External Exit Decision Framework - Partnership

What this is

A decision framework for equity partners deciding whether the partnership can carry one external exit position forward.

It is completed before buyer engagement, adviser-led execution, valuation work, disclosure or transaction activity begins.

What it helps you decide

• Whether external exit is a shared partnership intent, a response to different partner pressures, or a path to rule out for now
• Whether partners have compatible exit timing, liquidity needs, risk tolerance, buyer preferences and post-close role expectations
• Where decision authority sits when partners disagree
• Which partners hold practical veto power through clients, revenue, licence position, reputation, equity, history or role
• Whether earn-out, rollover, deferred payment, scrip, restraints, warranties, indemnities or post-close employment affect partners unevenly
• Whether the partnership has one valid position: proceed, defer, rule out, or record that no valid partnership position exists

Why buy this

Partnership exits can look aligned while partners carry different private consequences.

One partner may need liquidity sooner. Another may carry more client transition risk. Another may remain exposed through earn-out, rollover, employment, restraints or professional liability.

This framework makes those differences visible before the partnership speaks to buyers, advisers, brokers or valuation specialists. It records the partnership position, accepted divergence, hard limits, unresolved issues and the next authorised step.

What you get

• A completable partnership decision framework with response fields
• A two-stage process: private partner completion followed by collective comparison
• Partner-level sections covering timing, liquidity, deferred exposure, control loss, buyer type, client relationships, post-close roles and professional obligations
• A partnership alignment test
• An external exit reality check
• Relationship and political failure mode prompts
• A collective decision output: proceed, defer, rule out or no valid partnership position exists
• A completion integrity check
• A decision record
• A partner confirmation schedule
• An adviser briefing template