Buying a Business in North Carolina

Purchasing a business can be a worthwhile investment, but whether it is purchased by an individual or another company, the transaction is complicated.

Purchasing a business occasionally involves laws concerning mergers, acquisitions, negotiations or securities exchanges. These fields are governed by North Carolina and Federal law.

What Parts of the Business Am I Buying?

When someone purchases a business in Wake County, 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. Accordingly, the party purchasing a business will want a complete picture of the financial position of the business. Through a process called "due diligence", the financials of the company are disclosed. In the process of due diligence, Federal and North Carolina guidelines are used to inform both parties. If there is a violation from these guidelines, one party may be held legally accountable. Following the procedure of due diligence faithfully, however, leads to a better informed decision about the purchase of the business. It can also help the ownership transfer to go more smoothly.

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

How Can a Wake County Attorney Help?

The laws in North Carolina place many unique demands on parties seeking to purchase businesses. An attorney in Wake County, North Carolina 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.