Common Trust

FAQs

Process

Timeline, steps, and staying involved

All Basics Comparison Employees Financing Process Tax

  • Most EOT sales follow the same path: independent valuation, trust design, sale of shares, repayment from cash flow or financing, and ongoing governance.

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  • Transitions can take 4 to 8 months, depending on complexity, financing, and legal setup — but the timeline can be adjusted to work best for you and your business.

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  • After the sale, businesses often continue as usual with leadership staying in place — with profits helping repay the seller, trustees overseeing the mission, and employees gaining more transparency.

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  • No. Many owners remain actively involved after the transaction, continuing as CEO, serving on the board, or stepping into an advisory role.

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  • The company’s leadership team continues running the business. An EOT changes who owns the company, but it doesn’t typically replace management.

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  • Governance is tailored to the company. The trustee oversees the trust’s purpose, while the board and leadership team continue directing strategy and operations.

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  • Yes. An Employee Ownership Trust can purchase some or all of a company’s shares. Some owners transition gradually; others complete a full sale.

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  • Yes. Many family-owned businesses choose an EOT as an alternative to selling to an outside buyer or passing the business to the next generation.

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