A new survey from Edward Jones and Morning Consult finds that advisor succession planning has less to do with logistics than with emotion. The biggest barrier respondents cited was simply the difficulty of finding a new owner they can actually trust with the business, followed closely by a general reluctance to confront how complicated the process can be. 

Smaller shares pointed to anxiety over getting a fair valuation or a sense that retirement still feels too far away to plan for now. 

That emotional hesitation is creating a real gap between intention and preparation. Firms have responded by building out dedicated transition support and team based structures meant to let advisors ease into a handoff gradually rather than facing one all at once.

Finsum: The industry's real challenge may be emotional readiness rather than the technical mechanics of handing down a practice.