Buying a Business in Missouri

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

There are particular 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 Cape Girardeau is actually the purchasing 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 purchaser to make his decision. This picture is acquired 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 purchase 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?

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. There are particular 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 Cape Girardeau Attorney Help?

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