sell agreement is a written contract between two or more owners of a business, or among owners of the business and the entity.
Trigger events will determine when your buy-sell agreement will come into play. Common circumstances include the death, disability, retirement or voluntary departure of a partner, but may extend to additional scenarios, such as divorce or individual bankruptcy.
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.
The buy-sell agreement can ensure that the ownership of the company continues on in a manner that is in the best interests of the company and fair to the owners by spelling out what happens under different triggering events.
Generally, they should include the following information: A list of the partners or owners involved and their current equity stakes. A recent business valuation, which is used to place a value on each partner's interest. Events that trigger a buyout, such as death, disability, bankruptcy, or retirement.
While a buy-sell agreement typically addresses the sale of shares among co-owners of a business, a shareholder agreement may address a wider range of issues, including the management and control of the business , the distribution of profits, and the appointment of directors and officers.
These agreements work by first purchasing life insurance policies for each business owner, with the other owner(s) named the beneficiary. If a partner passes away, the surviving owners receive a death benefit to use toward purchasing the deceased owner's stake in the business.
While Shareholder Agreements might touch on provisions related to the transfer of shares or prohibiting transfers, a Buy-Sell Agreement is more specific and effective. It ensures that transitions are handled in a way that aligns with the owners' expectations and the business's financial stability.