Buying a Business in North Carolina

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

Buying a business sometimes 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 buys a business in Wake Forest, 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 buying 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 deviation from these guidelines, one party may be held legally accountable. Following the process 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 decided somewhat by the value of the business property and the type of business. The process for how the right of control can be transferred or modified is defined by specific 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 Forest Attorney Help?

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