The Complete Guide to Selling a Business [Paperback]

Fred S. Steingold (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 20, 2007

A small business owner who wants to sell a business runs into many potentially thorny legal issues. Most important is preparing a sales agreement that covers all the key concerns, from price and payment terms to liability protection and restrictions on future competition. This comprehensive legal guide provides stepbystep advice on preparing a solid sales agreement and other crucial documents, including promissory notes and the assignment of a lease. Legal Guide to Selling a Business covers all aspects of selling a business, including getting the business ready for sale, setting a price, finding good buyers, and preparing and signing a sales agreement.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A comprehensive look at a complex issue made understandable -- a vital business resource. (Glen A. Ross, CPA, CVA Ross Valuation Group 20080207)

"A comprehensive look at a complex issue made understandable -- a vital business resource." (Glen A. Ross,CPA & CVA, Ross Valuation Group 20070207)

This accessibly written guide for owners of small to mid-sized businesses explains the steps for marketing and selling a business. (Reference & Research Book News 20090101)

This accessibly written guide for owners of small to mid-sized businesses explains the steps for marketing and selling a business. (Reference & Research Book News )

About the Author

Attorney Fred S. Steingold practices law in Ann Arbor, Michigan. An expert on small business law, he represents and advises many small businesses. He is the author of Legal Guide for Starting & Running a Small Business and The Employer's Legal Handbook. His monthly column, "The Legal Advisor," is carried by trade publications across the country.

Product Details

• Paperback: 496 pages
• Publisher: Nolo; 3rd edition (October 20, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 141330706X
• ISBN-13: 978-1413307061
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #136,429 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Attorney Fred S. Steingold practices law in Ann Arbor, Michigan. An expert on small business law, he represents and advises many small businesses. He is the author of Legal Guide for Starting & Running a Small Business and The Employer's Legal Handbook. His monthly column, "The Legal Advisor," is carried by trade publications across the country.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Nuts and Bolts Guide, September 1, 2006

By 

W. Daniel Doran "M&A Guy" (New York, New York) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Complete Guide to Selling a Business - With CD ROM (Paperback)

This is an excellent nuts and bolts, basic guide for selling a small company. Fred does a solid job of walking through the basics. The book is geared more towards the "technical" aspects of selling a business - ie contracts, forms, etc etc. Overall, good back ground book.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great reference for any business owner, October 29, 2008

By 

Stephanie George (Gainesville, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Complete Guide to Selling a Business (Paperback)

I have an earlier version of this book and absolutely swear by it. I turned to this book originally because the attorney I hired to write the contracts did a terrible job understanding what we wanted. I ended up selling my business using the contract templates included in the book as well as many of the checklists.

I'm not a lawyer and I easily understood everything that went into our contracts. In fact, the buyers of our business were impressed that we did all the paperwork ourselves and their attorney approved all of the contracts. Personally, I don't think I would ever take the "DIY" route again - but I know what it takes now!

I don't recommend selling (or buying) a business without an attorney or CPA. However, read this book first and you will have a much more informed conversation about what you do and don't want in your contracts when you do go to your attorney and CPA. Use the information from this book to help you interview and hire the right professionals to assist you.

I keep this book on my shelf as a great reference and have recommended it to many clients. I refer to this occasionally when a client needs to design their exit strategy.

The price of this book is well worth it. Consider it the pre-requisite education you need before spending hundreds (or thousands!) of dollars being educated by a lawyer!

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent book, January 10, 2012

By 

GreatROI - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Complete Guide to Selling a Business (Paperback)

Secretly, I don't want my business broker competitors knowing about this book. I believe that Mr. Steingold has written a truly must read for anyone, in any capacity, even thinking about buying or selling a business. Yes, buyers too will gain tremendous value from learning about the components of business ownership transfer, and how these components are interrelated. No, I'm not a compensated endorser. It's, for me, a great and well organized book.