Buying a Business in Massachusetts

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

Federal and Massachusetts law concerning mergers, acquisitions, negotiations and securities exchange sometimes come into play during the purchase of a business

What Parts of the Business Am I Buying?

When someone buys a business in Dalton, they are actually gaining the right to direct business operations as they see fit. This right is called ?control? of the business. Control entails ownership of all the assets and customer base of the business, but it also includes the responsibility for that company?s debts and liabilities. 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. The process of due diligence uses Federal and Massachusetts guidelines to protect both parties. If these guidelines are not followed, a party may be found in breach of a legal duty. Following the process of due diligence dutifully is the best way to inform oneself for whether to buy a business. Also if the business is eventually bought, transfers of ownership happen much more easily once the process is followed.

How Much Will the Business Cost?

How much the right of control will cost depends on how much ownership stake is required. The value of the property of the business may add to the price as well. There are specific laws in Massachusetts that dictate procedure for how the right of control of a company can be transferred and modified, and these procedures may make buying the business cheaper or more expensive, depending on a variety of factors.

How Can a Dalton Attorney Help?

There are unique requirements in Massachusetts that a party purchasing a business must fulfill. In Dalton, an attorney knowledgeable in Massachusetts law can inform you about the peculiarities of your investment and outline the cheapest way for you to purchase control.