Business Purchase and Sale (M&A)
Buying or selling a business is a major step—for your finances, your future, and the people who depend on you. Whether you are purchasing your first business, expanding an established company, or preparing to move on from a business you have built, careful legal planning can help you move forward with confidence.
Our firm works with business owners to understand their goals, address potential problems, and put clear agreements in place. We offer practical advice and personal attention, with an appreciation for the role local businesses play in our community.
With experience in 100+ sales ranging from a mid-five figure laundromat purchase to a mid-eight figure professional firm sale to private equity, the attorneys at Jacobsen Law Firm, P.A. have you covered.
Guidance from the first conversation through closing
Every transaction has its own priorities. A buyer may need to understand exactly what is included in the purchase and which obligations will come with it. A seller may want to protect the purchase price, limit continuing responsibilities, and plan for a smooth transition.
We help clients with matters such as:
- Planning the transaction: Evaluating the legal considerations of an asset purchase or an ownership interest purchase.
- Letters of intent: Establishing proposed terms and identifying provisions that may be binding before a final agreement is signed.
- Due diligence: Reviewing contracts, leases, ownership records, and other legal information to identify issues that could affect the deal.
- Purchase agreements: Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating terms governing payment, liabilities, closing conditions, and responsibilities after closing.
- Transition arrangements: Addressing seller financing, training, consulting, and other terms that support the transfer of the business.
- Closing: Preparing and reviewing the documents needed to complete the transaction.
We also work with your accountant, lender, broker, and other advisers so the legal work supports the broader transaction.
For buyers: understand what you are taking on
A business purchase involves more than agreeing on a price. Existing contracts, lease terms, employee matters, licenses, and outstanding obligations can all affect what you are buying and how you will operate after closing.
We help you ask the right questions, assess the legal risks, and negotiate protections that reflect the business and your plans for it.
For sellers: protect what you have built
Selling a business can be both a financial decision and a personal milestone. Clear terms matter—especially when part of the purchase price will be paid over time or you will remain involved after the sale.
We help you understand your commitments, negotiate payment and transition terms, and address obligations that could continue after closing.
Practical advice. Personal attention.
You should understand the agreements you sign and the decisions you are making. We explain legal issues in plain language, keep your priorities in view, and help you distinguish concerns that need attention from matters that can be resolved practically.
Our approach reflects the needs of a small business owner: responsive communication, thoughtful preparation, and advice grounded in the realities of running a business.
Let’s talk about your next step
If you are considering buying or selling a business, getting legal advice early can help you establish clear terms and avoid preventable complications.
Contact our office to discuss your plans and how we can help.