Master Timeline
At a Glance
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
Business
W2 Exit
House
Financial
Visa
Green Card
Logistics
Biz Structure
ARRIVE NINGHAI
Exodus — Master Timeline
Last updated: 2026-04-01
Single view of all workstreams. Workback from ~Sep 1, 2026 arrival in Ninghai, China. Hard constraints: Adam’s China visa expires Sep 28. Yun’s re-entry permit must be filed before departure.
Week-by-Week Detail
APRIL 2026 — Prove It Month
Everything hinges on this month. Business growth triggers W2 exit. Declutter starts. Legal research begins.
Week 1: Apr 1–7
| Workstream | Action | Owner |
|---|---|---|
| Business | Launch DocProof quietly. First customers or meaningful signups. | Adam |
| Business | Launch Automator positioning quietly. Pipeline building. | Adam |
| House — Declutter | Start garage/storage sort. Four buckets: ship, store at son’s, sell, dump/donate. | Adam + Yun |
| Visa | Research Adam’s China visa type and renewal options. What visa do you have? Can it be extended in-country? | Adam |
| Green card | Research I-131 re-entry permit process, timeline, filing requirements. | Yun + Adam |
| School date | Yun confirms exact school year start date for Ninghai. | Yun |
| Financial | Identify CPA for consult (house sale tax + expat taxes + business structure — one call). | Adam |
Week 2: Apr 8–14
| Workstream | Action | Owner |
|---|---|---|
| Business | Continue DocProof/Automator growth push. Track metrics. | Adam |
| House — Declutter | Sort master bedroom closets, kids’ rooms, spare rooms. | Yun + Adam |
| House — Sale | Interview 2-3 real estate agents. Get CMAs. Understand timeline and commission structure. | Both |
| Financial | CPA consultation: Section 121 confirmation, cost basis with improvements, REET, expat tax intro. | Adam |
| Financial | Calculate full financial runway: house proceeds estimate + interest + business revenue vs. Ninghai burn rate. | Adam + Yun |
| Biz structure | Research WA vs WY LLC: B&O implications, re-domicile process, registered agent costs. | Adam |
Week 3: Apr 15–21
| Workstream | Action | Owner |
|---|---|---|
| Business | Growth continues. Are metrics trending? Can you show a chart going up? | Adam |
| House — Declutter | Sort kitchen, living areas, bathrooms. List high-value items for sale (Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp). | Both |
| House — Sale | Choose listing agent. Sign listing agreement. Discuss timeline: list mid-May. | Both |
| Financial | Research interest-bearing vehicles. Open HYSA if needed. Set up Schwab or Wise for international access. | Adam |
| Green card | Begin I-131 re-entry permit application. Gather documents. | Yun + Adam |
Week 4: Apr 22–30
| Workstream | Action | Owner |
|---|---|---|
| Business | End of prove-it month. Assess: is growth sufficient to trigger W2 exit? | Adam |
| House — Declutter | Outdoor/yard, attic/crawl space. Schedule donation pickups for accumulated donate pile. | Both |
| House — Declutter | First junk removal run — clear everything in the dump/donate pile that isn’t worth donating. | Adam |
| Visa | Adam’s visa plan confirmed. Renewal application started if needed. | Adam |
| Green card | File I-131 re-entry permit (or as soon as docs are ready). Must be filed BEFORE departure. | Yun |
| Biz structure | Decision: keep WA or re-domicile. If moving, begin process. | Adam |
| Financial | Bank account audit: which stay, which close, which need international-friendly alternatives. | Adam |
MAY 2026 — Launch & List
Growth proven → give notice. House gets listed. Go loud on business.
