A buy-sell agreement is a critical component of succession planning for many businesses. It sets the terms and conditions under which an owner’s business interest can be sold to another owner (or owners) should an unexpected tragedy or turn of events occur. It also establishes the method for determining the price of the interest.

This may sound standard, and a properly conceived, well-written buy-sell agreement should be — it is, after all, a legal document. However, there is a human side to these arrangements as well, which you should not underestimate.

Turmoil & conflicts

A business owner’s unexpected death or disability can lead to turmoil and potential conflicts between the surviving owners and the deceased or disabled owner’s family members. Such disorder has the potential of disrupting normal business operations and can result in instability for employees, customers, creditors, investors, and other stakeholders.

A buy-sell agreement ensures that an owner’s heirs are fairly compensated for the deceased owner’s business ownership interest based on a predetermined method. The other owners, meanwhile, do not have to worry about the deceased’s spouse (or other family members) becoming unwilling (and unknowledgeable) co-owners. In addition, employees will benefit from less workplace stress and disruption than would otherwise be caused if an owner dies or becomes disabled.

Spousal matters

Indeed, among the worst potential succession-planning scenarios is when a deceased or disabled owner’s spouse becomes an unwilling participant in the business. Without a properly structured buy-sell agreement in place, the spouse could be thrown into this situation — even if he or she knows little about the business and does not want to actively participate in running it.

There also is the less tragic, though still difficult, possibility of divorce. When a business owner and their spouse decide to end their marriage, the ramifications on the business can be enormous. A buy-sell helps clarify everyone’s rights and holdings.

Great benefits

Ownership successions are rarely easy — even under the best of circumstances. These transitions can go much more peacefully with a sound buy-sell agreement in place. Please contact us for help with the tax and financial aspects of a buy-sell agreement.