"Sooner or later, everyone wants to retire." So begins Succession Planning Issues for Family Businesses by Susan Ward on Small Business:Canada.

Ward lists six specific succession planning tips for family businesses, which we summarize here. (I recommend that you click though to the linked article to read the complete version.)

"1) Start business succession planning early.

2) Involve your family in business succession planning discussions.

3) Look at your family realistically and plan accordingly.

4) Get over the idea that everyone has to have an equal share.

5) Train your successor(s) and work with them.

6) Get outside help with your business succession planning."