They’re Selling the Family Company: Now What?

Abstract

For an ultra-wealthy family, one of the most challenging events in the family history will be the day the family business is sold. At that point the family ceases to be the owner of a productive enterprise—the one that made them wealthy—and becomes the owner of a large chunk of liquid capital. Family members likely identified with the family business and its products or services, and they were proud to be part of that company. But how can anyone identify with liquid capital? This chapter assumes that the family has decided to sell its company and walks through the steps the family will—ideally under your guidance—take in order to be ready for the liquidity event and to make the successful transition from company owner to capital owner.