Skip to main content

  • Email: heather.dissmeyer@equitable.com
  • Client Login

  • Home
  • Team 
    • Our Commitment
    • Our Process
  • Our Services 
    • Our Services
    • Investments
    • Insurance
    • Long Term Care Insurance
    • Retirement Planning
    • Managing Your Finances
    • Asset Allocation
    • Business Succession Planning
  • Resources 
    • Useful Websites
    • Calculator Library
  • Contact

    You are here

  1. Home
  2. Our Services
  3. Business Succession Planning

Business Succession Planning

The death of a partner or major stockholder in a business can have devastating effects on both the business and the deceased partner’s surviving family.  The business is concerned with gaining control of the deceased partner’s interest at a fair price so that it can continue operations without interference from the surviving family members.  The family members are most concerned with receiving as much money as possible for their interest in the business and for capital that may be needed for estate settlement purposes.

 

The Need for a Written Agreement

Absent a written agreement, the competing interests of the business and the family members could lead to major conflicts, litigation and possibly the forced liquidation of the business.  A buy-sell agreement can ensure that the business interest of the deceased partner will transfer in an orderly manner to the benefit and satisfaction of all parties.  With a buy-sell agreement in place, the stability of the business for it clients, employees and investors (or creditors) is more assured.

Key elements of a buy-sell agreement include a mutually agreeable sales price and terms of the sale.  The business share holders will need to employ the services of a business valuation service, as well as an attorney to draft the agreement. Once it is created the agreement needs to be funded in order to ensure that the capital is available at the time of the death of a partner.  Life insurance can provide a cost effective means of creating the capital necessary to buy out the interests of the family and establish a reserve for the business to use  to continue its operations.

 

Types of Business Owner Buy-Sell Arrangements

Entity Plan: Under this arrangement, used when there are multiple owners, each of the business owners has a separate agreement with the corporation or partnership as the entity.  The entity, per the buy-sell agreement, will buy the deceased partner’s interest at his or her death. 

Cross Purchase Agreement: Used in situations where there are two or three owners, a cross purchase agreement is established between each of the owners. At the death of one of the owners, the surviving owners agree to buy a proportionate share of the deceased owner’s interest.

Buy-Sell arrangements are a simple, yet effective way for business owners of privately held companies to plan for the orderly transfer of business interests where two or more owners are actively involved in the business. In addition in helping to secure of the surviving family members and ensuring the continuation of the business, a buy-sell arrangement also ensures each owner that there is a buyer for their business interest at a fair price.

Business succession planning involves legal, tax and personal financial issues. Guidance from a qualified attorney or tax professional is strongly recommended.

For more information on business succession planning, contact us today.

Our Services

  • Our Services
  • Investments
  • Insurance
  • Long Term Care Insurance
  • Retirement Planning
  • Managing Your Finances
  • Asset Allocation
  • Business Succession Planning

Book a Meeting

Tell a Friend

Reflection Financial Strategies
REFLECT. REFINE. REJOICE.

Like Our Services? Let others know!

Refer Us Today

  • Sitemap
  • Legal, privacy, copyright and trademark information
  • 7400 W. 110th St. STE #700, Overland Park, KS 66210 United States
  • Email: heather.dissmeyer@equitable.com

Fee-based, and non-fee based financial planning is offered by financial professionals who are investment advisor representatives of Equitable Advisors, LLC, an SEC-registered investment advisor. For purposes of content clarification, "advisor" is used as a general term to describe insurance/annuity and investment sales and advisory professionals who may hold varied licensing as insurance agents, registered representatives of broker-dealers, and investment advisor representatives (IAR) of registered investment advisors, respectively.  "Advisor" in this context is not intended to necessarily refer to IAR-offered financial advisory/planning services. 

Securities offered through Equitable Advisors, LLC (NY, NY 212-314-4600), member FINRA/SIPC (Equitable Financial Advisors in MI & TN). Investment advisory products and services offered through Equitable Advisors, LLC, an SEC registered investment advisor.  Annuity and insurance products offered through Equitable Network, LLC, which conducts business in CA as Equitable Network Insurance Agency of California, LLC, in UT as Equitable Network Insurance Agency of Utah, LLC, in PR as Equitable Network of Puerto Rico, Inc.  Equitable Advisors and its affiliates do not provide tax or legal advice. Please consult your tax and legal advisors regarding your particular circumstances.  Individuals may transact business, which includes offering products and services and/or responding to inquiries, only in state(s) in which they are properly registered and/or licensed. The information in this website is not investment or securities advice and does not constitute an offer. For more information about Equitable Advisors, LLC you may visit https://equitable.com/crs to review the firm’s Relationship Summary for Retail Investors and General Conflicts of Interest Disclosure.

Reflection Financial Strategies is not a registered investment advisor and is not owned or operated by Equitable Advisors or Equitable Network. AGE-127617 (Rev. 12/21) (Exp. 10/23)

https://brokercheck.finra.org/

© 2023 Reflection Financial Strategies. All rights reserved.

Website Design For Financial Services Professionals