Deal Structure Scenarios
Is This Founder and Company IP Ownership Structure Sound?
Core intellectual property used by the business may have been created or retained by a founder rather than clearly owned…
Is This Survivor-Pension Arrangement Sound?
Your household retirement income depends partly on benefits attached to one person's pension. The amount continuing afte…
Is This Retirement-Community Agreement Structured Soundly?
You've decided a retirement community may suit you and are reviewing the actual agreement. Tenure, recurring fees, opera…
Is This Defined-Benefit Pension Transfer Structured Soundly?
You're reviewing the actual structure of a proposed transfer from guaranteed pension benefits into capital you will cont…
Is This Retirement Drawdown Plan Structured Soundly?
Your retirement income will depend partly on withdrawals from invested assets. The initial withdrawal may appear sustain…
Is This Annuity Structured Soundly?
You've decided an annuity may be appropriate and are reviewing the actual terms. Inflation increases, survivor benefits,…
Is This Revolving Credit Structure Sound?
You're using credit that can be repaid and borrowed again without a fixed amortisation path. Minimum payments may keep t…
Is This Personal Debt Consolidation or Refinancing Structured Soundly?
You're replacing existing personal debts with new finance. A lower payment may result from a better rate, but it can als…
Is This Vehicle or Major-Asset Finance Structured Soundly?
You're financing a vehicle or another major personal asset rather than paying the full price upfront. Deposit, instalmen…
Is This Mortgage Structured Soundly?
You're reviewing the financing rather than the property itself. Loan-to-value, rate changes, repayment profile, term and…
Is This Buy-to-Let Investment Structured Soundly?
You've decided a rental property may be worth pursuing and are reviewing the actual structure. Financing, expected rent,…
Is This Home Renovation or Building Contract Structured Soundly?
You're about to commit to substantial work on your home. Scope, pricing, variations, milestones, delays and defect respo…
Is This Residential Tenancy Agreement Structured Soundly?
You're preparing to rent a home under a specific tenancy agreement. Rent changes, deposit terms, repairs, renewal, occup…
Is This Residential Property Purchase Structured Soundly?
You've decided you may buy the property and are now considering the actual transaction. Condition, title, financing, dep…
Is This Residential Mortgage Structured Soundly?
You're taking on debt secured against your home. The initial payment is only one part of the structure: rate changes, lo…
Is This Family Property Use Arrangement Sound?
A family member will live in or use property you own. An informal arrangement can leave rent, costs, maintenance, durati…
Is This Inherited Property Buyout Structure Sound?
One family member is buying another's share of inherited property. Agreement on the idea does not resolve valuation, fin…
Is This Family Business Investment Structure Sound?
You're putting additional money into a family business. The capital may be described as support, investment or a loan, b…
Is This Family Business Succession Structure Sound?
A family business is moving toward a new generation or successor. Operational responsibility can transfer before ownersh…
Is This Parent Care Funding Arrangement Sound?
You're arranging ongoing funding for a parent's care. Costs may rise, needs may change and contributions from other fami…
Is This Long-Term Family Financial Support Arrangement Sound?
You're agreeing to provide continuing financial support to a family member. Regular assistance can gradually become an a…
Is This Family Education Funding Commitment Sound?
You're committing to fund a family member's education over an extended period. The total exposure depends on duration, c…
Is Using My Home as Security for Family Debt Structured Soundly?
Your home may be used as security for borrowing that benefits another family member. Their financing need is separate fr…
Is This Family Loan Guarantee Structured Soundly?
You're guaranteeing borrowing for a family member. They receive the funds and control repayment, but you may carry the l…
Is This Family Loan Structured Soundly?
You're lending money to a family member with an expectation of repayment. The relationship can make amount, timing, enfo…
Is This Promotion Package Structured Soundly?
A promotion increases your title or responsibility, but the real structure depends on authority, resources, compensation…
Is This Bonus Structure Actually Controllable?
A meaningful part of your expected compensation depends on bonus. The target may appear achievable, but payment can also…
Is This Probation and Termination Structure Sound?
The role includes a probation period during which termination may be easier or notice shorter. That may be routine, but …
Is This Contract Employment Package Structured Soundly?
A contract role offers compensation for a defined period rather than open-ended employment. The headline rate may be hig…
Is This Employer-Provided Housing Arrangement Sound?
