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  • Trust

    Trust

    • Acknowledgement of Trust (already own asset) - $165
    • Change Appointor and/or Guardian of Family Trust - $110
    • Change of Name of Family Trust - $88
    • Change Trustee of Family Trust - $110
    • Dealing with Forgiven Debts (White Paper) - $55
    • Debt Recognition (including pre-Div 7A Loans) - $33
    • Declaration of Trust (before you buy) - $99
    • Div 7A Loan Agreement - $65
    • Div 7A Loan Agreement for UPE - $55
    • Family Trust - $165
    • Family Trust - Streaming & Bamford Update - $165
    • Family Trust - Update to Allow Change of Appointor and Guardian - $165
    • Family Trust - Update to allow Sole Trustee - $55
    • Family Trust - Update to Exclude Foreign Persons (NSW) - $198
    • Family Trust - Vesting - $259
    • Forgiveness of Debt - $121
    • Opening Minutes for the Unit Trust - $33
    • Partnership Deed - $220
    • Release of Unpaid Trust Entitlement - $121
    • The new small business restructure roll-over rules in practice (White Paper) - $55
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2008/09 - $99
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2009/10 - $99
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2010/11 - $99
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2011/12 - $99
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2012/13 - Multi-Use - $350
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2012/13 - Single-Use - $110
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2013/14 - Multi-Use - $350
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2013/14 - Single-Use - $110
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2014/15 - Multi-Use - $350
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2014/15 - Single-Use - $110
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2015/16 - Multi-Use - $350
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2015/16 - Single-Use - $110
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2016/17 - Multi-Use - $350
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2016/17 - Single-Use - $110
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2017/18 - Multi-Use - $350
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2017/18 - Single-Use - $110
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2018/19 - Multi-Use - $350
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2018/19 - Single-Use - $110
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2019/20 - Multi-Use - $350
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2019/20 - Single-Use - $121
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2020/21 - Multi-Use - $350
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2020/21 - Single-Use - $121
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2021/22 - Multi-Use - $350
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2021/22 - Single-Use - $121
    • Unit Trust - $149
    • Unit Trust - Add New Member Kit - $110
  • Superannuation

    Superannuation

    • Acknowledgement of Trust (already own asset) - $165
    • Commercial Lease - $250
    • Declaration of Trust (before you buy) - $99
    • Derivative Risk Statement for SMSF - $65
    • Investment Strategy for Self Managed Super 15/16 - $65
    • Investment Strategy for Self Managed Super 16/17 - $65
    • Investment Strategy for Self Managed Super 17/18 - $65
    • Investment Strategy for Self Managed Super 18/19 - $65
    • Investment Strategy for Self Managed Super 19/20 - $65
    • Investment Strategy for Self Managed Super 20/21 - $65
    • Investment Strategy for Self Managed Super 21/22 - $65
    • Pension Pack for Self Managed Super - $299
    • Product Disclosure Statement (general) - $66
    • Product Disclosure Statement (Pension only) - $99
    • Self Managed Superannuation Fund Deed - $149
    • SMSF - Minute to Appoint Administrator - $33
    • SMSF - Minute to Appoint an Auditor - $33
    • SMSF - Minute to Approve Financial Statements - $33
    • SMSF - Minute to Approve Financial Statements 07/08 - $33
    • SMSF - Minute to Approve Financial Statements 08/09 - $33
    • SMSF - Minute to Approve Financial Statements 09/10 - $33
    • SMSF - Minute to Insure The Members - $33
    • SMSF - Update Rules - $165
    • SMSF Limited Recourse Borrowing Arrangement - $220
    • SMSF Restricted Commercial Property Assessment - $695
    • SMSF Restricted Residential Property Assessment - $315
    • Statutory Declaration - $0
  • Estate Planning

    Estate Planning

    • Buy Sell Agreement Company - $197
    • Codicil to change the Executor - $99
    • Confidentiality Agreement (Non Disclosure) - $99
    • Debt Recognition (including pre-Div 7A Loans) - $33
    • Enduring Power of Attorney - NSW - $55
    • Enduring Power of Attorney - SA - $55
    • Enduring Power of Attorney - WA - $55
    • Enduring Power of Attorney (Financial, Personal/Health) - QLD - $55
    • Enduring Power of Guardianship - NSW - $55
    • Enduring Power of Guardianship - WA - $55
    • Power Of Attorney By Company - $99
    • Will - Married or Defacto No Children - $95
    • Will - Married or Defacto with Children - $95
    • Will - Single No Children - $110
    • Will - Single With Children - $110
  • Commercial

