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Client Access
+1 303-690-5070
Client Access
Home
Who We Serve
Families
Business Owners and Executives
Life Transitions
Women’s Wealth and Wellness
Services
Financial Advice Services
Business Succession Planning
Real Estate Planning
Wealth Transfer Planning
Concentrated Equity Strategies
Investment Advice
401k Advice for Individuals and Businesses
Stock and Stock Fund Investments
Asset Allocation and Portfolio Management
IRAs: Roth, Rollover, Inherited and More
Annuities of All Kinds
Investment Performance Analysis
Hedging Strategies and Alternatives
Stock Option Planning
Environmental Social and Governance Investing
Insurance and Risk Management
Tax and Estate Planning
Resources
Blog
Investment Advice Videos
Go Tax Free
Upcoming Events
Whitepapers
Financial Advice Podcast
About Us
Our Process, Our Promise
What We Believe
Our Team
Our History
Our Values
Our Community
Why Choose Us
Careers
Contact
Exit Planning Process
Our 7-step process helps a business owner maximize their financial return, minimize their tax liability, plan for contingencies,
and successfully transfer their business.
Exit Planning
OVERVIEW
Choose an Answer
Rate Importance
1. Do you know your exact retirement goals and what it should take - in cash - to reach them?
---
Yes
No
Please rate how important this area is to your overall business outlook.
0 - N/A
1 - Not Important
2 - Somewhat Important
3 - Important
4 - Very Important
5 - Crucial
2. Do you know how much your business is worth today, in cash?
---
Yes
No
Please rate how important this area is to your overall business outlook.
0 - N/A
1 - Not Important
2 - Somewhat Important
3 - Important
4 - Very Important
5 - Crucial
3. Do you know the best way to maximize the income stream generated by your ownership interest?
---
Yes
No
Please rate how important this area is to your overall business outlook.
0 - N/A
1 - Not Important
2 - Somewhat Important
3 - Important
4 - Very Important
5 - Crucial
4. Do you know how to sell your business to a third party and pay the least possible taxes?
---
Yes
No
Please rate how important this area is to your overall business outlook.
0 - N/A
1 - Not Important
2 - Somewhat Important
3 - Important
4 - Very Important
5 - Crucial
5. Do you know how to transfer your business to family members, co-owners, or employees while paying the least possible taxes and enjoying maximum financial security?
---
Yes
No
Please rate how important this area is to your overall business outlook.
0 - N/A
1 - Not Important
2 - Somewhat Important
3 - Important
4 - Very Important
5 - Crucial
6. Do you have a continuity plan for your business if the unexpected happens to you?
---
Yes
No
Please rate how important this area is to your overall business outlook.
0 - N/A
1 - Not Important
2 - Somewhat Important
3 - Important
4 - Very Important
5 - Crucial
7. Does your family have financial contingency plans if the unexpected happens to you?
---
Yes
No
Please rate how important this area is to your overall business outlook.
0 - N/A
1 - Not Important
2 - Somewhat Important
3 - Important
4 - Very Important
5 - Crucial
Back
Next
1 OF 7: IDENTIFY OWNER OBJECTIVES
Choose an Answer
Rate Importance
1:1. Have you identified your exit path and/or successor?
---
Yes
No
Please rate how important this area is to your overall business outlook.
0 - N/A
1 - Not Important
2 - Somewhat Important
3 - Important
4 - Very Important
5 - Crucial
1:2 Do you know how much money you may need on an annual basis, after you leave your business to live comfortably in your post-business life?
---
Yes
No
Please rate how important this area is to your overall business outlook.
0 - N/A
1 - Not Important
2 - Somewhat Important
3 - Important
4 - Very Important
5 - Crucial
1:3 Have you established the date (ex: Jan 15, 2025) you wish to stop working in and for your business?
---
Yes
No
Please rate how important this area is to your overall business outlook.
0 - N/A
1 - Not Important
2 - Somewhat Important
3 - Important
4 - Very Important
5 - Crucial
1:4 Have you quantified and prioritized your Exit Objectives and goals?
