Documents for Selling a Business
Full Collection of Sales Documents
Download our entire collection of document templates for selling or buying a business. 30+ files written by lawyers.
Included with our all-inclusive business selling platform is an end-to-end collection of sales documents: contract templates, agreements, form letters, checklists, and presentations. You are free to modify and use the files either online or offline.
Checking the Status
Buy-Sell Agreement Template
A buy-sell agreement, or a buyout agreement, is a common contract between owners of a business. It is used for the sale of an Owner’s shares in a variety of situations: death, retirement, bankruptcy, unresolved conflicts with other owners, etc.
Download View onlineAdvisory and Consulting Agreement Template
An advisory and consulting contract outlines the scope of the work, payment schedules, and deadlines when hiring an independent consultant or advisor. This sample template includes a confidentiality clause, indemnification clause, insurance expectations, as well as other key provisions designed to get the job done and protect you and your business.
Download View onlinePre-Sale Checklist
After you've decided to sell your business, it is important to give attention to the details that support your asking price. This is an organized list of items that are relevant from a potential buyer's standpoint.
Download View onlineCommunication Plan Template
When selling a business, a clear communication plan is essential to control the release of information regarding your sale. Use this letter template to communicate the sale of your business to employees, partners, and other stakeholders.
Download View onlinePreparing for Sale
Business Broker Agreement
This is a complete business broker engagement contract to list a business for sale. The agreement includes the interests of both parties to foster a win-win deal between a business owner and a business brokerage. Use this template to draft your own agreement.
Download View onlineBusiness Valuation Template
This open-source MS Excel worksheet utilizes DCF (Discounted Cash Flow) – a widely accepted method among appraisers to calculate the value of a profitable company. Use this free spreadsheet template to get an idea of how to price your business.
Download View onlineSales Memorandum Template
When selling a business, the sales memorandum is a document that owners prepare to introduce the core values of their company to potential buyers. It is also known as the memorandum of sale.
Download View onlineComplete Due Diligence Checklist
This buying-a-business checklist provides a comprehensive set of terms and conditions that both parties should consider, as well as types of documentation the seller should prepare.
Download View onlineDue Diligence Checklist for Selling-Buying a Sole Proprietorship
The sole proprietorship due diligence checklist serves two purposes: to provide a complete set of possible terms and conditions of the deal, and to show the types of documentation the seller should begin preparing for the review.
Download View onlineDue Diligence Checklist for Selling-Buying a Business
This is a general-purpose checklist of terms and questions that need to be addressed in the course of due diligence; i.e., the process of checking everything before selling-buying a business.
Download View onlineGoing to Market
Business Sale Presentation Template
This is a sample PowerPoint template to help you prepare a presentation for your business sale. It has 7 slides for expressing the key values of the company. Feel free to download it; then update the file and create your very own version.
Download View onlineClosing the Deal
Non-Competition Agreement
The purpose of a business-to-business non-compete, non-solicitation contract is to restrict the seller from entering into a business which will compete with the buyer after the sale for a specified period of time, thus protecting the buyer’s post-closing interests.
Download View onlineNon-Disclosure Agreement Template
When selling or buying a business, use a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) or confidentiality agreement (CA) with buyer prospects to keep control of your proprietary information. It helps you protect your business secrets such as customer data and pricing.
Download View onlineLetter of Intent Template to Buy a Sole Proprietorship
If your intention is to buy a sole-proprietor business, then use this template to write your letter of intent to the seller. This is also known as an offer to purchase a business or proposal to buy a business.
Download View onlineLetter of Intent Template to Buy a Limited Liability Company
When you're negotiating the sale of a Limited Liability Company (LLC), use a letter of intent (proposal). The purpose of this document is to facilitate the start of a deal so that the buyer and seller understand the key business and contractual terms involved.
Download View onlineLetter of Intent Template to Purchase a Business
A letter of intent is provided by the buyer after an initial period of negotiation. This forms the starting point for due diligence, and eventually a legally binding business sale agreement. Use this template to draft your own proposal to purchase a business.
Download View onlineTerm Sheet Template
A term sheet establishes general terms for a buy-sell agreement on a business sale. This is also known as letter of intent, proposal to buy a business or purchase offer.
Download View onlineComplete Term Sheet Template
A term sheet is a nonbinding agreement setting forth the terms and conditions (15) under which a business sale deal will be made. It serves as a template to develop a more detailed and binding legal contract.
Download View onlineBusiness Sale Agreement Template – Sole Proprietorship
When it's time to sell your sole proprietorship or partnership, a business sale agreement sets the terms of the sale, including the purchase price and the closing details. Use this template to draft your own contract.
Download View onlineBusiness Sale Agreement for Selling a LLC
When it's time to sell or transfer the ownership of your Limited Liability Company (LLC), a business sale agreement sets the terms of the deal, such as price, payment terms, and the closing details.