    Commercial

    • Advanced Legal Health Check for Businesses - $18
    • Buy a House with Friends Agreement - $110
    • Commercial Lease - $250
    • Confidentiality Agreement (Non Disclosure) - $99
    • Co-Owners Agreement - $110
    • Dealing with Forgiven Debts (White Paper) - $55
    • Debt Recognition (including pre-Div 7A Loans) - $33
    • Debt Recovery Kit - Qld - $44
    • Declaration of Trust (before you buy) - $99
    • Demand and Statement of Claim for Debt - NSW - $88
    • Demand and Summons for Debt - VIC - $88
    • Demand and Summons for Debt - WA - $88
    • Div 7A Loan Agreement - $65
    • Div 7A Loan Agreement for UPE - $55
    • Forgiveness of Debt - $121
    • Loan Agreement (No Security) - $110
    • Release of Unpaid Trust Entitlement - $121
    • Statutory Declaration - $0
    • Terms of Trade (Non ROT) - $132
    • The new small business restructure roll-over rules in practice (White Paper) - $55
  • Employment

    Employment

    • Confidentiality Agreement (Non Disclosure) - $99
    • Employment - Conduct Issues Letter - $33
    • Employment - Employee Expenses Policy - $55
    • Employment - Performance Issues Letter - $33
    • Employment - Request for Medical Information - $33
    • Employment - Termination Letter - $33
    • Employment - Transferring Employee Letter - $33
    • Employment Contract - $99
    • Independent Contractors Agreement - $99
    • Partnership Deed - $220
    • Statutory Declaration - $0
  • Company

    Company

    • Acknowledgement of Trust (already own asset) - $165
    • Adopt Committee Recommendations kit - $33
    • Appoint a Committee kit - $33
    • Appoint an Alternate Director kit - $33
    • Appoint Managing Director & Confer Powers kit - $33
    • Buy a House with Friends Agreement - $110
    • Buy Sell Agreement Company - $197
    • Change Registered Office kit - $33
    • Commercial Lease - $250
    • Company (ELodgement) - $631
    • Company (No Elodgement) - $99
    • Company Constitution Update - $99
    • Confidentiality Agreement (Non Disclosure) - $99
    • Co-Owners Agreement - $110
    • Debt Recognition (including pre-Div 7A Loans) - $33
    • Declaration of Trust (before you buy) - $99
    • Demand and Statement of Claim for Debt - NSW - $88
    • Demand and Summons for Debt - VIC - $88
    • Demand and Summons for Debt - WA - $88
    • Director‘s Indemnity Agreement - Compulsory Insurance - $197
    • Director‘s Indemnity Agreement - No Insurance - $197
    • Directors Conflict of Interest Kit - $44
    • Div 7A Loan Agreement - $65
    • Div 7A Loan Agreement for UPE - $55
    • Employment Contract - $99
    • Family Trust - Vesting - $259
    • Forgiveness of Debt - $121
    • Independent Contractors Agreement - $99
    • Loan Agreement (No Security) - $110
    • Minutes for Members to Inspect Books - $33
    • Minutes for Resigning Director - $33
    • Opening Minutes for the Unit Trust - $33
    • Partnership Deed - $220
    • Power Of Attorney By Company - $99
    • Release of Unpaid Trust Entitlement - $121
    • Remove a Managing Director kit - $33
    • Remove and Replace a Director kit - $44
    • Replace Company Secretary kit - $44
    • Self Managed Superannuation Fund Deed - $149
    • Statutory Declaration - $0
    • Terms of Trade (Non ROT) - $132
    • Transfer of Shares Kit - $0
    • Unit Trust - $149
    • Unit Trust - Add New Member Kit - $110
  • CPD Webinars

    CPD Webinars

    • Webinar On Demand - Fixing Family Trust Deeds - Mistakes made pre and post establishing a Trust - $99
    • Webinar On Demand - How to assist clients with their debt issues - $99
    • Webinar On Demand - Introduction to Family Trusts - the basics - $99
    • Webinar On Demand - Lawyers and Accountants Duties as Executors - $99
    • Webinar On Demand - Testamentary Trusts 101 - $99
    • Webinar On Demand - Three Pillars of an Effective Asset Protection Strategy - $99
    • Webinar On Demand - Trust Distributions and Section 100A - $99
  • All documents