---
Yes
No
If you answered yes, please list your additional Exit Objectives and rank their importance (0-N/A, 1-Not Important, 2-Somewhat Important, 3-Important, 4-Very Important, 5-Crucial)
Please rate how important this area is to your overall business outlook.
0 - N/A
1 - Not Important
2 - Somewhat Important
3 - Important
4 - Very Important
5 - Crucial
Back
Next
2 OF 7: IDENTIFY BUSINESS AND PERSONAL FINANCIAL RESOURCES
Choose an Answer
Rate Importance
2:1. Has your business been valued in the past year?
---
Yes
No
Please rate how important this area is to your overall business outlook.
0 - N/A
1 - Not Important
2 - Somewhat Important
3 - Important
4 - Very Important
5 - Crucial
2:2 Based on future cash flow, do you know how much your business is worth today?
---
Yes
No
Please rate how important this area is to your overall business outlook.
0 - N/A
1 - Not Important
2 - Somewhat Important
3 - Important
4 - Very Important
5 - Crucial
2:3 Do you know the projected cash flow your business will generate in the next 5 to 10 years?
---
Yes
No
Please rate how important this area is to your overall business outlook.
0 - N/A
1 - Not Important
2 - Somewhat Important
3 - Important
4 - Very Important
5 - Crucial
2:4 Do you know what value you want or need from your business in order to leave it on favorable terms?
---
Yes
No
Please rate how important this area is to your overall business outlook.
0 - N/A
1 - Not Important
2 - Somewhat Important
3 - Important
4 - Very Important
5 - Crucial
2:5 Is there a shortfall between the value you need from your business and it's current value, do you have a written plan to achieve the growth in value needed in order for your to leave your business in style?
---
Yes
No
Please rate how important this area is to your overall business outlook.
0 - N/A
1 - Not Important
2 - Somewhat Important
3 - Important
4 - Very Important
5 - Crucial
3 OF 7: MAXIMIZING AND PROTECTING BUSINESS VALUE
Choose an Answer
Rate Importance
3:1 Do you have a key employee?
---
Yes
No
Please rate how important this area is to your overall business outlook.
0 - N/A
1 - Not Important
2 - Somewhat Important
3 - Important
4 - Very Important
5 - Crucial
3:2 Is your key employee incentive to increase the value of your company?
---
Yes
No
Please rate how important this area is to your overall business outlook.
0 - N/A
1 - Not Important
2 - Somewhat Important
3 - Important
4 - Very Important
5 - Crucial
3:3 Is your key employee "handcuffed" through vesting of performance incentives?
---
Yes
No
Please rate how important this area is to your overall business outlook.
0 - N/A
1 - Not Important
2 - Somewhat Important
3 - Important
4 - Very Important
5 - Crucial
3:4 Do you have an incentivized management team operating the business?
---
Yes
No
Please rate how important this area is to your overall business outlook.
0 - N/A
1 - Not Important
2 - Somewhat Important
3 - Important
4 - Very Important
5 - Crucial
3:5 Is there a plan in place to transition management responsibility that aligns with the timeline of your business exit?
---
Yes
No
Please rate how important this area is to your overall business outlook.
0 - N/A
1 - Not Important
2 - Somewhat Important
3 - Important
4 - Very Important
5 - Crucial
3:6 Have you done any Key Employee Insurance planning?
---
Yes
No
Please rate how important this area is to your overall business outlook.
0 - N/A
1 - Not Important
2 - Somewhat Important
3 - Important
4 - Very Important
5 - Crucial
3:7 Do you have a covenant not to compete in place?
---
Yes
No
Please rate how important this area is to your overall business outlook.
0 - N/A
1 - Not Important
2 - Somewhat Important
3 - Important
4 - Very Important
5 - Crucial
3:8 Have you separated business assets from business operations?
---
Yes
No
Please rate how important this area is to your overall business outlook.
