This paper investigates the factors that lead a family business to name a successor for the business, as the succession process often begins with naming a successor. We further separate family businesses into farm and non-farm businesses to compare and contrast the results. The factors used in the probit regression are clustered into three groups: business factors, family factors, and individual factors. Identifying the barriers that family businesses face when naming a successor will help Extension and other small and family business consulting agencies and organizations to formulate a guide to assist families when working through this process.