
Business Succession Planning to Secure Your Legacy
You've built a successful business through years of dedication and hard work. Now it's time to think about its future—and yours. At Harry J. Brown, PLLC, we help business owners create comprehensive succession plans that ensure business continuity, protect your legacy, and maximize value during ownership transitions.
Whether you're planning for retirement, preparing for unexpected events, or structuring the transfer to the next generation, our succession planning services provide the legal framework for a smooth transition.
Comprehensive Business Succession Services
Ownership Transfer Strategies
We develop customized strategies for transferring business ownership, including:
✔ Family succession planning
✔ Sales to key employees or third parties
✔ Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs)
✔ Gifting strategies and estate planning integration
✔ Recapitalizations and reorganizations
Business Continuity Planning
Prepare for unexpected events with plans that ensure business operations continue smoothly:
✔ Emergency succession provisions
✔ Key person contingency planning
✔ Temporary leadership structures
✔ Crisis management protocols
Buy-Sell Agreements
These essential documents establish terms for ownership transfers in various scenarios:
✔ Triggering events (death, disability, retirement)
✔ Valuation methods
✔ Funding mechanisms
✔ Payment terms
✔ Rights of first refusal
Leadership Development Planning
We help you create legal frameworks to support:
✔ Gradual transition of management responsibilities
✔ Mentoring and training programs
✔ Authority delegation structures
✔ Performance metrics and milestones
The Importance of Succession Planning
Without a formal succession plan, your business faces significant risks:
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Family conflicts over business control and direction
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Loss of key customers and employees during transitions
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Reduced business value and unfavorable sale terms
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Tax inefficiencies and unnecessary liabilities
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Business failure after an unexpected owner departure


Our Succession Planning Process
1. Assessment: We analyze your business structure, key personnel, and long-term goals.
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2. Strategy Development: We create customized succession strategies aligned with your objectives.
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3. Documentation: We draft comprehensive legal documents to implement your plan.
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4. Funding Analysis: We review insurance and financing options to support your succession plan.
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5. Integration: We ensure your succession plan coordinates with your personal estate plan.
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6. Regular Review: We periodically update your plan to reflect business changes and evolving goals.

When to Start Succession Planning
The best time to begin succession planning is well before you need it. Consider starting the process if:
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You're within 5-10 years of your desired exit date
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Your business represents a significant portion of your wealth
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You have family members or key employees interested in taking over
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You want to maximize business value for eventual sale
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You're concerned about business continuity if something happens to you
Why Choose Harry J. Brown for Business Succession Planning
1
Integrated Approach
We coordinate succession planning with estate planning and business strategies.
2
Experience With Family Businesses
We understand the unique dynamics of family succession.
3
Tax-Efficient Strategies
We implement approaches that minimize tax impacts during transitions.
4
Collaboration With Advisors
We work with your financial planners, accountants, and business consultants.
5
Clear Implementation Roadmap
We provide actionable steps, not just theoretical plans.

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