    All documents

    • Acknowledgement of Trust (already own asset) - $165
    • Adopt Committee Recommendations kit - $33
    • Advanced Legal Health Check for Businesses - $18
    • Appoint a Committee kit - $33
    • Appoint an Alternate Director kit - $33
    • Appoint Managing Director & Confer Powers kit - $33
    • Buy a House with Friends Agreement - $110
    • Buy Sell Agreement Company - $197
    • Change Appointor and/or Guardian of Family Trust - $110
    • Change of Name of Family Trust - $88
    • Change Registered Office kit - $33
    • Change Trustee of Family Trust - $110
    • Codicil to change the Executor - $99
    • Commercial Lease - $250
    • Company (ELodgement) - $631
    • Company (No Elodgement) - $99
    • Company Constitution Update - $99
    • Confidentiality Agreement (Non Disclosure) - $99
    • Co-Owners Agreement - $110
    • Dealing with Forgiven Debts (White Paper) - $55
    • Debt Recognition (including pre-Div 7A Loans) - $33
    • Debt Recovery Kit - Qld - $44
    • Declaration of Trust (before you buy) - $99
    • Demand and Statement of Claim for Debt - NSW - $88
    • Demand and Summons for Debt - VIC - $88
    • Demand and Summons for Debt - WA - $88
    • Derivative Risk Statement for SMSF - $65
    • Director‘s Indemnity Agreement - Compulsory Insurance - $197
    • Director‘s Indemnity Agreement - No Insurance - $197
    • Directors Conflict of Interest Kit - $44
    • Disclaimer - Email - $55
    • Div 7A Loan Agreement - $65
    • Div 7A Loan Agreement for UPE - $55
    • Employment - Conduct Issues Letter - $33
    • Employment - Employee Expenses Policy - $55
    • Employment - Performance Issues Letter - $33
    • Employment - Request for Medical Information - $33
    • Employment - Termination Letter - $33
    • Employment - Transferring Employee Letter - $33
    • Employment Contract - $99
    • Enduring Power of Attorney - NSW - $55
    • Enduring Power of Attorney - SA - $55
    • Enduring Power of Attorney - WA - $55
    • Enduring Power of Attorney (Financial, Personal/Health) - QLD - $55
    • Enduring Power of Guardianship - NSW - $55
    • Enduring Power of Guardianship - WA - $55
    • Family Trust - $165
    • Family Trust - Streaming & Bamford Update - $165
    • Family Trust - Update to Allow Change of Appointor and Guardian - $165
    • Family Trust - Update to allow Sole Trustee - $55
    • Family Trust - Update to Exclude Foreign Persons (NSW) - $198
    • Family Trust - Vesting - $259
    • Forgiveness of Debt - $121
    • Independent Contractors Agreement - $99
    • Investment Strategy for Self Managed Super 15/16 - $65
    • Investment Strategy for Self Managed Super 16/17 - $65
    • Investment Strategy for Self Managed Super 17/18 - $65
    • Investment Strategy for Self Managed Super 18/19 - $65
    • Investment Strategy for Self Managed Super 19/20 - $65
    • Investment Strategy for Self Managed Super 20/21 - $65
    • Investment Strategy for Self Managed Super 21/22 - $65
    • Loan Agreement (No Security) - $110
    • Minutes for Members to Inspect Books - $33
    • Minutes for Resigning Director - $33
    • Opening Minutes for the Unit Trust - $33
    • Partnership Deed - $220
    • Pension Pack for Self Managed Super - $299
    • Power Of Attorney By Company - $99
    • Product Disclosure Statement (general) - $66
    • Product Disclosure Statement (Pension only) - $99
    • Release of Unpaid Trust Entitlement - $121
    • Remove a Managing Director kit - $33
    • Remove and Replace a Director kit - $44
    • Replace Company Secretary kit - $44
    • Self Managed Superannuation Fund Deed - $149
    • SMSF - Minute to Appoint Administrator - $33
    • SMSF - Minute to Appoint an Auditor - $33
    • SMSF - Minute to Approve Financial Statements - $33
    • SMSF - Minute to Approve Financial Statements 07/08 - $33
    • SMSF - Minute to Approve Financial Statements 08/09 - $33
    • SMSF - Minute to Approve Financial Statements 09/10 - $33
    • SMSF - Minute to Insure The Members - $33
    • SMSF - Update Rules - $165
    • SMSF Limited Recourse Borrowing Arrangement - $220
    • SMSF Restricted Commercial Property Assessment - $695
    • SMSF Restricted Residential Property Assessment - $315
    • SMSF Subscription - $99
    • Statutory Declaration - $0
    • Terms of Trade (Non ROT) - $132
    • The new small business restructure roll-over rules in practice (White Paper) - $55
    • Transfer of Shares Kit - $0
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2008/09 - $99
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2009/10 - $99
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2010/11 - $99
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2011/12 - $99
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2012/13 - Multi-Use - $350
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2012/13 - Single-Use - $110
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2013/14 - Multi-Use - $350
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2013/14 - Single-Use - $110
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2014/15 - Multi-Use - $350
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2014/15 - Single-Use - $110
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2015/16 - Multi-Use - $350
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2015/16 - Single-Use - $110
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2016/17 - Multi-Use - $350
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2016/17 - Single-Use - $110
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2017/18 - Multi-Use - $350
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2017/18 - Single-Use - $110
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2018/19 - Multi-Use - $350
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2018/19 - Single-Use - $110
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2019/20 - Multi-Use - $350
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2019/20 - Single-Use - $121
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2020/21 - Multi-Use - $350
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2020/21 - Single-Use - $121
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2021/22 - Multi-Use - $350
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2021/22 - Single-Use - $121
    • Unit Trust - $149
    • Unit Trust - Add New Member Kit - $110
    • Webinar On Demand - Fixing Family Trust Deeds - Mistakes made pre and post establishing a Trust - $99
    • Webinar On Demand - How to assist clients with their debt issues - $99
    • Webinar On Demand - Introduction to Family Trusts - the basics - $99
    • Webinar On Demand - Lawyers and Accountants Duties as Executors - $99
    • Webinar On Demand - Testamentary Trusts 101 - $99
    • Webinar On Demand - Three Pillars of an Effective Asset Protection Strategy - $99
    • Webinar On Demand - Trust Distributions and Section 100A - $99
    • Website Terms And Conditions - $99
    • Will - Married or Defacto No Children - $95
    • Will - Married or Defacto with Children - $95
    • Will - Single No Children - $110
    • Will - Single With Children - $110
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Print Version Back

