Inside-Out SuccessionInside-Out Succession

Estate planning for family business owners is big business for many wealth advisors. Fueling this area of work is a combination of factors, including the historically large (and at least for now increasing) federal estate tax exemptions. Congressional leaders perennially raise the possibility of changing the estate tax regime. This tumultuous political debate about rates and exemptions is wonderful fuel for those ever-present emotions of opportunity and fear, which seem to be the active ingredients in motivating families to consider transferring their wealth, including the family business, to their descendants. 

Unfortunately, this ongoing political debate over taxes has turned the process of family business succession planning inside out...