The Deal Board

JT welcomes you to another episode of The Deal Board Podcast. This week, JT is joined by Kelly Lise Murray to unpack what happens when divorce intersects with business ownership. With decades of experience in family law and wealth disputes, Kelly explains why valuation in a divorce is rarely straightforward and often depends on the quality and balance of evidence presented. The conversation explores how courts approach business value differently from the open market, why relying on incomplete or one-sided information can shape outcomes, and how legal strategy, timing, and documentation all play a critical role. JT and Kelly also discuss the risks of letting disputes drag on, the cost of litigation versus early agreement, and why selling the business can sometimes provide the clearest path forward. They close with practical advice for business owners facing divorce, from cleaning up financials to treating the process like a business transaction. Tune in to learn how to protect value and navigate one of the most complex scenarios a business owner can face!    Listing of the Week:  Chris "Chip" Redmond (Central Florida) is offering a Book of Business in the healthcare insurance space, built on recurring revenue from Medicare Advantage plans. The business is driven by established relationships with major carriers, including United, Humana, Freedom, and Aetna, with 2025 figures verified directly from 1099s provided by the insurance companies. Listed at $415,000, this opportunity is well-suited for an insurance agent or agency looking to expand its footprint in the Central Florida market with reliable, repeat income. For more information, call Chris (Chip) Redmond at (407) 326-6990 or email him at [email protected]  Deal of the Week:  A 20+ year-old management consulting business with recurring revenue and nationwide clients has successfully sold for $2.2 million. Listed by Marty Fishman of Transworld Business Advisors, the business generated strong interest, with hundreds of NDAs and multiple offers. An initial deal with a private equity buyer fell through during extended due diligence after attempts to renegotiate. After returning to market, the seller found the right fit in an independent buyer whose full-price offer aligned with expectations. Following another intensive due diligence and SBA process, the deal closed successfully, supported by a strong buyer-seller relationship and the seller's commitment to a smooth transition. For more information, call Marty Fishman at (754) 224-3134 or email [email protected]  Key Takeaways From This Episode:  [00:29] Introducing Kelly Lise Murray and today's focus on divorce and business ownership.  [02:25] How to ensure a smooth business transition during a divorce.  [04:20] Real-world case example highlighting the cost of getting it wrong the first time.  [06:43] Reflections on the high divorce rates in the US, especially among older couples.   [08:37] How valuation is approached during divorce, either through mediation or courts.  [10:25] The critical role of documentation and presenting strong, balanced valuation evidence.  [14:26] Why it's best to agree with your spouse on valuation in court and sell if you can.  [18:33] Strategic considerations when one or both spouses are active in the business.  [23:54] How valuation evidence, like tax returns, is scrutinized during divorce proceedings.  [26:17] The importance of timing, mediation, and early agreement in reducing costs.   [28:36] Practical steps for business owners, including cleaning up financials.  [32:41] The role of prenuptial and postnuptial agreements in protecting business assets.  [34:03] Final advice on seeking legal guidance and preparing to defend business value.  [35:53] Details on how to get in touch with Kelly and her podcast Wealth Litigated.  [37:18] Deal of the Week: Marty Fishman (Fort Lauderdale) sells a 20+ year-old management consulting business for $2.2M after a complex process.  [39:31] Listing of the Week: Chris "Chip" Redmond (Central Florida) is selling a Medicare Advantage–driven insurance book of business with recurring revenue, listed at $415,000.    Links Mentioned in Today's Episode:  The Deal Board Podcast   Subscribe to The Deal Board Podcast YouTube Channel   United Franchise Group   Transworld Business Advisors   Transworld on LinkedIn   Transworld on Facebook   Call us — (888) 719-9098   Email us [email protected]  Kelly Lise Murray on LinkedIn  Wealth Litigated  Marty Fishman  Insurance Agency Book of Business for Sale – Health Care  Chris "Chip" Redmond    #thedealboard #transworldbusinessadvisors #realestate #commercial    Quotes:  "When you're selling, you're trying to find that one buyer. When you're divorcing, you have extra eyes on those documents." — Kelly Lise Murray [0:02:50]  "You want to put all your effort into the trial level, the first round, because on appeal, the appellate court can only look at evidence in the record from the trial level, and that trial court has a lot of discretion." — Kelly Lise Murray [0:03:16]  "Do we want to spend hundreds of 1000s of dollars on experts and lawyers fighting? – What if the business is worth $200,000? Do you want to spend 75,000 to 100,000 total, arguing about it?" — Kelly Lise Murray [0:27:12]  "Anyone going through a divorce needs to treat it like a business transaction." — Kelly Lise Murray [0:31:21]  "It's really important with business and other high-value assets to get the legal advice first and then, second, the business advice, and decide: 'What are the documents I have? What else do I need to defend my valuation of this business?'" — Kelly Lise Murray [0:34:48]