Business Succession


One of the important decisions a business owner must face is when and how to step out of the business — in other words, business succession planning.  Do you expect to retire from your business?  Do you have a plan in place?  What would happen to your business if you were to die today?  Do you have children you hope to bring into the business?  These are questions only you can answer, and your answers will lead you and your financial, tax and legal advisors to a course of action.

When you develop a succession plan for your business, you have two basic choices: you can sell your business or you can give it away. Once you choose to either sell or gift, you can structure your plan to go into effect during your lifetime or at your death.
 
The major benefits when you sell your business interest are control and cash. You keep control of your interest or business assets until you are ready to let go, and you decide how much or how little you want to sell.

Selling provides cash (or assets) and you choose the timing.
When you sell your business interest or assets, you receive cash (or assets you can convert to cash) that can be used to maintain your lifestyle or pay your estate expenses.  You can choose when you want to sell — now, at your retirement, at your death, or at some point in-between.  You can sell your interest during your lifetime and receive cash to use for your retirement, a new business venture, or that trip around the world you've been putting off.  When done at your death, an asset sale can provide cash for your estate to use in paying your final expenses or for distribution to your beneficiaries.

There are many succession strategies to achieve specific goals for your business interest.  In order to choose the right ‘type’ of succession plan, be sure to seek counsel from a Financial Advisor, CPA® and attorney.