Sarasota Business Purchase Dispute Lawyer

Resolving Conflicts for Business Clients in Sarasota, Bradenton, Venice Areas and Beyond

Buying or selling a business can be an exciting matter for participants. For buyers, it can mean the beginning of a new life as a business owner or an expansion of an already existing business operation. For sellers, it can mean a secure retirement or an opportunity to move on to different business or life endeavors. However, business purchases can be extraordinarily complex; you must navigate a maze of legal formalities, financial considerations, and contractual obligations. 

Buyers and sellers strive for beneficial, equitable, and ultimately successful transactions. Yet, the path to achieving this success can be strewn with challenges that can trigger disagreements and disputes that must be resolved lest the transaction fail. 

When confronted with such disputes, a capable lawyer can use their knowledge, experience, and negotiation or litigation skills to solve these conflicts. At Violette Law Firm, our business law and real estate sales experience enables us to effectively manage disputes that can arise over many complicated issues in purchasing a Florida business. 

We understand the time, money, and effort generated on both sides of a business purchase transaction. Our goal is to provide the legal counsel and skills needed to resolve your dispute satisfactorily while protecting your rights and best interests.

Call today at (941) 365-6563 or fill out our online contact form. We offer appointments by phone, in person, or a virtual conversation. 

Overview of Business Purchase Disputes

Many issues can surface during a business purchase, causing disputes between the buyer and seller. 

These can include but are not limited to:

• Valuation disputes: The valuation of a business is one of the most common grounds for disputes during a business purchase. If the parties involved hold divergent views on the company’s worth, it can lead to conflict.
• Asset and liability identification: Determining which assets and liabilities are included in the sale can cause disputes. Clarity and agreement on this matter are crucial to ensure a smooth transaction.
• Financial condition misrepresentation: Where the financial health of the business has been misrepresented, such as in hiding debts, overvaluing assets, or exaggerating revenues, disputes can occur when the actual financial status of the company is revealed.
• Non-Compete clauses: These clauses prevent the seller from starting a similar business within a specified timeframe and geographical area. Disputes can arise if the parties can’t agree on the terms.
• Significant information concealment: If a seller conceals critical information that should have been disclosed, such as pending lawsuits, tax liabilities, or significant contractual obligations, it can lead to conflicts when the buyer becomes aware of these hidden issues.
• Employee transfer: Negotiations over whether employees will remain with the business post-sale can lead to disagreements, particularly if these details aren’t outlined clearly in the purchase agreement.
• Fraud related to past sales or customer base: This can include false inflation of these critical factors to make the business appear more profitable than it is, leading to severe disputes when the truth is told.
• Unfair business practices: Manipulation, unethical competition, or deceptive marketing by the business can lead to disputes. If a buyer discovers these practices after the purchase, it may lead to conflict, especially if these practices could harm the reputation or profitability of the company.
• Non-compliance with purchase agreement terms: This could be a failure to transfer all assets as agreed upon, not meeting the timeline for handover, or any other breach of the purchase agreement.
• Warranty and indemnity claims: Disputes can occur if the buyer discovers other undisclosed issues after the purchase, leading to warranty or indemnity claims against the seller.