Buying a Business in Pennsylvania

Purchasing a business can yield great profits in the future. However, individuals and companies hoping to buy businesses should be aware of the complications of the transaction.

Particular regulations concerning mergers, acquisitions, negotiations or securities exchanges may be implicated when you buy a business. These areas are all governed by Federal and Pennsylvania law.

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 gains all assets and the customer base of the business, plus it also assumed the company's debts. To make his decision, a purchaser will want a complete picture of the financial position of the business. Through a process called "due diligence", a company's financials become clear. In the process of due diligence, Federal and Pennsylvania 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. There are particular laws in Pennsylvania 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 Elizabethtown Attorney Help?

There are unique requirements in Pennsylvania that a party purchasing a business must fulfill. In Elizabethtown, an attorney experienced in Pennsylvania law can inform you about the peculiarities of your investment and outline the cheapest way for you to purchase control.