Tony Scudder

ATTN BUSINESS BROKERS: Stop Letting Buyers “Window Shop.” Require Commitment Before Due Diligence. When selling a business, I firmly believe due diligence should begin only after a (non-binding, fully negotiable, and cancellable) LOI is signed, and with a refundable good-faith deposit (GFD) in place. The logic is twofold: first, the buyer demonstrates genuine commitment and gains access to the financials without forfeiting flexibility, since the LOI is still non-binding and the deposit refundable. Second, it prevents inefficiency. Allowing multiple parties to conduct due diligence simultaneously leads to wasted CPA and legal fees, and chaos if the business sells out from under them. In short, non-binding LOI + refundable GFD before due diligence, there’s no smoother or more professional way to run a deal.

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Side Deals, Secrets & Shady Exits Financial self-dealing. Trade secrets walking out the door. Insiders making power plays. This clip breaks down some of the most common insider issues businesses face today. Click the bio link to listen to the full episode https://lnkd.in/gVW82FAU #CorporateMisconduct #InsiderIssues #TradeSecrets #BoardroomDrama #BusinessRisk

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BUSINESS OWNERS, AS SELLERS, BE AWARE OF THE “PROPRIETARY DEAL” A “proprietary deal” lets a specific business buyer have a first chance to purchase a company before the company is pitched to other buyers by the owner or their investment bankers. Read more: https://lnkd.in/g5QRQX9W #MergersAndAcquisitions #BusinessValuation #Acquisitions #CanadianBusiness #Entrepreneurship #PrivateEquity #BusinessGrowth #Innovation #Leadership #SmallBusiness

Why Assigning Business Equipment to Your Trust Matters A Smart Move for Arizona Business Owners For many Arizona business owners, the company itself is not the only valuable asset. The equipment that keeps the business running computers, machinery, vehicles, furniture, tools, and specialized technology often represents tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars in value. Yet these assets are commonly overlooked in estate planning. At Kierman Law, we regularly see well run businesses with solid legal entities and insurance in place, but no clear plan for what happens to business equipment if the owner becomes incapacitated or passes away. That gap can create serious disruption. This is where an Assignment of Business Equipment and a properly funded trust become essential. What Is an Assignment of Business Equipment An Assignment of Business Equipment is a legal document that transfers ownership of your business’s tangible assets from you personally into your trust. This includes office equipment, computers, machinery, furniture, vehicles, and other physical property used in operating your business. While it may sound like a small administrative step, it plays a critical role in avoiding probate, maintaining business continuity, and protecting your legacy. Why This Assignment Is So Important Without a valid assignment, business equipment that remains titled in your individual name may be treated as a probate asset. This can delay access to essential equipment and create unnecessary legal costs and stress for your family. When equipment is owned by your trust, your successor trustee can act immediately without court involvement. Why Business Owners Need a Trust Not Just a Will Many business owners assume a will is enough. Unfortunately, a will does not avoid probate. In Arizona, probate can be time consuming, public, and expensive, especially when business assets are involved. A properly structured trust ensures continuity, privacy, control, and no court delays. When business equipment is assigned to your trust, it becomes part of a coordinated plan that works when it is actually needed. A Common and Costly Mistake One of the most common issues we see is a trust that exists on paper but is not fully funded. Business owners go through the effort of creating a trust, yet forget to formally transfer assets like equipment into it. The result is a false sense of security and a plan that does not function as intended. The Bottom Line If you are a business owner, your estate plan should reflect the real world value of what you have built. Assigning business equipment to your trust is a simple but powerful step that helps protect your family, your employees, and your legacy. At Kierman Law, we help Arizona business owners create clear, comprehensive estate plans that work when it matters most. If you are in Arizona, let’s start that conversation today. Call (480) 719-7333.

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Charisma vs. Systems: Build Sustainable Success Let me know your opinions in the comments 👌 For the full video, visit and subscribe to our YouTube channel linked: https://lnkd.in/gsmb_dA9 #WealthMindset #DreamKeepers #MartinWilliams #FinancialFreedom #Bussines

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Learning how to prepare your business for sale in California can make the difference between success and failure. Preparing your business for sale in California involves: 1. Comprehensively reading every facet of your operation—financials, legal structure, daily operations, and a business valuation—well before listing. 2. Presenting your business in the best possible way to potential buyers, highlighting its inherent value while proactively addressing any potential concerns. 3. A deep dive into your tax obligations, refining your organizational structure for clarity and efficiency, and ensuring strict adherence to California’s specific and often complex regulatory environment. 4. Showcasing strengths and mitigating risks to secure a transaction that truly reflects your business’s value. 5. Taking a proactive approach that significantly enhances the likelihood of a seamless transfer and maintains confidentiality. 6. Thinking ahead to position your business to reduce liability exposure and fine-tune outstanding issues, preventing negotiation or due diligence complications. This diligence sets the stage for a balanced, transparent, and successful transition, benefiting both Seller and Buyer. https://lnkd.in/gEQJsXAh

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