How do you start planning for life after your business?

Begin with a professional valuation and succession assessment to gauge value, identify goals, and map your glidepath toward retirement.

What does a thoughtful, well-timed exit look like?

It protects client trust, preserves your legacy, and matches your lifestyle vision—executed gradually to maintain value and peace of mind.

What support does FP Transitions offer solo advisors planning their exit?

We provide valuation, successor matchmaking, deal structuring, legal guidance, and marketplace data—tailored to your pace and goals.

Why do so many advisors trust FP Transitions?

17,000 valuations and thousands of successful transitions prove our depth in succession, valuation, and legal execution for solo advisors.

Solo Advisor Succession Planning

Q: What’s your business really worth?

Our Comprehensive Valuation Analysis leverages the industry’s largest comparable database to deliver an objective, market-based value.

Q: Which exit strategy aligns with your goals?

Options include an external sale, merger, Sell and Stay® plan, or consolidation with a values-aligned partner—chosen for your timeline and lifestyle.

Q: How can you prepare emotionally and logistically for succession?

Work with specialists to address paperwork, tax strategy, and the personal shift—guiding every step from first thought to final hand-off.

Q: Who will care for your clients like you do?

Our marketplace connects you with vetted, values-aligned successors to ensure seamless client experience and legacy preservation.

Q: What help is available when it's time to finalize the deal?

FP Transitions supplies legal, financial, and strategic guidance—overseeing terms, compliance, and client communication for a smooth close.

Q: How do you begin a confident, pressure-free exit plan?

Start with valuation, explore options with a transition specialist, and progress at your pace with education and step-by-step guidance.

Schedule a Consultation

If you’re a solo financial advisor thinking about retirement, you’re not alone. You’ve spent your life building strong relationships, delivering trusted advice, growing your business, and creating something meaningful. Now it’s time to start thinking—your time, your future, your legacy. At FP Transitions, we’ve helped more than 17,000 advisors navigate with clarity and care. With decades of experience as the wealth management industry’s most trusted succession planning partner, we specialize in helping solo advisors protect what they’ve built and find peace of mind in what comes next.

Questions you may be asking yourself:

"How will I find someone that will care for my clients like I do?"

"What happens to everything I've built once I retire?"

"Am I ready to let go?"

"How much is my business really worth?"

"What will my life look like when I am no longer running the business?"

What you may be feeling:

Protective of your client relationships and reputation

Uncertain about the right next step

Overwhelmed by tax, legal, and deal complexity

Curious about business value and how to maximize it

Eager for freedom, but unsure how to begin

These are the kinds of conversations we’ve helped thousands of advisors navigate. It’s about protecting your life’s work, preserving your clients' trust and designing a future that’s as as fulfilling as the path that got you here. Whether you see yourself traveling, spending time with your grandkids, or tending to a quiet backyard garden, you’ve earned the chance to slow down without letting go too soon or too fast.

Whether you’re just considering your options or ready to take the next step, you’ll find trusted guidance at every stage. At FP Transitions, we specialize in helping solo advisors move forward at their pace, with the right structure, successor, and support, always grounded in what matters most: your relationships, your values, and your vision for the future.

Backed by the largest M&A marketplace in the independent advisor space, FP Transitions brings unmatched data, tools, and expertise to your planning process. Our interdisciplinary team of analysts, legal professionals, and transition consultants will help you navigate each option with purpose and confidence.

What's Your Business
Really Worth?

Start with a professional valuation grounded in real market data, not assumptions. Truly knowing exactly what your business is worth lays the foundation for every decision in your transition plan. Our Comprehensive Valuation Analysis draws from the industry’s largest database of comparable businesses to deliver objective, actionable insight.

Take our Business Valuation Assessment to find the right analysis for your goals.

Reveal Your Value

Which Exit Strategy Aligns with Your Goals?

There’s more than one way to retire. We’ll help you explore the right path, whether it’s a full sale to an outside buyer, a merger with another business, a gradual transition through a Sell and Stay® plan, or consolidation with a values-aligned partner. We’ve pioneered flexible strategies designed for solo advisors, tailored to your goals, timeline, and lifestyle.

Start building your future with a
customized succession plan.

Find Your Path

How Can You Prepare Emotionally and Logistically for Succession?

You don’t have to figure it out alone. We help you prepare emotionally and logistically. From paperwork to peace of mind, we’re here. Every step is guided with care, clarity, and your goals. Our team has supported thousands of advisors through this process and is ready to help you. Wherever you are in your journey, we’ll meet you and move forward with confidence.

Learn more about our seller services to take the next step toward a successful transition.

Let's Map It Out

Who Will Care for Your
Clients Like You Do?

Find a successor who will carry your business forward with care. Tap into the most robust advisor matchmaking platform in the country to connect with values-aligned, vetted professionals. Each match is curated to preserve client relationships and your legacy.

Explore our Open Market opportunities to find the right fit for your goals.

Uncover the Right Fit

What Help Is Available When It's Time to Finalize the Deal?

