In this episode of Advisor Talk, Frank LaRosa sits down with Elite Advisor Successions Managing Director Joseph Greco for part two of their succession planning series, diving into the full lifecycle of a transaction – what happens after the letter of intent is signed, and what it really takes to move a deal from handshake to close.

Frank and Joe walk through the nitty-gritty of the post-LOI process, exploring common challenges that both buyers and sellers face – from misaligned expectations and attorney delays to compliance hurdles and CRM integrations. They emphasize the importance of proactive communication, strong operational readiness, and having a clear transition strategy in place.

Key Topics Covered:

-What buyers can do to become “preferred” with intermediaries and sellers.

-Timeline expectations from LOI to purchase agreement.

-How financing, compliance, and legal factors can stall (or kill) deals.

-Why CRM/data integration is often overlooked – but critical.

-The power of clear workflows, automated systems, and back-end earnout strategies.

-When and why it’s smart to “overpay” for the right practice.

Tune in to learn how to protect your transaction, accelerate integration, and ensure long-term success.

Whether you’re a financial advisor considering a future exit or a buyer looking to scale smart, this episode will give you practical insights into how to successfully close – and integrate – a wealth management practice.