PLANNING FOR OPTOMETRY PRACTICE OWNERSHIP

Building a Path to Practice Co-Ownership for Ambitious Young Optometrists

Jessica (32) and Christopher (33) are experienced optometrists working in a successful private practice owned by a senior OD nearing retirement. Having consistently saved and invested beyond their retirement accounts, they enjoy a comfortable lifestyle. Their children are still young, but they already aim to create generational wealth and give them opportunities they didn't have.

The Challenge

Jessica and Christopher dream of co-owning the practice where they have built strong patient relationships. This presents a significant financial move that needs to align with other ambitious goals:

  • Structuring the practice buyout for maximum tax benefit and minimal impact on their lifestyle.

  • Exploring alternative wealth-building strategies alongside the significant practice investment.

  • Ensuring their updated estate plan protects both their growing assets and their children's future security.

The Process

Seeking expert advice, they connected with a financial planner experienced in advising optometrists on practice transitions and optimizing wealth. They worked together to:

  • Buyout Valuation & Financing: Assess the practice's fair market value and explore various financing models for their ownership stake.

  • Investment Strategy Realignment: Analyze their existing portfolio, focusing on both short-term accumulation for the down payment and continued long-term growth outside of the practice.

  • Estate Planning Update: Collaborate with an estate attorney to revise their plan, considering their expected increase in business assets.

The Solutions

The financial planner provided a comprehensive approach:

  • Practice Transition Plan: Outlined potential financing structures (gradual buyout, loans, etc.) and the tax implications of each.

  • Optimized Investments: Adjusted their asset allocation to balance short-term liquidity needs with consistent long-term growth for their remaining goals.

  • Robust Estate Planning: Ensured their estate plan effectively protected their children, the practice ownership stake, and other assets in a tax-efficient manner.

The Results

  • Ownership Confidence: Jessica and Christopher have a realistic understanding of the financial commitment and timeline towards their practice co-ownership goal.

  • Strategic Wealth-Building: Their investments remain positioned for maximizing returns while accommodating the upcoming practice purchase.

  • Family Legacy Secured: Their estate plan offers peace of mind knowing their children's futures are protected while minimizing potential future tax burdens.

Note: We protect our clients’ personal information. This hypothetical case study does not involve an actual Foresight Financial Planning client. No portion of this content should be construed by a client or prospective client as a guarantee that he/she will experience the same or a certain level of results or satisfaction if Foresight Financial Planning is engaged to provide investment advisory or financial planning services.

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