July 10, 2014

Are you planning to keep the Family Business “in the family”? Did you know that family businesses now make up as much as 50 percent of the gross domestic product of the entire country? We’re not just talking about small storefronts or website companies, either. Over one-third of Fortune 500 companies are controlled by families in some sense. It’s critical that as a small business owner, you plan ahead for the future with a succession plan. Here are some of the most common issues facing small business owners with a family connection.

(Photo Credit: merchantcircle.com)

• Align your family interests: As members begin to retire or hand off control to other generations, the interest alignment of these individuals becomes all the more important.
• Generational transitions: Think about the future, because only one third of all family businesses actually end up passing the business on to the second generation. You might want to have alternative plans.
• Interfamily disputes have the potential to dominate family-owned businesses especially when perception of needs is not lined up between key players. This becomes even more complicated when there is a death or divorce involved.
• Retirement income: A buyout agreement doesn’t have to be complex, but it is harder to do with a family business because retiring individuals might be more focused on a balance sheet rather than an earnings capitalization model.
• Estate and inheritance issues: While individual planning is important, there should also be plans in place that relate to the business.

All of these issues are just a sample of concerns for those involved in a family business. Contact our office today to learn more about our Business Succession Planning practice. Email info@lawesq.net or contact us via phone at 732-521-9455 to get started.