Buying a Business in Indiana

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

Specific regulations concerning mergers, acquisitions, negotiations or securities exchanges may be implicated when you buy a business. These areas are all governed by Federal and Indiana 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 acquires all assets and the customer base of the business, plus it also assumed 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 gains this understanding. In the process of due diligence, Federal and Indiana guidelines are used to inform both parties. If there is a deviation from these guidelines, one party may be held legally accountable. However, due diligence will lead to a better informed decision concerning whether you want to buy the business. Also, it will help the business to transition more smoothly to new ownership.

How Much Will the Business Cost?

The price of a business mostly depends on how much ownership stake is required for control. The value of the business property and the type of business are also important factors. The process for how the right of control can be transferred or modified is defined by specific laws in Indiana. Procedures may make buying a business more or less expensive than simply the market value of its assets.

How Can a Lake County Attorney Help?

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