Family business owners have always faced a myriad of obstacles when it comes to passing their business onto the next generation, from control issues to preserving traditions and values. Now, they are facing another hurdle – impending federal tax increases. Overcoming these challenges is not easy, which perhaps explains why many family businesses don’t go beyond the second generation according to recent research by PricewaterhouseCoopers. Still, as a recent article in the Puget Sound Business Journal called “Deep Roots” reveals, these challenges can be successfully overcome with careful succession planning. For an interesting look at how succession planning has helped several Seattle-based family businesses last well beyond their second generations, I encourage you to pick up a copy of the PSBJ (June 15-21, 2012).