0 - N/A
1 - Not Important
2 - Somewhat Important
3 - Important
4 - Very Important
5 - Crucial
3:9 Have you completed an employee compensation review and analysis?
---
Yes
No
Please rate how important this area is to your overall business outlook.
0 - N/A
1 - Not Important
2 - Somewhat Important
3 - Important
4 - Very Important
5 - Crucial
3:10 Is there a qualified retirement plan in place?
---
Yes
No
Please rate how important this area is to your overall business outlook.
0 - N/A
1 - Not Important
2 - Somewhat Important
3 - Important
4 - Very Important
5 - Crucial
3:11 Do you have an established and diverse customer base?
---
Yes
No
Please rate how important this area is to your overall business outlook.
0 - N/A
1 - Not Important
2 - Somewhat Important
3 - Important
4 - Very Important
5 - Crucial
3:12 Do you have a realistic growth strategy that aligns with your overall business and Exit Plan?
---
Yes
No
Please rate how important this area is to your overall business outlook.
0 - N/A
1 - Not Important
2 - Somewhat Important
3 - Important
4 - Very Important
5 - Crucial
3:13 Do you have efficient financial controls?
---
Yes
No
Please rate how important this area is to your overall business outlook.
0 - N/A
1 - Not Important
2 - Somewhat Important
3 - Important
4 - Very Important
5 - Crucial
3:14 Do you have a tax efficient business structure in place?
---
Yes
No
Please rate how important this area is to your overall business outlook.
0 - N/A
1 - Not Important
2 - Somewhat Important
3 - Important
4 - Very Important
5 - Crucial
4 OF 7: OWNERSHIP TRANSFERS TO THIRD PARTIES
Choose an Answer
Rate Importance
4:1 Have you been approached by a third party to sell your business?
---
Yes
No
Please rate how important this area is to your overall business outlook.
0 - N/A
1 - Not Important
2 - Somewhat Important
3 - Important
4 - Very Important
5 - Crucial
4:2 In your best estimation, is your industry experiencing consolidation from large competitors?
---
Yes
No
Please rate how important this area is to your overall business outlook.
0 - N/A
1 - Not Important
2 - Somewhat Important
3 - Important
4 - Very Important
5 - Crucial
4:3 If you sold your business today, could you get all the money you want?
---
Yes
No
Please rate how important this area is to your overall business outlook.
0 - N/A
1 - Not Important
2 - Somewhat Important
3 - Important
4 - Very Important
5 - Crucial
4:4 Have you prepared your company for sale by completing a pre-sale due diligence?
---
Yes
No
Please rate how important this area is to your overall business outlook.
0 - N/A
1 - Not Important
2 - Somewhat Important
3 - Important
4 - Very Important
5 - Crucial
4:5 Have you reduced the company's debt in preparation for the sale?
---
Yes
No
Please rate how important this area is to your overall business outlook.
0 - N/A
1 - Not Important
2 - Somewhat Important
3 - Important
4 - Very Important
5 - Crucial
4:6 Have you conducted any pre-sale tax planning?
---
Yes
No
Please rate how important this area is to your overall business outlook.
0 - N/A
1 - Not Important
2 - Somewhat Important
3 - Important
4 - Very Important
5 - Crucial
4:7 Have you identified a list of potential buyers that would be suitable for your company?
---
Yes
No
Please rate how important this area is to your overall business outlook.
0 - N/A
1 - Not Important
2 - Somewhat Important
3 - Important
4 - Very Important
5 - Crucial
4:8 Do you have a sale bonus plan in place for your key employees?
---
Yes
No
Please rate how important this area is to your overall business outlook.
0 - N/A
1 - Not Important
2 - Somewhat Important
3 - Important
4 - Very Important
5 - Crucial
4:9 Have you conducted any pre-sale real-estate planning?
---
Yes
No
Please rate how important this area is to your overall business outlook.
