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Business Succession Planning

Your Business. Your Legacy.
Plan the Succession Right.

Family business succession and business transition advisory for owners who want to protect what they built — and make sure the next chapter is as strong as this one.

✅ Nationwide Succession Advisory
✅ Family Business Specialists
✅ Houston · NY · LA · Miami · Chicago
✅ Tax-Efficient Transition Planning

Most Business Owners Wait Too Long to Plan Their Succession

Without a succession plan, your business faces unnecessary risk at the moment it matters most. Michelet Financial builds succession strategies that protect your legacy and your family.

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Family Business Succession

Transferring a family business to the next generation requires careful planning around ownership structure, management transition, and tax-efficient gifting strategies. We design succession plans that work for the whole family.

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Business Valuation for Succession

You can’t plan a succession without knowing what the business is worth. We provide an independent business valuation that informs your gifting strategy, buy-sell agreements, and eventual transfer price.

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Buy-Sell Agreement Design

A properly structured buy-sell agreement protects all parties when ownership changes — whether through retirement, death, disability, or voluntary departure. We design and advise on buy-sell structures that hold up.

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Management Succession

Who runs the business after you? We help owners identify, develop, and transition to key management successors — whether internal or external — to preserve business continuity and value.

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Tax-Efficient Business Transfer

Family limited partnerships, grantor retained annuity trusts, installment sales, and gifting strategies — we use every available tool to minimize estate and gift taxes on your business transfer.

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Exit & Retirement Planning

Succession is the beginning of your next chapter. We integrate your business exit with your personal retirement plan — income needs, investment of proceeds, and long-term wealth management.

Three Paths to a Successful Business Transition

Every business succession is different. The right path depends on your family situation, business health, and financial goals. Michelet Financial advises on all three.

Family Succession

Transfer ownership to a family member using gifting strategies, valuation discounts, and tax-efficient structures. Best when a qualified family successor is ready and willing to lead the business.

Management Buyout (MBO)

Key employees or management team purchase the business — often using seller financing or SBA loans. Preserves business culture while rewarding the team that built it with you.

Third-Party Sale

Sell to a strategic buyer, private equity firm, or individual acquirer at market value. Generates the highest immediate return and provides a clean break for the departing owner.

Business Succession Planning Across the Five Major U.S. Markets

Michelet Financial provides family business succession and business transition advisory nationwide, with a focus on the five largest business markets in the United States.

🏫 Houston, TX

Business succession planning for Houston’s family-owned businesses — energy services, construction, healthcare, distribution, and professional services.

🈗 New York, NY

Family business succession and management buyout advisory for New York businesses — professional services, B2B, and closely held corporations.

🌞 Los Angeles, CA

Business transition planning for Los Angeles family businesses in entertainment services, real estate services, consumer products, and distribution.

🌴 Miami, FL

Miami family business succession advisory — hospitality, logistics, import/export, real estate services, and multi-generational family businesses.

🏠 Chicago, IL

Chicago business succession planning — manufacturing, professional services, distribution, and mid-market family-owned companies.

Business Succession Planning — Your Questions Answered

When should I start planning my business succession?
Business succession planning should ideally begin 3 to 7 years before the owner intends to exit. The earlier you start, the more options you have — and the more time you have to groom successors, reduce owner dependency, and build a business that runs without you. Call (225) 396-5511 to start the planning process.
What is the difference between family business succession and selling to an outsider?
Family succession transfers the business to a family member, often using gifting strategies, family limited partnerships, or installment sales to minimize estate and gift taxes. A third-party sale typically generates the highest immediate cash value but involves more complexity. Michelet Financial helps you evaluate both options and choose the one that fits your goals.
How does business succession planning affect my taxes?
The succession structure you choose has major tax implications. Family transfers can leverage annual gift tax exclusions, valuation discounts (minority interest, lack of marketability), and grantor trust strategies. We model all scenarios so you understand the after-tax impact on your estate and the next generation before making any decisions.
What is a buy-sell agreement and do I need one?
A buy-sell agreement is a legally binding contract between business owners that specifies what happens to an owner’s interest in the event of death, disability, retirement, or voluntary departure. If you have business partners, a buy-sell agreement is essential. Michelet Financial advises on structure — cross-purchase vs. entity purchase, funding mechanisms, and valuation methods.
Do you advise on business succession planning in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, and Chicago?
Yes. Michelet Financial provides business succession planning nationwide — Houston, New York, Los Angeles, Miami, and Chicago. We work with family businesses and closely held companies across all major U.S. markets, delivering full advisory depth remotely. Call (225) 396-5511.

Start Your Business Succession Plan Today.

Free consultation. We’ll map out your options and the timeline that protects your business and your family.

Call (225) 396-5511