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There may be nothing worse for a business than to have its owner suddenly die...especially if it's your business.
Let's look at what can happen to a business when an owner dies.
Todd Carpenter was the 55-year-old sole owner of a successful construction company. Todd hoped to sell his company to a third party in the next 18 months.
What Todd needed was a way to ensure that his company would survive if he died or became disabled during that period. Before he could put any plan into place, Todd was killed in a tragic traffic accident. Soon after his death, key employees left the company for jobs with more certain futures. They feared that the company might not continue without Todd's leadership and personal financial backing.
The employees' departures caused a decrease in revenues, as well as the default of a number of contracts, which exposed the company to significant liabilities. Long-time customers grew uneasy with what they perceived to be a rudderless ship and moved their business to Todd's competitors. Todd's bank grew uneasy as well and decided to call in his company's debt; debt Todd had personally guaranteed.
Within weeks of Todd's death, his key managers were gone, his company defaulted on a number of contracts, revenues plummeted, customers jumped ship and any prospects of securing replacement financing quickly disappeared.
As you can see, business continuity planning is vitally important to your company. Without a well thought out "survival plan," the consequences to employees, customers and, most importantly, your family and estate are dire. (Don't think that your estate will escape the notice of your business creditors.)
Fortunately, there are a number of methods sole owners can implement today to help avoid the type of business collapse that Todd Carpenter's business experienced.
First, to keep key employees on board after your demise, offer ownership; perhaps via a buy-sell agreement, or offer additional compensation if key employees stay on or continue to run the company. The amount of compensation can be tied directly to the company's profitability and continued success. As an additional incentive, offer these employees a substantial bonus (called a "stay bonus") for staying with the company; one that can be funded with insurance that can be accessed in case of your death.
Second, alert your bank to your succession plans. Meet with your banker to discuss the arrangements you have made and show him or her that insurance to affect these plans is in place. Make sure your creditors are comfortable with your succession plan. Ask them what arrangements they would like to see in place.
Third, create a written plan that states:
1) who should take on the responsibility of running the business;
2) whether the business should be sold (and if so, to whom), continued or liquidated; and
3) who your heirs should consult regarding the sale, continuation or liquidation of the company.
Finally, work closely with a capable insurance professional to make certain the necessary insurance products, such as funding for the stay bonus or buy-sell agreement, are purchased by the proper entity, (you, your trust or the business) for the right reason and for the right amount.
Not sure where to begin? Contact your business advisory team - attorney, banker, insurance agent, CPA - for recommendations.
Let's look at what can happen to a business when an owner dies.
Todd Carpenter was the 55-year-old sole owner of a successful construction company. Todd hoped to sell his company to a third party in the next 18 months.
What Todd needed was a way to ensure that his company would survive if he died or became disabled during that period. Before he could put any plan into place, Todd was killed in a tragic traffic accident. Soon after his death, key employees left the company for jobs with more certain futures. They feared that the company might not continue without Todd's leadership and personal financial backing.
The employees' departures caused a decrease in revenues, as well as the default of a number of contracts, which exposed the company to significant liabilities. Long-time customers grew uneasy with what they perceived to be a rudderless ship and moved their business to Todd's competitors. Todd's bank grew uneasy as well and decided to call in his company's debt; debt Todd had personally guaranteed.
Within weeks of Todd's death, his key managers were gone, his company defaulted on a number of contracts, revenues plummeted, customers jumped ship and any prospects of securing replacement financing quickly disappeared.
As you can see, business continuity planning is vitally important to your company. Without a well thought out "survival plan," the consequences to employees, customers and, most importantly, your family and estate are dire. (Don't think that your estate will escape the notice of your business creditors.)
Fortunately, there are a number of methods sole owners can implement today to help avoid the type of business collapse that Todd Carpenter's business experienced.
First, to keep key employees on board after your demise, offer ownership; perhaps via a buy-sell agreement, or offer additional compensation if key employees stay on or continue to run the company. The amount of compensation can be tied directly to the company's profitability and continued success. As an additional incentive, offer these employees a substantial bonus (called a "stay bonus") for staying with the company; one that can be funded with insurance that can be accessed in case of your death.
Second, alert your bank to your succession plans. Meet with your banker to discuss the arrangements you have made and show him or her that insurance to affect these plans is in place. Make sure your creditors are comfortable with your succession plan. Ask them what arrangements they would like to see in place.
Third, create a written plan that states:
1) who should take on the responsibility of running the business;
2) whether the business should be sold (and if so, to whom), continued or liquidated; and
3) who your heirs should consult regarding the sale, continuation or liquidation of the company.
Finally, work closely with a capable insurance professional to make certain the necessary insurance products, such as funding for the stay bonus or buy-sell agreement, are purchased by the proper entity, (you, your trust or the business) for the right reason and for the right amount.
Not sure where to begin? Contact your business advisory team - attorney, banker, insurance agent, CPA - for recommendations.
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