Buying a Business in West Virginia

The investing in a business can be the shortest route to a great return. Individuals and companies seeking to buy businesses should be aware of the complications that can arise, however.

Buying a business sometimes involves laws concerning mergers, acquisitions, negotiations or securities exchanges. These fields are governed by West Virginia and Federal law.

What Parts of the Business Am I Buying?

A buyer of a business in Beckley gains a right called "control", which is the right to direct the business operations as they see fit. Control involves ownership of the business assets and customers, along with 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 gained through a process known as "due diligence". Federal and West Virginia guidelines define the process of due diligence, and sometimes legal consequences arise when these procedures are not followed properly. Following the process 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?

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

How Can a Beckley Attorney Help?

The laws in West Virginia place many unique demands on parties seeking to purchase businesses. An attorney in Beckley, West Virginia 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.