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.

Purchasing a business occasionally involves laws concerning mergers, acquisitions, negotiations or securities exchanges. These fields are governed by Pennsylvania and Federal 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. In order to protect the interests of all parties, there must be an accurate and complete picture of the financial position of the business. This picture of the company's financials is acquired through a process known as "due diligence". 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 process of due diligence dutifully is the best way to inform oneself for whether to purchase 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 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 Pennsylvania. Procedures may make buying a business more or less expensive than simply the market value of its assets.

How Can a West York Attorney Help?

There are unique requirements in Pennsylvania that a party purchasing a business must fulfill. In West York, 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.