sell agreement provides a plan for the orderly transfer of any owner's business interest. Consider a buysell agreement for your business if: You have two or more owners. You want to provide protection in the event of any owner's termination of employment, retirement, divorce, disability, or death.
Below are four critical topics you and your lawyer should consider when drafting your company's buy-sell agreement. Identify the Parties Involved. Agree on the Trigger Events. Agree on a Valuation Method. Set Realistic Expectations and Frequently Review the Agreement Terms. About the Author.
What should be included in a buy-sell agreement? Any stakeholders, including partners or owners, and their current stake in the business' equity. Events that would trigger a buyout, such as death, disability, divorce, retirement, or bankruptcy. A recent business valuation.
Buy-sell agreements are commonly used by sole proprietors, closed corporations and partnerships. Most buy-sells require that the business shares be sold back to the company or the remaining members of the business. In the case of the death of a partner, the estate must agree to sell.
The buy-sell agreement prevents an owner from selling their interests to an outsider without the consent of the other owners. It also provides an orderly and equitable method of determining the value of each owner's interest in the business.
Using life insurance with a buy-sell agreement Life insurance is used to fund buy-sell agreements should an owner pass away. Each business owner must take out a life insurance policy with the other members or the company as the beneficiary.
To write a simple contract, title it clearly, identify all parties and specify terms (services or payments). Include an offer, acceptance, consideration, and intent. Add a signature and date for enforceability. Written contracts reduce disputes and offer better legal security than verbal ones.