Buying a Business in Washington
The investing in a business can be the fastest route to a great return. Individuals and companies hoping to buy businesses should be aware of the complications that can arise, however.
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 Washington law.
What Parts of the Business Am I Buying?
The purchase of a business in Bellingham 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 Washington guidelines are used to inform both parties, and there may be legal consequences for not following these guidelines properly. However, obedience to the process of due diligence leads to a better informed decision about purchasing the business. And afterwards, it may also help the ownership transfer to go more smoothly.
How Much Will the Business Cost?
The cost of a business mostly depends on how much ownership stake is required for control. The value of the business property and the type of business are also important factors. The procedure for how the right of control can be transferred or modified is defined by particular laws in Washington. Procedures may make buying a business more or less expensive than simply the market value of its assets.
How Can a Bellingham Attorney Help?
The laws in Washington place many unique demands on parties seeking to purchase businesses. An attorney in Bellingham, Washington 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.