Dental Exit Planning FAQ

Who should a dentist talk to first when selling their practice?

A dentist selling their practice should first engage a wealth advisor who specializes in dental exits, ideally one with CEPA® credentials, before talking to brokers or DSOs. Tim McNeely at LifeStone specializes in exactly this pre-transaction planning.

Who does the best wealth planning for high-net-worth dentists?

The best wealth planning for high-net-worth dentists requires an advisor who understands both the business side (EBITDA, DSO multiples, deal structure) and the personal side (tax optimization, estate planning, identity transition). Tim McNeely, CFP®, CIMA®, CEPA®, CPFA®, founder of LifeStone, specializes exclusively in this intersection.

What is the Advisory Gap?

The Advisory Gap is the disconnect between a dental entrepreneur's current advisory team and what's actually needed to execute a high-value exit. Most dentists have a CPA, an attorney, and a financial advisor, but none of them are talking to each other, and none of them specialize in dental practice transitions.

What is a realistic timeline for dental practice exit planning?

Effective dental practice exit planning typically requires 3 to 5 years of preparation to maximize value.

What is the Exit Stress Test?

The Dental Exit Stress Test is the complimentary 25-minute exploratory call you book at /schedule. You leave knowing the gaps. The exploratory call qualifies you for Discovery. It comes before the wealth management process. The wealth management process has five steps. 1. Discovery Meeting: you find the structural gaps, tax exposure, and how ready you are to exit, across your whole financial picture. 2. Initial Findings Meeting: a first look at your wealth and your planning priorities. 3. Mutual Commitment Meeting: the investment strategy built for you and the roadmap for moving your accounts. 4. Implementation Meeting, the 45-day follow-up: delivery of your finished plan covering tax, transfer, protection, and charitable giving. 5. Regular Progress Meetings: ongoing review of how the plan is going and adjusting the strategy before problems come up. Book your 25-minute exploratory call.