WINDOWS Magazine Summer 2015 | Page 23

AWA Scholarship 2016 • Sale contract for business or shares in the company. • Deeds of assignment of leases, copyright/ leased equipment. • Charges over chattels and releases. • Restraints of competition. Leaving the business in your will This can be an easy option to let somebody else worry about it. Often the value of a business is in its owner or management. If you die, is there someone who can carry on the business? If you leave the business to family members, will they be able to continue operating it at least until it can be sold? If you are a part owner, will your other owners have the money to buy your share from the estate? Is there cross life insurance for this? Is there an agreed value or method of valuation to determine the value of the business if you die or will your family just have to accept what the other owners want pay – if anything? When you die, your executor stands in your shoes as the owner of your business. Will this person have the knowledge and experience to carry on your business? Consider whether you should appoint a trustee for your business who has the skills and experience to carry on the business so it can be sold. Alternatively, consider directing your executor to take advice from a professional or other advisor about the business. I have only touched lightly on this subject. The key point you should take away is that a business succession plan is not something you start when you are thinking of retiring. It is never too soon to start. PURPOSE The AWA Scholarship Program was established to provide the families THE AWARD of employees of The Scholarship is Australian Window a one year, nonAssociation members renewable scholarship with an opportunity of $2,500 towards to obtain financial aid an engineering, for higher education technical or design and to encourage the field of study or growth of the building apprenticeship. products industry. The Scholarship This scholarship was may be used at also established to indirectly support any accredited educational college, university or vocational technical institutions institution in Australia. nationwide. ELIGIBILITY To be eligible, students must intend to commence tertiary or vocational study at any level of university, accredited non-profit college or vocational technical institution in 2016. Students must be dependent children of employees of AWA member companies in good standing. For more information and to download an application form, visit the Members Only section of the AWA website: www.awa.org.au/members. Applications must be submitted by January 29, 2016. The scholarship will be awarded by February 25, 2016. Summer 2015 www.awa.org.au 21