Buying or Selling a Business
Buy or Sell Your Business with Professional Business Sale Agreements, Contracts and Checklists

Buying or selling a business is one of the most significant financial decisions most entrepreneurs will ever make. Whether you are purchasing an established company, selling a family business, transferring ownership to a partner, or acquiring the assets of an existing enterprise, having the right legal documents is essential.
Our professionally drafted business sale agreements, contracts, forms and checklists help buyers and sellers organize the transaction, document their intentions, and protect their interests throughout the process.
All templates are downloadable, fully editable, affordable, and designed for practical business use.
Business Sale Documents for Buyers and Sellers
Every business transaction is different. Some involve the sale of shares in a corporation, while others involve only the sale of business assets such as equipment, inventory, intellectual property, customer lists, or goodwill.
Our collection includes legal templates that can assist with many stages of a business purchase or sale, including:
- Business purchase and sale agreements
- Asset purchase agreements
- Letters of intent
- Confidentiality (Non-Disclosure) Agreements
- Due diligence checklists
- Bills of sale
- Assignments and transfer documents
- Non-competition and non-solicitation agreements
- Corporate resolutions and related business documents
These professionally prepared templates can save considerable time while helping you prepare well-organized documentation for your transaction.
Buying a Business: Look Beyond the Financial Statements
When evaluating a business, the assets shown on the balance sheet are only part of the picture.
An established business often derives much of its value from assets that cannot easily be measured, including:
- Customer loyalty
- Brand recognition
- Goodwill
- Reputation within the community
- Supplier relationships
- Employee experience and expertise
- Established operating systems
- Intellectual property
- Corporate culture
A successful acquisition depends not only on purchasing these assets, but also on maintaining and strengthening them after the transaction closes.
Prospective buyers should conduct thorough due diligence before completing any purchase and ensure they fully understand both the opportunities and the risks associated with the business.
Selling Your Business Successfully
For many owners, selling a business represents years—or even decades—of hard work.
A successful sale is about more than negotiating the purchase price. It also involves presenting the business professionally, preparing accurate documentation, protecting confidential information, and ensuring a smooth transition for customers, employees, suppliers, and other stakeholders.
Many sellers also want reassurance that the purchaser intends to preserve the reputation, values, and relationships that have contributed to the business's success.
Proper legal documentation helps provide certainty for both parties and reduces the likelihood of misunderstandings after closing.
Why Use Professionally Drafted Business Sale Templates?
Our legal templates are designed to help business owners prepare clear, practical documentation without the cost of having every document drafted from scratch.
Benefits include:
- Immediate digital download
- Fully editable Microsoft Word templates
- Professionally written legal forms
- Affordable one-time purchase—no subscription required
- Reusable for future transactions where appropriate
- Suitable for a wide range of business transactions
Every transaction is unique, and professional legal and accounting advice should always be obtained where appropriate, particularly for larger or more complex acquisitions.
Why Choose Our Legal Templates?
Our legal documents are professionally drafted by experienced legal practitioners—not generated by AI.
Every template is written in plain English, fully editable, and designed for practical business use. Many documents are periodically updated to reflect changes in applicable legislation, business practices, privacy requirements, electronic commerce, and emerging technologies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What documents are needed to buy or sell a business?
The required documents depend on the structure of the transaction. Common documents include a purchase and sale agreement, confidentiality agreement, letter of intent, due diligence checklist, bill of sale, assignments, corporate resolutions, and other supporting documents.
What is the difference between an asset sale and a share sale?
In an asset sale, specific business assets are transferred to the purchaser. In a share sale, ownership of the business corporation itself changes hands through the transfer of shares. Each structure has different legal and tax implications.
Should I conduct due diligence before buying a business?
Yes. The importance of a due diligence review cannot be emphasized strongly enough. Due diligence allows a purchaser to verify the financial condition, legal obligations, contracts, licences, liabilities, and overall health of the business before completing the purchase.
