Is there a clear plan for who leads the business next — and does that person know and feel prepared?
Is it clear who owns what in the business — and is that ownership protected (from divorce, creditors, disputes)?
If there are multiple children or family members, is there a plan for how ownership will be divided — and does everyone understand it?
When family members disagree about the business, is there an agreed process for resolving it?
Are there any formal structures in place — a shareholders' agreement, family employment policy, or dividend policy?
If the current leader were suddenly unable to work for 3 months, would the business run smoothly?
How does the family currently talk about money, roles, and the future of the business?
How would you describe the day-to-day tension level around the business — for the people running it and the wider family?
Has the current leader's own estate/succession plan actually been completed — or is it still "something to get to"?
Has the next generation (or successor) had real opportunities to develop leadership skills — through the business or elsewhere — before stepping into a bigger role?
Has the business faced a major disruption before (economic downturn, key person loss, market shift) — and if so, how did it respond?
When a disagreement does come up, how is it typically handled?