Week 5: May 1–7
| Workstream | Action | Owner |
|---|---|---|
| W2 exit | If April growth is proven: give 2-week notice at iSoftStone. | Adam |
| Business | Go loud. Public launch of DocProof + Automator. Content push. Networking while still in US. | Adam |
| House — Declutter | Final sweep: anything unsold → donate or junk. Second junk removal run if needed. | Both |
| House — Sale | Professional deep clean. Minor touch-ups (paint, nail holes, bulbs). | Both |
| House — Sale | Professional photography, 3D tour, videography. | Agent |
Week 6: May 8–14
| Workstream | Action | Owner |
|---|---|---|
| Business | Maximize growth. In-person events, content, outreach while still in US. | Adam |
| House — Sale | Agent finalizes CMA, sets list price. Disclosure paperwork complete. | Agent + Both |
| House — Sale | Consider pre-inspection to speed up offer process. | Both |
| Financial | International banking fully set up. Test transfers. Verify China access (VPN may be needed). | Adam |
| Logistics | Research sea freight shipping to Ninghai. Get quotes. Timeline is 6-8 weeks — if shipping mid-June, arrives early August. | Adam |
Week 7-8: May 15–31
| Workstream | Action | Owner |
|---|---|---|
| W2 exit | Last day at iSoftStone (2 weeks after notice). Full-time on business + move prep. | Adam |
| Business | Full-time growth mode. Every day counts before departure. | Adam |
| House — Sale | LIST THE HOUSE. MLS live. Open houses first two weekends. | Agent |
| Logistics | Set up virtual mailbox / mail forwarding to son’s address. | Adam |
| Logistics | Research VPN, US phone number retention (Google Voice or similar), WeChat setup. | Adam |
| Biz structure | If re-domiciling: WA dissolution filed, new state registration complete. | Adam |
JUNE 2026 — Sell & Prepare
House on market, offers coming in. Business in full growth mode. Start sorting what ships to China.
Week 9-10: Jun 1–14
| Workstream | Action | Owner |
|---|---|---|
| House — Sale | House actively marketed. Open houses. Showings. Respond to offers. | Agent + Both |
| Business | Continue growth push. Content, outreach, client acquisition. | Adam |
| Financial | Expat tax planning finalized with CPA. Understand 2026 filing obligations. | Adam |
| Logistics | Begin packing “ship to China” items. Label, inventory, photograph. | Yun |
| Logistics | Begin packing “store at son’s” items. Coordinate with son on storage space. | Both |
Week 11-12: Jun 15–30
| Workstream | Action | Owner |
|---|---|---|
| House — Sale | Accept offer (target). Enter escrow. Buyer inspection + appraisal period begins (~30-45 days to close). | Both |
| Business | Continue building. This is the last full month with US presence. | Adam |
| Logistics | Ship sea freight to Ninghai (if closing allows — may need to ship from a storage unit or son’s place if house closes before ship date). | Yun + Adam |
| Logistics | Sell remaining furniture that won’t be needed after move-out. | Both |
JULY 2026 — Close & Pack
House closing. Final possessions sort. Preparing for departure.
Week 13-14: Jul 1–14
| Workstream | Action | Owner |
|---|---|---|
| House — Sale | Escrow period. Buyer loan approval, final walkthrough. | Agent |
| Business | Continue growth. Begin transitioning any location-dependent processes. | Adam |
| Logistics | Sell or donate all remaining large items (furniture, appliances staying). | Both |
| Logistics | Finalize what goes to son’s place for storage. Move those items. | Both |
Week 15-16: Jul 15–31
| Workstream | Action | Owner |
|---|---|---|
| House — Sale | CLOSE. Sign papers. Receive proceeds. Move out. | Both |
| Financial | Park ~$970K proceeds: HYSA x2 ($250K each, FDIC), T-bill ladder ($300K+), I-bonds ($20K). ~$3,625/mo passive income. | Adam |
| Logistics | Final move-out. Professional cleaning for buyer. | Both |
| Logistics | Move to temporary arrangement if needed (son’s place, Airbnb) for remaining weeks. | Both |
AUGUST 2026 — Go
Last US tasks. Board the plane.
