Pros and Cons of Selling to Family

A business transfer to your children or other family members is a great way to ensure your business culture and legacy remain intact. You get to share a valuable asset with people you love and will probably have ongoing opportunities to stay involved in the business you started.

On the downside, your children may not actually want the business and may feel pressured to take on something for which they have no real interest (or even aptitude). What’s more, selling to your kids typically involves a gradual payout, most times 7-10 years, meaning you lose out if business performance declines. That can be a difficult, dicey thing, capable of driving a wedge between you and the people you care about most.

For advice on exit planning or selling a business, contact Al Statz, CEO of Exit Strategies Group, Inc., at alstatz@exitstrategiesgroup.com. Exit Strategies Group is a partner in the Cornerstone International Alliance.