Buying a Business in Michigan

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

Federal and Michigan 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?

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. The process of due diligence uses Federal and Michigan guidelines to protect both parties. If these guidelines are not followed, a party may be found in breach of a legal duty. 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?

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. The process for how the right of control can be transferred or modified is defined by specific laws in Michigan. Procedures may make buying a business more or less expensive than simply the market value of its assets.

How Can a Benton Harbor Attorney Help?

The laws in Michigan place many unique demands on parties seeking to purchase businesses. An attorney in Benton Harbor, Michigan 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.