Week 17-18: Aug 1–14
| Workstream | Action | Owner |
|---|---|---|
| Business | Verify all systems run from China: DocProof, Automator, email, payments. | Adam |
| Logistics | Final US errands: doctor/dental visits, prescriptions, any last purchases. | Both |
| Logistics | Cancel all local services: utilities (if not already), gym, subscriptions, etc. | Adam |
| Logistics | Confirm mail forwarding active. Confirm son has power of attorney docs (if needed for any lingering items). | Adam |
| Logistics | Phone setup finalized: US number on Google Voice, Chinese SIM plan, VPN tested. | Adam |
Week 19-20: Aug 15–31
| Workstream | Action | Owner |
|---|---|---|
| Logistics | Pack suitcases. Final items to son’s storage. | Both |
| Logistics | Book flights if not already done. | Both |
| DEPART | Fly to Ninghai. Arrive before school year starts (~Sep 1). | Both |
SEPTEMBER 2026+ — Acclimatize
Week 21+: Sep 1 onward
| Workstream | Action | Owner |
|---|---|---|
| Settle | Register at local police station (required for foreigners within 24 hours of arrival in China). | Adam |
| Settle | Set up daily routine. Workspace at Yun’s parents’ home. | Both |
| Business | Continue DocProof/Automator growth from China. Time zone shift: 15 hours ahead of PST. | Adam |
| Visa | Monitor Adam’s visa expiry (Sep 28). Renewal/extension must be in process or complete. | Adam |
| Financial | Verify all income streams accessible: business revenue, interest, banking. | Adam |
| Content | Document the move. First Automator case study. Yun’s YouTube content. | Both |
Critical Path Items (Miss These = Plan Breaks)
| Item | Hard Deadline | Why Critical |
|---|---|---|
| I-131 re-entry permit FILED | Before departure (~Aug 25) | Yun’s green card at risk if abroad >1 year without it |
| Adam’s visa valid for entry | Sep 28, 2026 (expiry) | Can’t enter China after this date on current visa |
| House listed | Mid-May 2026 | Peak season. Later = risk of not closing before departure |
| House closed | Mid-July 2026 | Need proceeds parked before leaving. Fallback: power of attorney to son |
| Business growth shown | Apr 30, 2026 | W2 exit trigger — delays cascade through everything |
| Sea freight shipped | Mid-June 2026 | 6-8 week transit. Later = essentials arrive after you do |
| International banking working | Jul 2026 | Must access US funds from China on day one |
Parallel Workstream Summary
Five things running simultaneously. Here’s who owns what:
| Workstream | Primary Owner | Key Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Business growth (DocProof + Automator) | Adam | Apr–Aug (continuous) |
| House sale (declutter → list → close) | Both (agent helps May+) | Apr 1 – Jul 15 |
| Legal (visa + green card + biz structure) | Adam + Yun | Apr 1 – Jun 30 |
| Financial (tax, banking, proceeds) | Adam | Apr 1 – Jul 31 |
| Logistics (pack, ship, exit) | Yun (lead) + Adam | Jun 1 – Aug 25 |
Open Questions
- Exact school start date for Ninghai — Yun to confirm
- What type of China visa does Adam have? Tourist (L), Business (M), Family Visit (Q)? Renewal options differ.
- IMPORTANT: Home improvements since 2019 that increase cost basis? (Roof, HVAC, remodel, landscaping, appliances, fencing, driveway, etc.) — at ~$1.9M sale price, gain exceeds $500K exclusion by ~$85K–$115K. Every dollar of documented improvements reduces tax. If improvements total $85K+, federal tax drops to $0.
- Does son need formal power of attorney for any post-departure tasks?
- Sea freight logistics: ship from house before close, or from temporary storage?
- What’s the Ninghai monthly burn rate? (Housing = $0, but food, transport, internet, misc)
- Any US subscriptions/services that must stay active from abroad?