Buying a Business in Georgia

Buying a business can be an advantageous investment for both individuals and companies. However, the transaction is much more complicated than a normal purchase.

Federal and Georgia law concerning mergers, acquisitions, negotiations and securities exchange sometimes come into play during the purchase of a business

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 acquires all assets and the customer base of the business, plus it also assumed the company's debts. In order to protect the interests of all parties, there must be an accurate and complete picture of the financial position of the business. This picture of the company's financials is gained through a process known as "due diligence". In the process of due diligence, Federal and Georgia guidelines are used to inform both parties. If there is a deviation 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 buy 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 decided somewhat by the value of the business property and the type of business. The process for how the right of control can be transferred or modified is defined by specific laws in Georgia. Procedures may make buying a business more or less expensive than simply the market value of its assets.

How Can a Cordele Attorney Help?

The laws in Georgia place many unique demands on parties seeking to purchase businesses. An attorney in Cordele, Georgia can inform you of the particularities of your investment as it relates to local law, as well as advise you of the least costly route to acquiring control.