The following synopsis and link provide some great info on exit planning from the perspective of some of the financial planners at Morgan Stanley.
The company in which you hold an equity stake is considering going public. The business you’ve built painstakingly over the years has attracted the interest of a potential buyer. These potential liquidity events may represent a significant magnification of wealth for you in the months to come. Liquidity events — so called because they may convert illiquid assets to cash or marketable securities — can increase your wealth substantially. With proper planning, the right timing and an experienced team of advisors, you may also mitigate the elevated personal income and estate tax liability usually associated with an Initial Public Offering or the sale of a privately held company.
Click Here to view the full Morgan Stanley Whitepaper.