Get expert legal, financial, and strategic support. Backed by decades of experience and a team facilitating over 100 M&A transactions annually, we guide every step — from deal terms to client communication — so you can focus on what matters most.

Find the transaction support you need
with help from our experts.

View Your Options

What you might be dreaming of:

"I want to really enjoy time with people I love."

“I want to take the trips I’ve always dreamed about.”

"I want to sit on the porch and just be."

"I want to open a business in a completely different industry."

“I want to garden every morning with coffee in hand.”

How Do You Begin a Confident, Pressure-Free Exit Plan?

We know this isn’t easy. You’re not just making a business decision—you’re reshaping your identity. But you don’t have to leap blindly. Whether it’s getting your business professionally valued, exploring the open market, or simply talking to a transition specialist, you’ll have the right guidance at the right time. We’re here to educate, support, and walk alongside you—every step of the way.

Understanding the Value of My Business White Paper

Understanding the Value of Your Business White Paper

Knowing what your business is worth is the foundation of every strategic move. Learn how valuation reveals growth opportunities, supports deal terms, and protects the equity you’ve built — on your terms.

Download

Exit Strategies for
Solo Advisors Blog

Succession planning doesn’t have to rely on a traditional acquisition. Explore strategic, sustainable alternative strategies such as mergers, next generation equity pathways, and a gradual exit through Sell and Stay®.

Read

Plan for Transition
Workbook

Selling your business is more than a transaction, it’s a personal journey. This resource helps you clarify your goals, timeline, and ideal outcomes so you can navigate this next chapter with purpose and confidence.

Download

Nearly a decade ago, we engaged FP Transitions with a clear goal in mind: to accurately value our practice and lay the foundation for the transition of ownership. Their guidance was invaluable. From the beginning, they expertly navigated us through each step, offering wise counsel and ensuring nothing was overlooked. Reflecting on the journey, I cannot think of anything which should have been done differently. The fee paid to FP Transitions was an excellent investment for our firm, not an expense.

James “Skip” Nichols
and Financial Planning Resources
Six years ago, we partnered with FP Transitions to craft a succession blueprint for our company. Today, we're thrilled to be executing our fourth series of transitions to the next wave of owners. The integrated expertise of FP Transitions, encompassing Consulting, Valuation, Analytics, and Legal services, has consistently streamlined the process, ensuring each handover is a success.

Sonia Ernst

Managing Partner, Manager of Trading and Operations, Cabot Wealth Management

Your Questions Answered:
Succession Planning for Solo Advisors

Have questions? You're not alone. Here's what other solo advisors are asking and what we have to say.

How do I value my solo advisory business?

FP Transitions conducts a Comprehensive Valuation Analysis based on more than just revenue multiples. We assess cash flow, client demographics, and operational structure, supported by the industry’s largest comparative database.

How much is my business really worth?

Business value goes beyond top-line revenue. It’s about equity strength — driven by profitability, client retention, and future growth potential. Our valuation methodology reflects what your business is worth to the next generation or to strategic partners.

What is succession planning for solo advisors?

Succession planning creates a glidepath to retirement by gradually transitioning ownership and responsibility while maintaining client continuity and protecting your legacy.

What options do I have for transitioning out of my business?

Options include external sales, internal succession, mergers, and hybrid strategies like Sell and Stay®. Each path offers varying timelines and liquidity structures, and our consultants help align the strategy to your goals.

What is a Sell and Stay® strategy, and is it right for me?

Sell and Stay® lets you sell your business while remaining involved, typically in a reduced or advisory role, enabling continuity for clients and mentoring for successors.

Can I transition out gradually?

Yes. Gradual transitions like Sell and Stay® or phased equity sales allow you to maintain income, mentor your successor, and reduce risk over time while staying actively involved.

What if I don’t have a successor?

FP Transitions offers access to a robust marketplace of pre-vetted, values-aligned candidates to ensure cultural continuity and long-term success, even if you're starting from scratch.

What are the first steps in retirement planning?

Begin with a professional valuation to understand your starting point. Then work with a transition consultant to explore strategies that fit your timeline, financial needs, and personal vision.

How long does the succession process take?

Timelines vary: internal transitions may span several years, while external sales can often be completed in under a year. Starting early offers more flexibility and better financial outcomes.

How does succession planning impact business value?

A well-executed plan increases enterprise value by reducing perceived risk and demonstrating continuity — a major factor for both internal and external buyers.

How can I make sure my clients are taken care of after I retire?

We help ensure continuity by matching you with successors who share your service philosophy and values, prioritizing client experience throughout the transition.

What legal and tax considerations should I be aware of?

Structuring your transition correctly is key to minimizing taxes and ensuring compliance. Our legal and tax experts guide you through strategies that optimize outcomes and reduce risk.

Can I still be involved if I sell my business?

Yes. Many advisors choose to stay on in a reduced capacity through Sell and Stay® or advisory agreements, offering continued engagement while easing into retirement.

What resources are available to help me get started?

Explore our Resource Library of white papers, tools, and workbooks tailored to solo advisors, or schedule a consult to speak directly with a transition expert.

What's Next for Your Business
When You Retire?