Business Succession Planning
Preparing for Your Exit
Plan ahead for a smooth, successful business transition
If you’re a business owner, transitioning out of your company is one of the most significant financial and personal decisions you’ll ever make. Whether your goal is retirement, a new venture, or passing the business to the next generation, the earlier you begin planning, the more options you’ll have. We help you align your exit strategy with your personal goals—identifying successors, improving business value, and developing a clear timeline that makes sense for you and your business.
Succession Strategies
Choose the right path for your business and your legacy
Every business is different, and so is every succession plan. We’ll help you explore all available options to transition ownership in a way that supports your goals and the company’s future.
- Sell to a Third Party: Whether it’s a strategic buyer, private equity firm, or individual investor, we help you prepare the business for sale and evaluate offers that reflect its full value.
- Pass to Family Members: Many owners want to keep the business in the family. We help you structure transitions that are fair to all heirs—whether they’re active in the business or not.
- Management Buyouts: Trusted employees may be the best candidates to carry your business forward. We can help you design buyout strategies that reward loyalty and maintain continuity.
- Gradual Ownership Transitions: In some cases, transferring ownership over time—through gifting, installment sales, or ESOPs—may make sense from both a tax and operational perspective.
- Buy-Sell Agreements:
For businesses with multiple partners, having a clear and funded buy-sell agreement is essential to protect all parties and ensure a smooth transition in case of retirement, death, or disability.
Each strategy can be supported by the right legal and insurance structures to reduce risk and maximize value.
Financial Implications of a Sale
Preserve the wealth your business created
Selling your business creates a major liquidity event—but what happens next is just as important. We help you manage the proceeds strategically, ensuring your personal retirement goals are funded and your taxes are minimized. From capital gains considerations to income planning and investment strategies, we work with your CPA and attorney to create a seamless financial transition. If you’re counting on the sale to fund retirement, we’ll show you how to structure your portfolio and cash flow accordingly.
Coordinating with Professionals
A team-based approach to every exit
Successful business succession requires collaboration. We work alongside your legal and tax advisors to align every piece of the plan—from valuation and entity structuring to contract language and tax treatment. If you don’t yet have those relationships in place, we can help you build the right advisory team. Our role is to ensure your business exit works not just on paper—but in real life, for you and your family.
Plan Early, Update Often
Exit strategies evolve—your plan should, too
Waiting until you’re ready to retire to plan your exit often limits your options. We recommend beginning the process 5–10 years in advance, when you’re still in control and can make strategic decisions. We also review your plan regularly as your business grows and your goals change. Too many owners regret not planning sooner—our job is to make sure you’re not one of them.
