Estate Planning for Orthopedic Surgeons

Many orthopedic surgeons build wealth that's spread across several entities: a share of the practice, a share of an ASC, interests in imaging or physical therapy, real estate, and retirement plans. Each one may have its own operating agreement that controls what happens if an owner dies or becomes disabled. An estate plan has to work with all of those agreements. Physician Planning Partners is an introduction service. We connect orthopedic surgeons with independent estate planning attorneys we select to partner with.

Why orthopedic estate planning needs coordination

• ASC and practice buy-sell terms. Many agreements require the entity or other partners to buy back an owner's shares, sometimes using a set formula. Your estate plan should account for that.
• Disability before death. Orthopedics is physically demanding. An injury that stops you from operating can trigger buy-out clauses, so incapacity planning matters.
• Real estate held separately. Medical office buildings are often owned by physician partnerships, which adds another set of transfer rules.
• Late start, fast growth. Surgeons who finish training in their mid-thirties often go from heavy debt to significant assets within a few years.

Topics an estate attorney may review

1. Wills, revocable trusts, and guardianship for children.
2. How ASC, practice, and real estate interests pass under each agreement.
3. Durable powers of attorney and healthcare directives.
4. Beneficiary designations on retirement plans and life insurance.
5. Coordinating life insurance with buy-sell funding.

Only a licensed attorney can advise on your situation, and state law varies. The attorney we introduce works for you, not for Physician Planning Partners.

Bring your agreements

Before meeting an attorney, gather your practice, ASC, and real estate operating agreements, along with any buy-sell documents. Reviewing them alongside your plan helps keep your will, trust, and business agreements from conflicting.

How the introduction works

1. Tell us about your family, ownership interests, and existing documents.
2. We suggest an independent estate planning attorney we partner with.
3. You meet them directly and decide whether to engage.

Frequently asked questions

Do you draft estate documents?

No. Physician Planning Partners isn't a law firm. The attorneys we introduce do that work under their own license.

What happens to my ASC shares if I die?

It usually depends on the ASC's operating agreement. An attorney can review it with your estate plan.

Should my estate plan address disability?

Many surgeons include it, since disability can affect practice and ASC ownership. Ask an attorney how to plan for it.

Is there a cost for the introduction?

No. You pay the attorney directly if you engage them. We may receive compensation from partner businesses.

Physician Planning Partners is an introduction service, not a law firm, and this page is general information, not legal advice. See our disclaimer.