When Growth, Liquidity, or NIL Income Requires Structural Change

As advisors, we often see clients evolve faster than their planning. A business takes off, a liquidity event changes the balance sheet overnight, or a young client begins earning significant Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) income. In each of these moments, the client’s existing structure may no longer match their reality.

This article is designed to help professional advisors recognize these inflection points, start informed conversations, and connect clients with the right planning team for next steps.

Why Structure Matters More Than Ever

“Structure” is the framework that governs how assets are owned, controlled, protected, and transferred. For many clients, early-stage planning is intentionally simple. But as complexity increases, simplicity can become a risk.

Advisors do not need to diagnose the legal solution to recognize when something has changed. The key is identifying when a client’s growth, liquidity, or income profile has outpaced their current framework.

Three Common Triggers for Structural Change

1. Business or Asset Growth

When a client’s business or investment portfolio grows significantly, the stakes change. What once felt manageable can become concentrated risk or create future tax and succession challenges.

Advisor Conversation Starters:

• “Your business has grown substantially—have you revisited how it is owned and governed?”
• “If something happened to you tomorrow, is it clear who controls and manages this asset?”

Growth is often the moment when clients need a more thoughtful ownership and governance framework.

2. Liquidity Events

Liquidity events—such as a business sale, recapitalization, inheritance, or large bonus—can be transformative. They also introduce new complexity around taxes, asset protection, family dynamics, and long-term planning.

Advisor Conversation Starters:

• “This liquidity event changes your financial picture. Have you reviewed how your assets are structured and titled?”
• “Are your current documents aligned with your new level of wealth and family goals?”

Liquidity is one of the most effective planning catalysts, especially when clients understand that timing matters.

3. NIL and Personal Brand Income

NIL income and digital brand monetization have created a new category of high-earning young clients. Student-athletes, creators, and influencers often become business owners before they have any formal planning in place.

Advisor Conversation Starters:

• “Your NIL contracts and brand deals are real business income—have you put any structure around how that income is received and managed?”
• “Who is helping you think through access, protection, and long-term planning for this income?”

For families, this is often their first exposure to sophisticated planning concepts, making advisor guidance especially valuable.

What Advisors Can Do (Without Practicing Law)

Advisors do not need to design the structure to add significant value. Instead, advisors can:

1. Spot the Trigger: Recognize when growth, liquidity, or new income streams have materially changed the client’s profile.
2. Normalize the Conversation: Frame structural planning as a natural next step, not a crisis response.
3. Coordinate the Team: Connect the client with estate planning, tax, and legal professionals for deeper analysis.
4. Document the Change: Update financial plans, risk profiles, and client records to reflect the new reality.

A Simple Framework for Client Reviews

Consider integrating these trigger questions into your annual or event-driven reviews:

• Has the client’s net worth or income materially increased?
• Has ownership or control of a major asset changed?
• Has the client experienced or is anticipating a liquidity event?
• Is the client earning income from intellectual property, endorsements, or personal brand activities?

If the answer is yes, it is likely time for a structural review with the broader advisory team.

How We Support Advisors and Their Clients

At Snyder Law, we work closely with professional advisors to evaluate when a client’s growth, liquidity, or NIL income requires deeper planning conversations. Our role is to help clients understand their options and align their legal framework with their financial and family goals.

If you have a client who is experiencing rapid growth, a liquidity event, or emerging NIL income, we are happy to collaborate on next steps and provide guidance for your client.

Growth, liquidity, and NIL income are milestones—but they are also structural turning points. Advisors who recognize these moments and initiate the right conversations can significantly enhance client outcomes and strengthen long-term relationships.

If you would like to discuss a specific client scenario or explore how we partner with advisors, please reach out to our team.