After years of work in a business, it can be quite profitable to sell it. Being acquired by a larger company is something that many hope for. The sale can be complicated, however. There are Federal and North Carolina laws concerning mergers, acquisitions, negotiations and securities exchanges that must be followed.

How Do I Sell a Business?

The initial step in selling a Nashville business is soliciting an offer. A purchase agent can help you find prospective buyers, as well as advise you concerning whether offers that you receive are worth consideration. Preparing financial records to comply with North Carolina and Federal law is crucial and will help determine the proper value for the rights you are selling. As a final step, an agreement for the purchase will be reached, typically in the form of a written contract. It should be reviewed by all parties to ensure that what was agreed upon is accurately presented.

What Will I Give Up in the Business?

The sale of a business is simply the transfer of a right known as "control". The party with control of a business directs its operations and may use the business property as it sees fit. The buyer of a business in Nashville may be interested only in control of the business, and other rights within the company may not be as important. Buyers are typically looking for the cheapest route to control, and this may allow the seller to retain other rights such as the right to future earnings. These particularities make negotiations essential, during which each party should use the opportunity to voice their intentions and concerns.

How Can an Attorney Help?

The law in North Carolina places certain demands on parties who want to sell a business. Lawyers in Nashville are qualified to advise you in this process and ensure that the sale is in compliance with the law.