Selling Your Business? A Due Diligence Checklist

clients talking with attorney at corporate law firm about an acquisition and due diligence

If you are thinking about selling your business in the next one to three years, working with an experienced business attorney early in the process can make a significant difference in how smoothly that sale goes. The single biggest mistake most owners make is waiting until a buyer shows interest before getting organized. By the time a letter of intent is on the table, due diligence moves fast, and any gaps in your records can slow the deal down, reduce your purchase price, or in some cases cause a buyer to walk away entirely.

The good news is that most of what buyers look for is well within your control if you start early. Here is a due diligence checklist to help you get ahead of the process.

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Asset Purchase or Equity Purchase: Pros and Cons of Each

business acquisition being done in tri-state area

When buying or selling a business, one of the most important decisions is how the transaction will be structured. In most mergers and acquisitions (M&A), a deal is structured as either an asset purchase or an equity purchase (referred to as a stock purchase for Corporations or membership interest purchase for LLCs).

Although both approaches ultimately transfer control of a business, the legal, tax, and liability implications can be dramatically different. The choice between these two structures affects issues such as: (i) liability exposure (ii) tax consequences; (iii) transfer of contracts and licenses; (iv) regulatory approvals (if any); and (v) negotiation dynamics between buyer and seller

Understanding the pros and cons of each structure is critical for entrepreneurs, investors, and business owners considering a transaction. This blog gives a practical overview of asset purchases vs. equity purchases and how each structure works.

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Seven Things To Consider Before Your First Acquisition

acquisition

Mergers and acquisitions are an integral part of company growth for both the acquirer and the acquiree. With big money and high stakes involved, these transactions are fertile ground for an unsophisticated party to get short-changed. Due diligence must be done before finalizing a merger or acquisition.

Legally, acquisitions present a host of issues that must be overcome. If you are about to enter into your first acquisition, this blog discusses some of the most significant points you need to consider.

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