Business Succession and Exit Planning for Owners

 Preparing for the Next Chapter of Ownership

For many entrepreneurs, a business is more than a career—it’s their largest financial asset and a reflection of years of work. Transitioning out of that role, whether through a sale or passing it to family, requires careful financial planning. At Crane Capital Management, we help business owners plan their business succession with an approach that integrates retirement goals, tax considerations, and family legacy priorities.

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A Coordinated Process From Goals to Proceeds

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Defining Your Exit Goals

We begin by clarifying objectives: when you’d like to exit, what financial security you need post-sale, and whether your priority is legacy, retirement, or a new venture.

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Understanding Business Value

We coordinate with valuation experts to understand what your business may be worth and help identify ways to strengthen its value before a sale or transfer.

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Working With Your Professional Team

We collaborate with your CPA, attorney, and broker to align the financial plan with legal and tax strategies, keeping your personal goals front and center.

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Investing the Proceeds

Once the transition happens, we help convert liquidity into a steady plan for retirement income, philanthropy, or future business opportunities.

Planning for More Than Just the Sale Price

A business transition can trigger significant tax consequences. We work with your CPA to consider strategies such as spreading sale income over multiple years, utilizing installment sales, or planning gifts of ownership interests to reduce estate or gift tax exposure. For family succession, we integrate estate planning to ensure inheritances are distributed fairly when some heirs are involved in the business and others are not. This coordination helps balance tax efficiency with legacy planning goals.

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Business Exit FAQs

  • When should I start planning my exit?

    Ideally, 3–5 years before you intend to sell or step away. This allows time to increase value and align your personal financial plan.

  • Will selling my business fund my retirement?

    We run projections that compare your retirement needs with estimated sale proceeds after taxes. If there’s a gap, we discuss strategies to close it.

  • What about employees and clients after the sale?

    While we don’t manage operations, we guide owners on planning transitions that account for obligations to staff and clients, ensuring continuity where possible.

  • How do I handle passing my business to children?

    We coordinate with estate attorneys to structure inheritances fairly, balancing business interests with other family assets.

Your Next Chapter Starts With a Plan

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