Buying a Business in New York

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

Federal and New York law concerning mergers, acquisitions, negotiations and securities exchange sometimes come into play during the purchase of a business

What Parts of the Business Am I Buying?

If a party wants to direct business operations, the best way is to acquire a right called "control". With control of a business, the party acquires all assets and the customer base of the business, plus it also assumed the company's debts. To balance the positives and negatives, the party buying a business must get a complete picture of the financial position of the business. Through a process called "due diligence", a buyer gains this understanding. Through due diligence, federal and New York 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?

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. There are specific laws in New York 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 Erie County Attorney Help?

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