Family business disputes often arise when a founder dies or loses the capacity to manage the company. They sometimes begin with a medical diagnosis that changes everything, the power of attorney that family members question, or a will that surprises everyone in the room when it is finally read. Whether a founder has passed away or has simply lost the capacity to make decisions, a business left without a clear succession plan can cause disagreements between family members that quickly escalate into legal conflicts involving estates, corporate ownership, and control of the business.