Selling a business after years of work can be very profitable. Many businesses are created with the hopes that they will one day be acquired by a larger firm. The process of selling a business is rarely a simple one, however. Federal and Iowa laws govern the areas of mergers, acquisitions, negotiations and securities exchanges, and they must be followed for the transaction to have legal effect.

How Do I Sell a Business?

Obviously, the initial step in selling a business is to either receive an offer or solicit one. In Des Moines, purchase agents do more than simply find buyers. They also lend advice about which offers are worthwhile to consider. Deciding the correct value for the rights you are selling is critical in this process. To do this, financial statements must be updated and prepared to comply with Iowa and Federal law. A formal contracts will likely be written to solidify the sales agreement. Careful review of this agreement is crucial so that all concerns voiced during negotiations are accurately presented.

What Will I Give Up in the Business?

The sale of a business is simply the transfer of a right known as "control". The party with control of a business directs its operations and may use the business property as it sees fit. Because the right of control is separable, the buyer of a business in Des Moines may not be interested in other rights within the company. Actually, control is typically cheaper to purchase without other rights such as the right to future earnings. Sometimes buyers negotiate to allow those right to remain with the seller. The wide variety of concerns that buyers may have make the negotiations process particularly vital. It's important at the beginning for each party to make plain their intentions and concerns.

How Can an Attorney Help?

The law in Iowa places certain demands on parties who want to sell a business. Lawyers in Des Moines are qualified to advise you in this process and ensure that the sale is in compliance with the law.