| Do I understand that he hasn't been employed there before now (on more than an occasional basis)? If he goes elsewhere and gets paid for his work, in what way is that different from this situation? He has an additional advantage here in that he can draw freely on his Dad's advice, judgement and skills much more than could an outsider. Or than could he, were he to work elsewhere and then want to take over the business. If he went to work elsewhere and there was a consideration that he might be groomed to take over the business, would he expect to have it given to him without compensation to the former owners? For the assets? Let alone the good will? Or the mentorship on the part of the current owner? Are there other family members who might feel that they should have some interest in what has been the parents' business, up till now? On the other hand, if this is a substantial business, you might want to run what we call in Canada an "estate freeze", which is to issue two kinds of stock, the preferred kind of a specified dollar value that relates to the current value of the assets and pays a rate of return on that until, either by prior agreement or through negotiations initially or ongoing between buyer and seller, are paid off as the new owner is able to do so. There's another class of shares, called common, that are issued, in many cases to the oncoming generation, so that future growth may relate to this class of shares. Sometimes some of the common are issued related to being offspring of the parents, whether participating in the business or not, and another group of the common issued to the family members who will be participating in the business. In your case, if you think that the business that was larger earlier but has been cut back recently for mainly health reasons but has good potential for later growth, partly related to its earlier size, part of the common shares might be issued to the parents, as well, so that they might participate partially in future growth. Sounds as though such ideas may not be received too enthusiastically by your son, however, if he feels that he shoud get the business free of charge. Freqently the chair in which one sits does seem to have quite an effect on one's point of view, doesn't it? Especially when it comes to money. I hope that you can work out an arrangement to suits everyone, not just currently, but down the road, as well. Good wishes for a wonderful New Year to you and yours. ole joyful | 
