Buying a Business in Louisiana

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

There are Federal and Louisiana laws concerning mergers, acquisitions, negotiations and securities exchange that may impact 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 gains all assets and the customer base of the business, plus it also assumed the company's debts. To make his decision, a purchaser will want a complete picture of the financial position of the business. Through a process called "due diligence", a company's financials become clear. In the process of due diligence, Federal and Louisiana guidelines are used to inform both parties. If there is a violation 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 purchase 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 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 Louisiana. Procedures may make buying a business more or less expensive than simply the market value of its assets.

How Can a St. Martinville Attorney Help?

The laws in Louisiana place many unique demands on parties seeking to purchase businesses. An attorney in St. Martinville, Louisiana 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.