Buying a Business in California
Purchasing a business can be an beneficial investment for both individuals and companies. However, the transaction is much more complicated than an usual purchase.
Purchasing a business occasionally involves laws concerning mergers, acquisitions, negotiations or securities exchanges. These fields are governed by California and Federal law.
What Parts of the Business Am I Buying?
If a party wants to direct business operations, the best way is to acquire a right called "control". With control of a business, the party gains all assets and the customer base of the business, plus it also assumed the company's debts. To make his decision, a purchaser will want a complete picture of the financial position of the business. Through a process called "due diligence", a company's financials become clear. In the process of due diligence, Federal and California guidelines are used to inform both parties. If there is a violation from these guidelines, one party may be held legally accountable. Following the process of due diligence dutifully is the best way to inform oneself for whether to purchase a business. Also if the business is eventually bought, transfers of ownership happen much more easily once the process is followed.
How Much Will the Business Cost?
The price of a business depends on the value of the ownership stake that is necessary to exert control, and this in turn is determined somewhat by the value of the business property and the type of business. The procedure for how the right of control can be transferred or modified is defined by particular laws in California. Procedures may make buying a business more or less expensive than simply the market value of its assets.
How Can a Berkeley Attorney Help?
There are unique requirements in California that a party purchasing a business must fulfill. In Berkeley, an attorney experienced in California law can inform you about the peculiarities of your investment and outline the cheapest way for you to purchase control.
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