Your accommodation is being provided or controlled by your employer. This may reduce immediate housing costs, but employ…
Is This Relocation Package Structured Soundly?
Your employer is supporting a move for the role. Flights, moving costs, housing or allowances may be covered, but repaym…
Is This Long Notice Period Structurally Workable?
The role carries a long notice period. It may provide employment protection, but it can also restrict future mobility if…
What Does This Non-Compete Restriction Actually Limit?
Your employment terms restrict some activities after you leave. The practical effect depends on the restricted work, dur…
Is This Equity Compensation Package Structured Soundly?
Part of your compensation is being offered as equity rather than cash. The headline value may look attractive, but vesti…
Is This Sign-On Bonus and Clawback Structure Sound?
You're being offered a sign-on bonus that may need to be repaid if you leave within a defined period. The cash arrives i…
Are These Business Sale and Earn-Out Terms Sound?
You're selling a business with part of the price dependent on future performance. After completion, the buyer may contro…
Is This Employment Lock-In Structure Sound?
You're considering employment terms that create several restrictions around leaving. Notice, bonus repayment, vesting an…
Is This Shared Family Care Arrangement Sound?
Family members are agreeing how to share an ongoing care responsibility. Good intentions may not define who provides tim…
Is This Family Property Co-Ownership Agreement Sound?
You're formalising shared ownership of property with family. Ownership percentages alone may not resolve occupation, mor…
Is This Fixed-Price Service Contract Structured Soundly?
You're agreeing a fixed price before the full cost of delivery is known. The initial scope may appear manageable, but un…
Is This Subcontractor Agreement Structured Soundly?
You're accepting work through another contractor rather than directly from the end client. Payment, delivery and liabili…
Is This Convertible Note or SAFE Structured Soundly?
You're raising capital through an instrument that postpones some ownership economics until later. Valuation caps, discou…
Is This Joint Venture Agreement Structured Soundly?
You're entering a joint venture where parties will share resources, obligations or outcomes without necessarily sharing …
Is This Franchise Agreement Structured Soundly?
You're considering a franchise that provides a brand and operating model but also imposes continuing obligations. Royalt…
Is This Commercial Lease Agreement Structured Soundly?
You're considering a commercial lease that will create a long-term fixed commitment. Rent is only part of the exposure: …
Is This Co-Owner Exit Agreement Sound?
You're agreeing how business owners can eventually separate. A future exit may depend on valuation rules, funding, trans…
Is This Investment Agreement Giving Away Too Much Control?
You're reviewing an investment agreement that provides capital in exchange for ownership and investor rights. The valuat…
Is This Exclusive Supplier Agreement Sound?
You're considering an exclusive supplier agreement. Better pricing or access may justify exclusivity, but minimum commit…
Is This Major Customer Contract Creating Too Much Dependency?
You're reviewing a contract that could make one customer commercially important to the business. The revenue may be attr…
Are These Key Hire Terms Sound?
You're finalising terms for a person who may become important to the business. Compensation may attract them, but author…
Is This Business Loan and Guarantee Structure Sound?
You're reviewing finance that may include business debt, security or personal guarantees. The funding solves an immediat…
Are These Business Acquisition Terms Sound?
You're preparing to acquire an existing business. The headline price may be agreed, but liabilities, working capital, ea…
Is This Shareholder Agreement Structured Soundly?
You're preparing to enter a shareholder agreement. Ownership percentages may be clear while authority, deadlock, distrib…
A deal with a friend
You trust them. The terms are “understood.” Nothing is written down properly. Most deals with friends fail quietly, not …
Performance Targets With Penalties
A deal offers attractive terms but requires you to meet specific volume or revenue targets. If targets are missed, penal…
Long-Term Contract With Weak Exit Terms
A multi-year agreement offers stable terms but includes restrictive exit conditions. Termination requires long notice pe…
Fixed Cost Commitment With Uncertain Revenue
You are required to commit to fixed monthly costs for infrastructure, staffing, or marketing. Revenue is expected but no…
High Revenue Share With No Control
A partner offers a high revenue share on client activity. They fully control acquisition and retention. You rely on thei…
Exclusive IB Deal With No Guaranteed Volume
An IB proposes an exclusive partnership. They expect to bring significant volume but provide no guarantees. You must all…