Buying a Business in Missouri

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

There are specific laws in Missouri and the US that concern negotiations, mergers, acquisitions and securities exchanges. You may need to consider how these laws impact your situation before you buy a business.

What Parts of the Business Am I Buying?

The purchase of a business in California is actually the buying of a right called "control". With this right, a party can direct business operations as it sees fit, it acquires ownership of business assets, and it assumes liability for all business debts. A complete picture of the financial position of the business is important for the buyer to make his decision. This picture is gained through a process called "due diligence". Through due diligence, federal and Missouri guidelines are used to inform both parties, and there may be legal consequences for not following these guidelines properly. 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 Missouri 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 California Attorney Help?

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