--- title: "Family Business Succession Planning: 7 Common Challenges" description: Discover the key challenges and essential steps for successful succession planning in family businesses to ensure your business thrives for generations to come. image: https://blog.cmp.cpa/hubfs/7%20Common%20Challenges%20in%20Passing%20on%20Your%20Family%20Business%20-%201.jpg --- - [Contact Us](https://cmp.cpa/contact-us/) - [Bill Pay](https://cmp.cpa/my-account/) - [File Drop-Off](https://app2.gettruss.io/firm_drop_offs/new?auth_token=MTQyNyZ6OW1HeHh4NWhRbXNIRDF6RmU3OVZXRGJRUkV2aU5ZSGN0OXprNUtH&firm_user_id=3261) - [Client Portal](https://app2.gettruss.io/client_portals/sign_in?client_portal_name=CMP-CPA) [![CMP](https://blog.cmp.cpa/hubfs/Cookmartin-Dec2015/CMP-Logo.png "Cook Martin Poulson, P.C.")](https://cmp.cpa/) - [Home](https://cmp.cpa/) - [About](https://cmp.cpa/company/) - [Meet the Team](https://cmp.cpa/company/meet-the-team/) - [Community](https://cmp.cpa/company/community/) - [CMP Celebrates 40-Years In Business](https://cmp.cpa/company/news/) - [Careers](https://cmp.cpa/company/careers/) - [Reviews & Testimonials](https://cmp.cpa/reviews/) - [Services](https://cmp.cpa/services/) - [Tax Preparation](https://cmp.cpa/services/income-tax-services/) - [Tax Planning](https://cmp.cpa/services/tax-planning/) - [Financial Audits & Reviews](https://cmp.cpa/services/financial-statements-audits-and-reviews/) - [Business Valuation](https://cmp.cpa/services/business-valuations/) - [Estate and Succession Planning](https://cmp.cpa/services/estate-succession-planning/) - [ERISA / 401K Audits](https://cmp.cpa/services/erisa-audits/) - [Crypto Tax Accountant](https://cmp.cpa/services/crypto-tax/) - [Federal R&D Tax Credit](https://cmp.cpa/services/rd-tax-credit-services/) - [Utah R&D Tax Credit](https://cmp.cpa/services/utah-rd-tax-credit-services/) - [Bookkeeping and Payroll](https://cmp.cpa/services/bookkeeping-and-payroll-services/) - [Accounting Software Solutions & Consulting](https://cmp.cpa/services/accounting-software-solutions/) - [Retirement Plan Services and TPA](https://cmp.cpa/services/retirement-plan-tpa-services/) - [Cost Segregation Studies](https://cmp.cpa/services/cost-segregation/) - [Outsourced CFO](https://cmp.cpa/services/cfo-outsourced-solutions/) - [Industries](https://cmp.cpa/industries/) - [Farm and Ranch](https://cmp.cpa/industries/farm-ranch-accountant-service/) - [Real Estate and Construction](https://cmp.cpa/industries/real-estate-construction/) - [Retail and Wholesale](https://cmp.cpa/industries/wholesale-and-retail-accounting-services/) - [Nonprofit](https://cmp.cpa/industries/non-profits/) - [Manufacturing](https://cmp.cpa/industries/manufacturing/) - [Healthcare](https://cmp.cpa/industries/healthcare/) - [Technology](https://cmp.cpa/industries/software-technology/) - [Internet Marketing/YouTube](https://cmp.cpa/industries/internet-marketing-youtube/) - [Resources](https://cmp.cpa/resources/) - [Videos](https://cmp.cpa/videos/) - [Tools](https://cmp.cpa/resources/#tools) - [Important Documents](https://cmp.cpa/resources/#import-doc) - [Important Links](https://cmp.cpa/resources/#import-link) - [FAQ](https://cmp.cpa/resources/faqs/) - [Problems We Solve](https://cmp.cpa/problems-we-solve/) - [Blog](https://blog.cmp.cpa/)   Wasatch Front  [801-467-4450](tel:8014674450) |  Cache Valley [435-750-5566](tel:4357505566)[tel:8017428119](tel:8017428119) | Southern Utah  [435-269-4540](tel:4352694540) ![Salt-Lake-City-Utah.jpg](https://blog.cmp.cpa/hs-fs/hubfs/Cookmartin-Dec2015/Salt-Lake-City-Utah.jpg?width=1106&name=Salt-Lake-City-Utah.jpg "Salt-Lake-City-Utah.jpg") # 7 Common Challenges in Passing on Your Family Business Published July 09, 2015 By [Richard K. Poulson](https://blog.cmp.cpa/author/richard-k-poulson) Recently I met with one of my clients who has been struggling with passing their business to the next generation. Every family business faces similar challenges when they attempt to “pass the torch” to the next generation. The technical term for passing the torch is [“Succession Planning](https://cmp.cpa/services/estate-succession-planning/).” In this post, we will discuss some of the family business succession issues that you should be aware of. ![7 Common Challenges in Passing on Your Family Business](https://blog.cmp.cpa/hs-fs/hubfs/7%20Common%20Challenges%20in%20Passing%20on%20Your%20Family%20Business.jpg?width=800&height=400&name=7%20Common%20Challenges%20in%20Passing%20on%20Your%20Family%20Business.jpg) In the March 2011 issue of Trust and Estates Magazine, an article written by David Thane Leibell entitled *Succession Planning* provided some interesting statistics. - Approximately 90 percent of U.S. businesses are family-owned - There are more than 17 million family businesses in the U.S., representing 64% of the GDP - Thirty-five percent of the business that makes up the S&P 500 are family-controlled - 30% of family businesses survive into the second generation, though 80% would like to keep the business in the family - 12% of family businesses survive to the third generation - 3% of family businesses survive to the fourth generation Over the years, as I have assisted clients with this transition, I have made the following list of the challenges most businesses encounter: 1. Business founders have no clear goals for business succession 2. Founders wait too long to start the succession process 3. Founders believe that younger family members are not capable of taking over the business 4. Founders are unsure of how to start the succession process 5. Founders’ advisors have no experience in assisting with the succession process 6. Founders concentrate on business issues and ignore family governance 7. Family relationships are difficult to manage If your business is in Utah, and you employ minors in your company, you'll want to read our blog post: [Utah Child Labor Laws: What You Need To Know](https://blog.cmp.cpa/utah-child-labor-laws). In this post, we discuss how much, as well as times that minors can work, as well as some of the advantages of hiring minors in Utah. The process of succession planning is much more successful if the founder or family leader has an idea of what their business, personal, and family goals are. I often ask my clients, “*do you have a one, three, and five-year plan personally and for your business?*” Most clients do not have a plan, so I ask them to imagine what their perfect situation would be with work, family, and finances, then list out what their life would look like if everything went exactly how they dreamed it would. Once someone knows what they want, a strategic plan can be developed to achieve their ideal situation. Succession planning typically includes the following elements: - Objectives and goals defined for the business and the family - Strategic planning for the business - Business culture development - Business governance and organizational hierarchy development - Business leader development and training - Family strategic planning - Family vision, mission, and values developed or designed - Family charters or constitutions for family governance - Requirements for family member employees - Addressing the need for and retention of key non-family member employees To assist families in getting started on the succession planning process, CMP has developed a *[Succession Scoresheet](https://info.cmp.cpa/succession-planning-scoresheet).* Please download this free tool below or contact the professionals at [CMP](https://cmp.cpa) to schedule a consultation for your family-run business. The sooner the succession planning process is started, the more likely your family business will survive to the next generation. If you want to read more about this topic, including passing down a family business, read our post entitled: [*Succession Planning for a Family Business: Should You Sell or Pass Down the Family Business?*](https://blog.cmp.cpa/succession-planning-family-business) For the tax side of a transition, see [How Can Succession Planning Minimize Taxes?](https://blog.cmp.cpa/how-can-succession-planning-minimize-taxes) *[![sucession scoresheet](https://hubspot-no-cache-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/1853761/04bd5ff0-a8ae-442b-91b4-29f400102a8e.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/1853761/04bd5ff0-a8ae-442b-91b4-29f400102a8e)* *This content is for educational purposes only and may not apply to your specific tax situation. Tax laws are complex, subject to change, and depend on individual circumstances. Consult a qualified tax advisor before relying on this information.* [![Richard K. Poulson](https://blog.cmp.cpa/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog_Author/richard-poulson.jpg?width=160&height=190&name=richard-poulson.jpg)](https://cmp.cpa/team/richard-k-poulson/) About Richard K. Poulson Rich is the kind of man everyone likes to have around. He is totally committed to whatever he is doing, whether it is working on a client’s estate plan, business valuations, or vacationing with his family. His goal is to help you add value to your business. You can feel comfortable with the outcome of any project if Rich is involved. You know he will be honest, give the project the time it deserves, and you’ll always get the best he has to offer. [Read Full Bio](https://cmp.cpa/team/richard-k-poulson/) RECENT BLOG POSTS - [How Are Stock Options Taxed? 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