Why you need a buy sell agreement in your business succession plan

Issue: 449 - Wednesday, 15 January 2014

In this Issue

  1. Why you need a buy sell agreement in your business succession plan

1. Why you need a buy sell agreement in your business succession plan

Refresher: how does a buy sell agreement operate?

Buy sell agreements are often viewed as the ‘will’ of a business, enabling an owner to transfer their interest to the other remaining owners, when certain specified trigger events occur. The most common triggers contemplated in agreements are death, long term or permanent incapacity and trauma. Under the agreement, when one business owner is impacted by such an event, they consent to sell their share of the business, while the remaining owners agree to purchase that outgoing person’s interest.  

Buy sell agreements take precedence over wills that may have been executed by individual owners of the business. Agreements are generally funded by a life insurance policy on the outgoing owner. Buy sell agreements are most suited to small and medium sized businesses and are able to operate within a unit trust, partnership, proprietary companies and hybrid business structures. 

An underutilised instrument

Statistics from 2008 have shown that more than 70% of business owners in Australia have no form of written business succession plan. Even though 38% of business owners know about buy sell agreements, only 9% actually have one place. This is a startling figure, given that they are such an effective means of providing certainty for the future of a business and avoiding disputes.

In the absence of a buy sell agreement, results can be devastating. Often the consequence is that the transfer of outgoing owner’s share occurs at substantial undervalue. This may be due to inability of the remaining owners to purchase at market value, or the vulnerability of the outgoing owner who may be suffering from stress caused by the change in their life circumstances, combined with the tension produced by the business conflict. In the worst case scenario, the business may need to be wound up.

Who benefits from the existence of a buy sell agreement?

All stakeholders within the business can receive some advantage from having a buy sell agreement.

Remaining owners:

For those who remain in the business, the agreement prevents the doubt and worry of not knowing who will take on the outgoing owner’s business share. Given that the insurance policy finances their purchase, they don’t need to dig into their own pockets or borrow to finance the buy-out.

By retaining ownership within the business, it also eliminates the risk of third parties who may not be suited to joining the business from buying in, such as spouses, family members or friends, regardless of what the outgoing owner’s will may stipulate. Instead, the agreement assures viability and stability, by binding the existing co-owners who already have the necessary expertise and knowledge.

Outgoing owner:

A buy sell agreement will guarantee sufficient compensation for disposal of the departing owner’s interest. Additionally, it avoids this person feeling guilty about leaving the business for a reason that is expressed as a trigger event under the agreement, such as deteriorating health, trauma and in some cases, retirement.

Employees:

Employees are also provided with a sense of security about their employment, by this slight change of ownership which is shared amongst existing owners. Alternatively, the agreement could even offer employees an opportunity to acquire a stake in the business.

How should a buy sell agreement be funded? Gold and Platinum members can find out…

Platinum Members, click here to view content

How is the value of the business calculated?

Platinum Members, click here to view content

Buy sell agreements play a key role in business succession planning. They reduce the stress and unnecessary complications involved in replacing fellow business owners, ensuring the best possible outcome for all stakeholders. While there is some expense involved in taking out an insurance policy, the cost of not having an insurance funded buy sell agreement could be much more costly. Law Central has made the first step easy, by allowing you to construct a personalised buy sell agreement using our online Build a Document process.

Click here to start building your own buy sell agreement.


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