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.

Purchasing a business occasionally 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?

The purchase of a business in South Charleston 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. 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". Federal and West Virginia guidelines define the process of due diligence, and occasionally legal consequences arise when these procedures are not followed properly. 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?

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. There are particular laws in West Virginia 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 South Charleston Attorney Help?

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