Short, real-world insights for Financial Advisors and Insurance Professionals.

Recently, an experienced producer was working with a small business owner who had a Buy-Sell Agreement in place with a partner.

During the fact-finding process, it came up that the agreement hadn’t been reviewed in over five years.

That’s where things usually get interesting.

When the case came in, I suggested bringing in a Case Consultant from Guardian Business Resource Center to take a closer look.

Two major issues surfaced:

1. Incorrect policy structure
The life insurance policies were not aligned properly, creating potential tax consequences. One policy even listed the spouse as beneficiary, triggering a classic Goodman’s Rule issue.

2. Outdated business valuation
The business had grown significantly, but the agreement hadn’t kept up. The coverage in place no longer matched the actual value.

With a few targeted questions and the right resources, the gaps became clear.

The result:

• Buy-Sell plan updated 

• Coverage adjusted to reflect current value 

• Beneficiary structure corrected 

The client walked away with a stronger plan.
The advisor strengthened the relationship and uncovered additional opportunity.

Not every advisor has access to advanced planning support. That’s where we step in.

Through the Guardian Wealth Advance Markets, support includes:

• Wills and Trust review 

• Buy-Sell strategy design and review 

• Business valuations 

• Executive benefits 

• Succession and estate planning 

• Advanced case design 

If more complex cases are coming up and there’s a need for a second set of eyes, let’s connect.

More insights coming soon in Milo Minutes.

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