Do I need a lawyer to buy or sell a business?
Many smaller transactions can begin using professionally prepared legal templates, but independent legal and accounting advice is strongly recommended before completing any business acquisition or sale.
Additional Resources
To help you make informed decisions before buying or selling a business, we recommend these practical guides:
16 Questions to Ask Before Buying a Business – Learn how to evaluate a business before committing to a purchase.
The Pros and Cons of Buying a Franchise – Understand whether purchasing a franchise is the right business opportunity for you.
Using a Broker to Help You Sell Your Business – Discover when a business broker may add value during the sale process.
Your Business Exit Strategy – Guidance on planning the sale or succession of your business.
Share Purchase Agreement | UK
Transfer all of the outstanding shares of a U.K. private limited company to another company with this Share Purchase Agreement.
- Waiver of Rights. All pre-emption rights over the shares will be waived.
- Responsibility for Costs. The purchaser agrees to pay all reasonable costs and expenses related to the purchase of the shares, up to a specified amount. The vendor is responsible for paying all costs which exceed that maximum.
- Specific Performance. Each party is entitled to enforce specific performance.
- Representations and Warranties. Each party provides the standard representations and warranties with respect to corporate standing, authority to enter into the agreement, no conflict with laws or charter documents, and no claims pending or threatened.
- Legal Jurisdiction. This downloadable agreement template is intended for use only by companies formed within the United Kingdom.
- Format of Template. This Share Purchase Agreement is available in MS Word format and is fully editable to meet your exact needs.
Stock Purchase Agreement | USA
Buy up all of the shares of stock of a US company with this USA Stock Purchase Agreement.
- Part of the purchase price will be held in escrow until the buyer conducts a review all of the company's books and records. If the review is unsatisfactory and the buyer decides not to proceed with the purchase, all deposits paid will be returned and neither party will have any further obligation or liability.
- Each party provides standard representations and warranties.
- Both parties warrant that there will be no fees or commissions owing with respect to the transaction.
- Each party covenants to indemnify the other against claims or damages resulting from that party's misrepresentation or its failure to honor its obligations under the Agreement.
- Each party will pay its own expenses incurred with respect to the transaction.
- Available in MS Word format.
- Governed by U.S. laws and intended to be used only in the United States.
Tennessee Asset Purchase and Sale Agreement
Sell your business and transfer ownership of the business assets to a buyer under the terms of this Tennessee Asset Purchase and Sale Agreement.
- The buyer agrees to purchase all inventory, equipment, supplies, improvements, fixtures, goodwill, accounts receivable, tangible and intangible assets of the business.
- The buyer will assume certain liabilities and indemnifies the seller against claims relating to those liabilities. The seller indemnifies the buyer with respect to any debts or obligations not being assumed.
- The purchase price includes a stated value of inventory. If the actual value is greater or less than this value, the purchase price will be adjusted accordingly. The parties agree to jointly take inventory prior to closing.
- The seller agrees to train the buyer's employees for a specified period of time after closing, at no additional cost.
- The business premises lease will be assigned to the buyer.
This Tennessee Asset Purchase and Sale Agreement is ideal for transactions which do not involve a broker. It includes standard form language and provisions and is easy to customize.
Third Party Consent Clause for Asset Purchase Agreement
Add this clause to an Asset Purchase Agreement if the consent of a third party is required before the assets can be assigned.
- This clause would be used in circumstances where a lender or other third party has an interest in the assets being purchased.
- The file is available in MS Word format.
- This is a generic clause which does not contain references to any specific laws or jurisdictions.
UK Sale of Business Agreement
The sale of a business requires a lot of documentation. Sell your business as a going concern with this template Sale of Business Agreement for UK companies.
- The assets being sold include the plant and machinery, business property, intellectual property, any software developed for the business, goodwill, information and records, and the benefit of all existing contracts.
