Pre-sale tax planning, succession structuring, and the careful transition from concentrated business capital to diversified personal wealth.
Two to five years from a sale, there is still meaningful time to structure. Without proactive planning, a significant portion of sale proceeds — often 20–40% or more — goes to taxes that could have been reduced or deferred. The window for most planning strategies closes well before the LOI is signed.
Nearly all net worth is locked in the business. There is no diversification, no personal investment portfolio, and no clear plan for what happens if the business underperforms or the sale takes longer than expected. Personal financial planning cannot begin in earnest until the exit is structured.
The owner wants to transfer the business to family members or key employees — but hasn't structured it to minimize estate and gift tax exposure. GRATs, intentionally defective grantor trusts (IDGTs), installment sales to family members, and employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs) all require years of lead time.
Structuring the sale to minimize federal and state capital gains. Asset vs. stock sale analysis, installment sale modeling, opportunity zone investments, and charitable structures — all designed before the deal process begins.
Determining whether the business qualifies for the 100% federal capital gains exclusion under Section 1202 — and if not, what steps might preserve or establish eligibility in advance of a sale.
Family limited partnerships, GRATs, IDGTs, and installment sales designed to transfer business interests to the next generation or key employees with minimum estate and gift tax exposure.
After decades of having almost all wealth in a single illiquid asset, transitioning to a diversified investment portfolio requires deliberate planning. We build the post-sale investment policy and asset allocation strategy before the transaction closes.
The sale of a business is often the most significant estate planning trigger a family will ever face. We coordinate trust structures, beneficiary updates, and gifting programs alongside the transaction to ensure the family's estate plan is aligned with its new reality.
A comprehensive personal financial plan built around the sale — covering taxes, investment strategy, estate planning, charitable giving, family governance, and long-term goals. Built to last, not to impress at a first meeting.
"The single biggest mistake business owners make is waiting until the LOI is signed to start planning. At that point, most of the tax-saving strategies are off the table. The planning that moves the needle happens two to four years before the sale."
— Shirley Nelson, JD, CFP® | Lead Wealth Advisor
If an exit is in your five-year horizon, now is the time to build the plan. We work with owners at every stage.
Request a ConsultationPre-sale structuring, capital gains strategy, and charitable giving vehicles.
Learn moreGRATs, IDGTs, and trust structures for business succession and generational transfer.
Learn moreQSBS analysis, Section 1202 eligibility, and concentrated position diversification.
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