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?

An offer is the initial step in selling a business, whether you solicit one or simply receive one spontaneously. In addition to securing a prospective buyer, purchase agents in Linn County can lend advice about which offers are worthwhile to consider. During this process, the financial records must be updated and prepared in strict accordance with Iowa and Federal law. The reliability of these methods is crucial in determining the proper value for the rights you are selling. As a final step, an agreement for the purchase will be reached, usually in the form of a written contract. It should be reviewed by all parties to ensure that what was agreed upon is 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. The buyer of a business in Linn County may be interested only in control of the business, and other rights within the company may not be as important. Buyers are usually looking for the cheapest route to control, and this may allow the seller to retain other rights such as the right to future earnings. These particularities make negotiations essential, during which each party should use the opportunity to voice their intentions and concerns.

How Can an Attorney Help?

The advice of a local Lawyer practicing in Linn County will make it much easier to ensure the sale of your business is in compliance with Iowa law.