- The consideration paid for the business will be a specified sale price, together with the discharge of the seller's debt obligations to the business' bank, and a number of shares in the purchaser or a subsidiary company owned by the purchaser.
- The parties intend that the transfer of the business fall under Article 5 of the Value Added Tax (Special Provisions) Order 1995.
- The purchaser will take over all employee contracts effective as of the date of completion.
- The seller agrees to non-competition and non-solicitation provisions for a specified period of time following the transaction.
- The agreement is governed by English law and can be used throughout the United Kingdom.
Preparing your own paperwork can save you a lot of money on solicitors' fees. Download this fully customisable UK Sale of Business Agreement.
USA Affidavit of Purchaser of Business Assets
When buying a business in the United States, you will be required to provide this USA Affidavit of Purchaser to the seller.
- The buyer confirms that it will take over the seller's lease on the business premises (if applicable), that it has inspected all equipment and has a complete list of all inventory and assets being purchased.
- The buyer waives compliance with State bulk sales law and will rely on the rights of set-off and indemnification in the purchase and sale documents.
Buy and download the USA Affidavit of Purchaser of Business Assets, print it and sign it in front of a notary.
Using a Broker to Help You Sell Your Business
Should you attempt to sell your business yourself or use a broker? This expert guide discusses the benefits of using a broker or intermediary to sell it for you.
Whether you decide to use a licensed business broker, a lawyer or an accountant experienced in buying and selling privately-owned businesses, there is a lot they can bring to the process. The guide covers a range of topics including:
- retaining an intermediary,
- how commissions are determined,
- completing a business review,
- provisions of the listing agreement,
- preparing and implementing a marketing plan,
- negotiating the deal,
- due diligence and the definitive agreement,
- closing the sale,
- licensed brokers vs. unlicensed intermediaries.
You know your business. But do you know how to sell it? Using a Broker to Help You Sell Your Business can help you decide if an intermediary is right for you.
Victoria Contract for Sale of Business
Prepare a contract for the sale of a business with this easy downloadable template for the State of Victoria.
- The Contract is subject to a 3-day cooling off period during which the Contract may be canceled if the purchaser does not receive independent legal advice or if a similar contract has been entered into between the parties.
- The Contract is also conditional upon the purchaser obtaining sufficient financing to complete the purchase.
- The vendor will transfer the existing lease or negotiate a new lease for the premises, and obtain approvals as required from the landlord and any mortgagee.
- If the parties are unable to agree on the value of the stock, they will submit the determination to an independent stocktaker.
- If the purchaser defaults in payment, the vendor may immediately sue for the unpaid amount.
- If a dispute arises, neither party is at liberty to commence legal proceedings until the parties have attempted to resolve the dispute through mediation.
- Available in MS Word format.
- Intended to be used only in the State of Victoria, Australia.
Victoria Statement by a Vendor of a Small Business
A seller of a business in the State of Victoria must provide the purchaser with this Statement by a Vendor of a Small Business, under Section 52 of the Estate Agents Act 1980.
- A small business is defined as one in which all of the goodwill, plant, equipment and fittings being sold have a total price of $350,000 or less.
- This is Form 2, Regulation 7, Estate Agents (General, Accounts and Audit) Regulations 2008.
- This is a free downloadable form in MS Word format, provided by the Government of Victoria.
Bill of Sale for Business Assets | Canada
If you're selling a business in Canada, this Bill of Sale form is essential to transfer ownership of the assets to the buyer.
The form is not only a bill of sale, it's also a conveyancing form that transfers, conveys and assigns title to the business assets (such as equipment, vehicles, inventory, trade marks, etc) to the purchaser.
Power of Attorney
With this form, you can also appoint the purchaser as your attorney to demand, receive, give receipts for and deal with the assets being transferred.
Format and Jurisdiction
This downloadable Bill of Sale form is available in MS Word format and is fully editable. It is intended to be used only in Canada.