0 - N/A
1 - Not Important
2 - Somewhat Important
3 - Important
4 - Very Important
5 - Crucial
5 OF 7: OWNERSHIP TRANSFERS TO INSIDERS
Choose an Answer
Rate Importance
5:1 Do you know how to transfer your business to insiders (family, employees, or co-owners) while paying the least possible taxes and enjoying maximum financial security?
---
Yes
No
Please rate how important this area is to your overall business outlook.
0 - N/A
1 - Not Important
2 - Somewhat Important
3 - Important
4 - Very Important
5 - Crucial
5:2 Do you have family members active in the business?
---
Yes
No
Please rate how important this area is to your overall business outlook.
0 - N/A
1 - Not Important
2 - Somewhat Important
3 - Important
4 - Very Important
5 - Crucial
5:3 If they had money, would you sell your business to insiders?
---
Yes
No
Please rate how important this area is to your overall business outlook.
0 - N/A
1 - Not Important
2 - Somewhat Important
3 - Important
4 - Very Important
5 - Crucial
5:4 Is your company free of any family succession issues?
---
Yes
No
Please rate how important this area is to your overall business outlook.
0 - N/A
1 - Not Important
2 - Somewhat Important
3 - Important
4 - Very Important
5 - Crucial
5:5 Do you have an ownership skills development plan in place for your desired successor?
---
Yes
No
Please rate how important this area is to your overall business outlook.
0 - N/A
1 - Not Important
2 - Somewhat Important
3 - Important
4 - Very Important
5 - Crucial
5:6 Have you planned on any financing arrangements including bank loans, cash or carry-back notes?
---
Yes
No
Please rate how important this area is to your overall business outlook.
0 - N/A
1 - Not Important
2 - Somewhat Important
3 - Important
4 - Very Important
5 - Crucial
5:7 Are you planning on using a bonus or gift of ownership interest transition technique?
---
Yes
No
Please rate how important this area is to your overall business outlook.
0 - N/A
1 - Not Important
2 - Somewhat Important
3 - Important
4 - Very Important
5 - Crucial
5:8 Have you thought about using a Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan for the new owners?
---
Yes
No
Please rate how important this area is to your overall business outlook.
0 - N/A
1 - Not Important
2 - Somewhat Important
3 - Important
4 - Very Important
5 - Crucial
5:9 Have you thought about implementing a Grantor Retained Annuity Trust (GRAT)?
---
Yes
No
Please rate how important this area is to your overall business outlook.
0 - N/A
1 - Not Important
2 - Somewhat Important
3 - Important
4 - Very Important
5 - Crucial
5:10 Have you thought about implementing a buy-back agreement for minority owners?
---
Yes
No
Please rate how important this area is to your overall business outlook.
0 - N/A
1 - Not Important
2 - Somewhat Important
3 - Important
4 - Very Important
5 - Crucial
6 OF 7: BUSINESS CONTINUITY
Choose an Answer
Rate Importance
6:1 Do you have a plan for your business if the unexpected happens to you?
---
Yes
No
Please rate how important this area is to your overall business outlook.
0 - N/A
1 - Not Important
2 - Somewhat Important
3 - Important
4 - Very Important
5 - Crucial
6:2 Have you identified who can operate the business in your absence?
---
Yes
No
Please rate how important this area is to your overall business outlook.
0 - N/A
1 - Not Important
2 - Somewhat Important
3 - Important
4 - Very Important
5 - Crucial
6:3 Have you identified who can control the financials in your absence?
---
Yes
No
Please rate how important this area is to your overall business outlook.
0 - N/A
1 - Not Important
2 - Somewhat Important
3 - Important
4 - Very Important
5 - Crucial
6:4 Have you communicated a written business continuity plan to senior management?
---
Yes
No
Please rate how important this area is to your overall business outlook.
0 - N/A
1 - Not Important
2 - Somewhat Important
3 - Important
4 - Very Important
5 - Crucial
6:5 Do you have business continuity insurance in place?
---
Yes
No
Please rate how important this area is to your overall business outlook.
0 - N/A
1 - Not Important
2 - Somewhat Important
3 - Important
4 - Very Important
5 - Crucial
6:6 Do you have a stay bonus plan to keep key employees during the transition?
