A business reflects its owner, and a clear plan can keep that concern on the path that was chosen. Lack of a succession plan could morph the business into something different or leave it in the hands of someone who would not reflect the founder’s intent or attitude. 

The type of plan used will depend on whether the business is to be sold or kept until death or retirement. If the business to kept and passed along, use of an outside consultant can eliminate bias in the selection of a successor and that successor could be placed in a similar business to prepare for the future.

If the business is to be sold, there are many options; an outright sale, a buy-sell arrangement for a future date, a family limited partnership, or an annuity arrangement trading your business for a guaranteed lifetime income string.