Buying a Business in Ohio

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

There are particular laws in Ohio 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 Lexington 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. 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 acquires this understanding. Through due diligence, federal and Ohio guidelines are used to inform both parties, and there may be legal consequences for not following these guidelines properly. However, the best informed decision about whether to buy the business can only be obtained through obedience to the due diligence process. Added benefits also include a smoother transition once the business is bought.

How Much Will the Business Cost?

How much the right of control will cost depends on how much ownership stake is required. The value of the property of the business might add to the price as well. The procedure for how the right of control can be transferred or modified is defined by particular laws in Ohio. Procedures may make buying a business more or less expensive than simply the market value of its assets.

How Can a Lexington Attorney Help?

The laws in Ohio place many unique demands on parties seeking to purchase businesses. An attorney in Lexington, Ohio 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.