---
Yes
No
Please rate how important this area is to your overall business outlook.
0 - N/A
1 - Not Important
2 - Somewhat Important
3 - Important
4 - Very Important
5 - Crucial
6:7 Do you have a current buy-sell agreement in place?
---
Yes
No
Please rate how important this area is to your overall business outlook.
0 - N/A
1 - Not Important
2 - Somewhat Important
3 - Important
4 - Very Important
5 - Crucial
6:8 Have you established a salary continuation plan?
---
Yes
No
Please rate how important this area is to your overall business outlook.
0 - N/A
1 - Not Important
2 - Somewhat Important
3 - Important
4 - Very Important
5 - Crucial
6:9 Do you have plans for retaining key employees after you are no longer able to run your business (i.e. death, disability, etc.)?
---
Yes
No
Please rate how important this area is to your overall business outlook.
0 - N/A
1 - Not Important
2 - Somewhat Important
3 - Important
4 - Very Important
5 - Crucial
6:10 Do you have a plan for establishing financial independence of your company?
---
Yes
No
Please rate how important this area is to your overall business outlook.
0 - N/A
1 - Not Important
2 - Somewhat Important
3 - Important
4 - Very Important
5 - Crucial
7 OF 7: PERSONAL WEALTH AND ESTATE PLANNING
Choose an Answer
Rate Importance
7:1 Have you taken any steps to protect your family's wealth?
---
Yes
No
Please rate how important this area is to your overall business outlook.
0 - N/A
1 - Not Important
2 - Somewhat Important
3 - Important
4 - Very Important
5 - Crucial
7:2 Have you thought about how your Exit Plan will affect your Estate Plan?
---
Yes
No
Please rate how important this area is to your overall business outlook.
0 - N/A
1 - Not Important
2 - Somewhat Important
3 - Important
4 - Very Important
5 - Crucial
7:3 Have you done any planning to ensure that your family receives full value of the company if you don't survive?
---
Yes
No
Please rate how important this area is to your overall business outlook.
0 - N/A
1 - Not Important
2 - Somewhat Important
3 - Important
4 - Very Important
5 - Crucial
7:4 Have you developed estate planning documentation that outlines your overall personal, financial and Exit Plan objectives?
---
Yes
No
Please rate how important this area is to your overall business outlook.
0 - N/A
1 - Not Important
2 - Somewhat Important
3 - Important
4 - Very Important
5 - Crucial
7:5 Do you have a plan to protect your personal assets?
---
Yes
No
Please rate how important this area is to your overall business outlook.
0 - N/A
1 - Not Important
2 - Somewhat Important
3 - Important
4 - Very Important
5 - Crucial
7:6 Do you have personal and family insurance in place?
---
Yes
No
Please rate how important this area is to your overall business outlook.
0 - N/A
1 - Not Important
2 - Somewhat Important
3 - Important
4 - Very Important
5 - Crucial
7:7 Do you have a plan in place to transfer specific non-business assets?
---
Yes
No
Please rate how important this area is to your overall business outlook.
0 - N/A
1 - Not Important
2 - Somewhat Important
3 - Important
4 - Very Important
5 - Crucial
7:8 Do you have a personal wealth management plan in place?
---
Yes
No
Please rate how important this area is to your overall business outlook.
0 - N/A
1 - Not Important
2 - Somewhat Important
3 - Important
4 - Very Important
5 - Crucial
7:9 Do you have a plan in place to allocate business cash flow after your death?
---
Yes
No
Please rate how important this area is to your overall business outlook.
0 - N/A
1 - Not Important
2 - Somewhat Important
3 - Important
4 - Very Important
5 - Crucial
7:10 Do you have a plan in place to transfer your business real estate after your death?
---
Yes
No
Please rate how important this area is to your overall business outlook.
0 - N/A
1 - Not Important
2 - Somewhat Important
3 - Important
4 - Very Important
5 - Crucial