipment,
furniture and fixtures and supplies of all kinds.
Sale and Liquidation
J. To sell or liquidate all or any part of any
business at such time and price and upon such terms and conditions (including
credit) as the Executor or Trustee may determine. The Executor or the Trustee
is specifically authorized and empowered to make such sale to any partner,
officer or employee of the business (or to any individual Personal
Representative or Trustee) or to any beneficiary under this instrument.
Conjunctive Action
K. To exercise any of the rights and powers
conferred by this instrument in conjunction with another or others.
Scope of Business
L. To diminish, enlarge or change the scope or
nature of any business.
Exoneration of Trustee
I am aware that certain risks are inherent in the
operation of any business. Therefore, I direct that my Personal Representative
and Trustee shall not be held liable for any loss resulting from the retention
and operation of any business unless such loss shall result directly from the
Personal Representative's or Trustee's gross negligence or wilful misconduct.
In determining any question of liability for losses, it should be considered
that the Personal Representative or Trustee, as the case may be, is engaging in
a speculative enterprise at my express request.
Indemnity for Trustee
If any business operated by my Personal
Representative or Trustee pursuant to the authorization contained in this will
shall be unincorporated, then I direct that all liabilities arising from such
business shall be satisfied first from the business itself and second out of
the estate or trust estates. It is my intention that in no event shall any such
liability be enforced against the Personal Representative or Trustee personally.
If the Personal Representative or Trustee shall be held personally liable, it
shall be entitled to indemnity first from the business and second from the
estate or trust estates.