All business partnerships eventually come to an end when one or more partners leave the business, whether by choice or otherwise. Being prepared for the end of the partnership decreases the possibility of unwanted challenges between co-owners down the road.
Common Reasons Why Partnerships End
Co-owners share a unique relationship. They have built a company together, sometimes out of nothing. They have been through the good times and the bad, working diligently to keep their company thriving.
Partnerships between co-owners, like any relationship, change over time. Partners can grow apart; goals and visions can change. Co-owners may have different financial situations or targets. The ways in which they intend to take care of their families in the future may differ. Partners may be on different timelines due to age, health concerns, or personal interests. And of course, one owner may become disabled or die unexpectedly. The reasons for a partnership to end vary widely. Being prepared for any of these scenarios is crucial.
Ways to Limit Co-Owner Friction
Being prepared for the worst can significantly ease tensions between all parties involved, both today and at the end of the partnership. There are several things to keep in mind when attempting to limit friction between co-owners.
Retirement Needs Analysis
Consider how much each co-owner will want (or need) on the day he/she leaves the business. Each owner should understand what the value of the company is today, where the company will need to be when each owner decides to leave, and how much an owner will need or want to sustain their life after their departure. This is a combination of each owner separately reviewing their personal financial situation, as well as a cooperative effort to understand the current and expected future value of the business. Once these are known, owners can work together to plan now for the various possible ways each may leave the business in the future.
Risk/Liability Assessment
Each co-owner cares about the potential risk or liability associated with the business after a co-owner departs. The departure could impact the company. There may be a risk that employees loyal to that owner may also leave. Customers may feel anxious when an important partner departs. Sales may lag. The risks following the departure of an owner are different for every business. Identifying them now and putting measures in place to minimize these risks can make all the difference.
Ownership Agreements
Owners are sometimes caught off guard by an unexpected need to buy out a co-owner. Whether that co-owner has decided to retire or has recently passed away, conflict may arise about who will buy the ownership interest, how it will be valued, and what rights it includes. If the business is likely to experience a disruption at or after the departure, concerns may be magnified. Insurance to buy out a co-owner may not be available, or if it’s available it may not be enough. Disagreements and financial challenges can distract owners and cause the business to suffer. A carefully constructed and regularly reviewed ownership agreement (also called a buy-sell agreement) can address most of these issues in advance in a way that all owners (those who later leave and those who stay behind) believe is fair.
We strive to help business owners identify and prioritize their objectives with respect to their business, their employees, and their family. If you are ready to talk about your goals for the future and get insights into how you might achieve those goals, we’d be happy to sit down and talk with you. Please feel free to contact us at your convenience.
The information contained in this article is general in nature and is not legal, tax or financial advice. For information regarding your particular situation, contact an attorney or a tax or financial advisor. The information in this newsletter is provided with the understanding that it does not render legal, accounting, tax or financial advice. In specific cases, clients should consult their legal, accounting, tax or financial advisor. This article is not intended to give advice or to represent our firm as being qualified to give advice in all areas of professional services. Exit Planning is a discipline that typically requires the collaboration of multiple professional advisors. To the extent that our firm does not have the expertise required on a particular matter, we will always work closely with you to help you gain access to the resources and professional advice that you need.
This is published by Business Enterprise Institute, Inc., and presented to you by our firm.
Any examples provided are hypothetical and for illustrative purposes only. Examples include fictitious names and do not represent any particular person or entity.