Buying a Business in Illinois

Investing in a business can be advantageous for companies and private parties. The transaction can be complicated, however.

Particular regulations concerning mergers, acquisitions, negotiations or securities exchanges may be implicated when you buy a business. These areas are all governed by Federal and Illinois law.

What Parts of the Business Am I Buying?

A purchaser of a business in Geneseo gains a right called "control", which is the right to direct the business operations as they see fit. Control involves ownership of the business assets and customers, along with the company's debts. To balance the positives and negatives, the party buying a business must get a complete picture of the financial position of the business. Through a process called "due diligence", a buyer acquires this understanding. Through due diligence, federal and Illinois guidelines are used to inform both parties, and there may be legal consequences for not following these guidelines properly. However, obedience to the process of due diligence leads to a better informed decision about purchasing the business. And afterwards, it may also help the ownership transfer to go more smoothly.

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 Illinois. Procedures may make buying a business more or less expensive than simply the market value of its assets.

How Can a Geneseo Attorney Help?

In Illinois, the law poses requirements for a party purchasing a business to fulfill. An attorney experienced in Illinois law practicing in Geneseo can help you comply with these laws and acquire control of the business you want to buy as cheaply as possible.