Maybe the company you work for just went public. Maybe the company you work for is getting acquired. Maybe you have been working at the same place for years and are looking for a change. Maybe your employer is downsizing and you were unfortunately included in a recent round of layoffs. Whatever the situation, those who receive stock options, restricted stock units, and other forms of equity compensation will likely face a time when they need to make a plan for leveraging their equity to meet their financial goals. In order to do so, individuals must fully comprehend the details around the type of equity they own, understand the tax treatment of their equity, and contemplate how this equity fits into their overall financial picture. Each individual's situation is unique and personal, and water cooler advice is often insufficient. The document below lays out a checklist for beginning to ask the right questions.