Business Planning & Succession – Protecting Your Business Legacy

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Your Business Is More Than a Job—it’s Your Life’s Work

Whether you run a family-owned restaurant, a second generation jewelry store, or a growing technology company, your business likely represents years of hard work, personal sacrifice, and dedication. Planning for the unexpected—and for the day you step away—is critical to keeping that legacy alive. We help small and family business owners create practical, financially sound strategies that protect the company’s future and the people who rely on it.

Buy-Sell Agreement Funding That Works When You Need It

 A buy-sell agreement sets the rules for what happens if a co-owner dies, becomes disabled, or decides to leave the business. But without proper funding, even the best-written agreement can fall apart.


We design insurance solutions that ensure cash is available when it matters most:


  • Life Insurance for Co-Owners – Provides a lump sum to buy out a deceased partner’s share without draining company resources.


  • Disability Buy-Out Insurance – Funds the purchase of an owner’s share if they can no longer work due to illness or injury.


Whether your agreement is structured as cross-purchase or entity-purchase, we work alongside your attorney and CPA to match the right insurance coverage to your agreement’s terms.

Protecting Your Company with Key Person Insurance

Some people are simply irreplaceable in the short term—a lead salesperson, a master technician, or the founder who holds the vision. Key person insurance provides the company with funds to weather the loss of a vital leader, giving you breathing room to recruit, train, and retain clients without financial panic. We help identify who qualifies as a “key person” and secure coverage that matches your operational risk.

Planning for the Day

You Step Away

Retirement, a planned sale, or passing the business to the next generation—it all requires forethought. Our exit and continuation planning services help you:


  • Align your personal retirement goals with your business transition timeline.


  • Structure buyouts or sales to maximize value and minimize disruption.


  • Use life insurance or annuities to create predictable retirement income from sale proceeds.



  • Support a smooth transfer to children or chosen successors.


For family businesses, we can also explore ways to keep things fair—such as using life insurance to provide value to heirs who aren’t active in the company—while preserving the company’s stability.

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Risk Management for Business Owners

Unexpected events—market downturns, owner illness, or sudden loss of a top producer—can quickly derail a business. We review your current protections and suggest strategies such as:


  • Overhead expense insurance to keep bills paid if the owner is temporarily out.


  • Coordinating with your property & liability agents to ensure coverage fits your operations.



  • Integrating advanced cash flow tools like Infinite Banking for expansion or buyouts.

FAQs – Business Planning & Succession

  • What should a buy-sell agreement include?

    Trigger events (death, disability, retirement), a valuation method, and a funding plan. We focus on the funding side and coordinate with your legal and tax professionals.

  • How much insurance do we need for a buy-sell?

    Typically, enough to match the value of each owner’s share. We can help determine a realistic amount and review it as your business grows.

  • Is key person insurance tax-deductible?

    Generally, no—but the benefit is typically received tax-free by the company. We’ll explain the details and work with your tax advisor.

  • Do sole owners need succession planning?

    Absolutely. Without a plan, your business’s value could evaporate if something happens to you. We help create instructions, name interim managers, and secure coverage to protect your family.

  • Can my business fund my retirement?

    Possibly—but market conditions, timing, and buyer availability make it risky to rely solely on a sale. We encourage building retirement savings alongside your business equity.

Protect Your Business Legacy

Your business is too important to leave its future to chance. From buy-sell agreements to key person coverage, we’ll help you put the right plans in place so your company can thrive for years to come.



Contact us to schedule your business planning consultation.