Small Business

Buying, selling, or forming a new business is an important step in life, and guidance is crucial.  I strive to help people fulfill their small business legal needs.  Whether it is purchasing or selling a business, proper entity formation, or simply negotiation, I protect your interests and investment.

Choice of an entity is not as simple as it once was.  There are many choices now: sole proprietor, partnership, and corporations – and some of these entities have many sub-categories.  Once the entity is chosen, I prepare the proper entity filing with the state, tax filing with the IRS, and determine if any other licenses are required.

When it comes to buying or selling a business, I can represent your interests through closing, or act as a transaction attorney to facilitate the closing.  It is important to have someone representing you review the contract for sale to make sure you are adequately protected.  When it comes time to close the transaction, I prepare all the necessary closing documents and search the public records for liens or judgments.  Documents that are frequently used include: escrow agreement, closing agreement, bill of sale, non-competition and confidentiality, indemnification, and other affidavits.  If the sale is being financed, typically a security agreement, UCC, and promissory note are used.  I also act as escrow agent when a contract requires deposits be held for the performance of specific actions.

An area often overlooked when starting a business is the various contracts a business owner or officer must sign, especially when it comes to leasing an office, warehouse, or storefront.  Too often people just sign a lease without understanding the liability they may have placed on themselves, or as a landlord, not adequately protecting your property from the future actions or inactions of the tenant.  A realtor who may be brokering the transaction may not adequately protect your interests in purchasing, selling, or leasing a commercial location.  Having an attorney review your various contracts and leases for potential issues can be a wise investment.

Please contact me to see how I can put my experience to work for your small business concerns and investments.

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