You don't need to fear this terror, because you can and should plan to avoid it. If you have high-value patents or trademarks, here are your immediate next steps, the only way to truly protect your legacy:Action 1: IP Inventory. Create a detailed, organized inventory listing every registration number, filing date, and maintenance schedule for every IP asset. Also include details identifying any unregistered assets. Give this to your lawyer and your estate executor.Action 2: Check Your LLC Agreement. Immediately review your LLC Operating Agreement for specific clauses covering the death or incapacity of a member. These clauses dictate the fate of the company, and by extension, its IP assets. This goes for partnership agreements and corporation bylaws as well.Action 3: Consult the Right Lawyer. Schedule a consultation with an attorney who handles both intellectual property protection and business succession planning. You need an attorney who sees your assets not just as legal filings, but as high-value, life-long components of your estate. If they are not well-versed in full estate planning, have them work with the attorney handling your primary estate planning needs.If you are serious about protecting the assets you've worked so hard for, don't let the True Terror of Poor Planning define your legacy.Intellectual property is one of the most terrifyingly useful tools you have. If you’re a creator or other entrepreneur ready to build a frighteningly powerful brand and business, you need to know how to use it. You don't have to face the darkness alone. To learn more about protecting your creations, your name, your business, and your legacy, you can book a consultation with me at kingpatentlaw.com. I’m Julie King, a licensed attorney in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, and I help entrepreneurs across the U.S. make smart, legally sound decisions about their intellectual property.If this episode helped you survive the horror of learning about how to protect and manage your intellectual property and business, please like and subscribe if you haven’t already! You can find all of my other frighteningly good content on the King Patent Law website, at "Spellbinding IP: Patent, Trademark, and Business Strategy" on all major podcast platforms, and at @kingpatentlaw on most social media. The information provided in this episode is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or form an attorney-client relationship. You should not act on any information presented here without first seeking the counsel of a licensed attorney for your specific legal needs. Thank you for tuning in. Stay legally sharp, and keep rocking your IP!#patent #trademark #copyright #intellectualproperty #businesstips #estateplanning #successionplanning