Louisiana residents who are thinking about selling a family business have many transition options to explore. While all of them come with certain challenges, each also has its benefits. It’s also important to note that timing should be considered. If a person is thinking about selling their business in one to three years, now is the time to start the process.

Not long ago, family business owners often assumed that their next generation would take over operations. However, businesses that are known by a family name and then passed from one generation down to another are becoming rare. This has created unexpected challenges for individuals who would like to retire. Something that is becoming more popular nowadays is to sell a family business and then use the funds to help children start their own businesses. As opposed to passing on an actual business, the idea of entrepreneurship is passed on.

It can be a difficult and challenging task to successfully transition a business. The last thing a business owner will want to do is rush the situation. They need to understand what options they have and then determine the right one for their circumstances.

One option could be a third party sale, which would mean selling the company to a strategic buyer, perhaps a competitor. Another option is an internal transition. This means working with an individual who is already with the company and helping them to eventually assume ownership. This may be a lengthy process, but it could be beneficial for both employees and customers. There are also external transitions, which would involve finding someone from the outside to eventually assume ownership.

Selling a business is not something that should be left to the last second. Most of the time, it takes at least a year more to make the transition. An attorney could answer questions about buying or selling a business and help a client get the process started.