Business transfer planning starts before a buyer is at the door.
Succession affects business value, the people who will take over, the liquidity required for the transaction and the owner’s personal wealth. The earlier planning begins, the more options remain available.
Clarify the exit scenario
Family succession, a partner, employees, a third-party sale or partial continued ownership each requires a different structure. Start with the owner’s vision and desired timeline.
Prepare value and liquidity
Business value needs to be explainable, financeable and transferable. Liquidity needs can arise from a share buyout, death, shareholder departure or planned transaction.
Align business succession with personal estate planning
A business sale or transfer may represent a major portion of retirement and family wealth. Corporate strategy should connect to retirement income, heirs, insurance and other assets.
Build the professional team early
The Quebec government recommends planning transfers early and working with experts. A succession transaction usually involves valuation, tax, legal, financing and financial-planning disciplines.
See your situation as a whole.
The Protection & Wealth Assessment helps organize the important pieces before a deeper conversation.
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
As early as practical. Even without a fixed sale date, clarifying succession, owner dependency, liquidity needs and family objectives improves readiness.
It can sometimes create liquidity on a shareholder’s death or support certain shareholder-agreement funding needs. The exact structure should be coordinated with legal and tax documents.
No. Tax matters, but succession also involves continuity, value, financing, family, shareholders and the owner’s retirement.
For tax or regulatory details, also consult government sources and validate your situation with the appropriate professionals.
How we work
We first understand your situation before recommending a solution. When tax, legal or accounting questions require specialized advice, we coordinate with the appropriate professionals.