Download View onlineStock Sale Agreement Template
A stock sale agreement defines the terms of a business sale where the transaction involves the shares (stock) of the company. This includes the purchase price, closing details, payment, and other key terms of the transaction.
Download View onlineSale of Business Assets Agreement
What if you want to sell your company's assets but not the entire business as an entity? This is a contract template for the sale of assets, both tangible and intangible, of a company. A non-compete clause is also included.
Download View onlineBusiness Gift Agreement for a Sole Proprietor
This type of agreement is typically used when you would like to turn over control of your [sole proprietor] business to someone else, usually your child or other close family member when you’re ready to retire.
Download View onlineBusiness Gift Agreement (LLC or Corporation)
This business gift agreement is meant for a Limited Liability Company (LLC) or a corporation. It is typically used when you would like to turn over control of your business to someone else.
Download View onlineBusiness Lease Agreement
A business lease agreement with an option to purchase (rent to own) is used when you would like to turn over control of your business to someone else, but aren’t quite ready to go through with a full sale agreement.
Download View onlineAssignment of Lease
When you sell a business, any existing lease for office space, storage, or storefront must also change hands. Use this form to prepare an assignment of lease agreement.
Download View onlineBusiness Seller Financing Agreement
In some cases the buyer of a business may not have all the capital required to pay the full purchase price. An option to solve this problem is seller financing (owner financing). This is a loan the business seller makes to the buyer to facilitate the sale.
Download View onlineSecured Promissory Note
Selling a business with seller financing: the promissory note is the instrument that lays out the exact terms of a loan including security, repayment, interest rate, and penalties.
Download View onlineBill of Sale Template
When closing a business sale, a bill of sale is the document that explicitly transfers ownership of the business assets or shares (stock) and acts as a receipt for the transaction. Use this template to draft your own bill of sale.
Download View onlineAsset Sale Closing Checklist
When closing your business sale, you and the buyer should agree on a closing checklist so you know that all bases are covered. The items on an asset sale checklist will vary on a case-by-case basis.
Download View onlineEntity Sale Closing Checklist
If you’re selling your LLC or corporation as a business entity, you’ll need to transfer the entity to the buyer at closing. Use this master checklist as a foundation to compile your own list for closing.
Download View onlineEmployment Agreement
This is a sample employment agreement that contains all of the important provisions a company or employee might want in their contract. Covered are full-time, part-time, temporary, and seasonal employment types.
Download View onlineThe forms and templates listed above are free to view online. All prices are in U.S. dollars.
Meet the Team
By downloading a single file or the full package, you’ll be able to import our lawyer-drafted templates into the document editor and edit them in a fully-customizable format.
About ZIP files
When you purchase our full package of document templates, it comes in the form of a single, "ZIP" type file. A ZIP file is simply a collection of files that are compressed into a single file for easy transportation.
The easiest way to open a ZIP file is to double-click on it and let your computer show you the files contained inside. In most operating systems, including Windows and Mac OS, ZIP files are handled internally, without the need for any extra software. You can also open a ZIP file on most mobile and tablet devices. iOS users can install iZip for free, and Android users should be able to work with ZIP files via, for example, B1 Archiver or 7Zipper.
Why we use Rich Text Format (RTF)?
When you download a single document template, it comes in RTF format. The Rich Text Format (RTF) is a file format that was developed by Microsoft for cross-platform document interchange.
- RTF is readable across many programs and platforms. All major word processing applications can read RTF. In addition, desktop database applications, e-mail clients, and operating systems (such as Macintosh, Windows, and Unix) can easily open, read, and save RTF files.
- Whether you use Microsoft Word, Apple Pages, or another word processing application, RTF files are easy to use. You can save a document that was originally in RTF, in any other commonly used format such as docx or pages.
- RTF is virus-free by design. If you send an RTF file by e-mail, you can ensure that harmful macros won't be inadvertently sent to others. And because RTF does not contain macros, it cannot hide any unwanted pieces of software code.
How to edit RTF forms after download
Here are some general instructions about modifying and customizing RTF forms/templates in a word processing application.
- Underlines. Underlines indicate where to enter information. After filling in the needed text, delete the underline. In most word processing applications you can do this by highlighting the underlined portion and typing CTRL-U.
- Bracketed and italicized text. Bracketed and italicized text indicates instructions. Be sure to remove all instructional text before you finalize your document.
- Optional text. Optional text gives you the choice to include or exclude text. Delete any optional text you don’t want to use. Renumber numbered items, if necessary.
- Alternative text. Alternative text gives you the choice between two or more text options. Delete those options you don’t want to use. Renumber numbered items, if necessary.
- Signature lines. Signature lines should appear on a page with at least some text from the document itself.
Disclaimer
Document forms and templates available at ExitAdviser have been prepared for informational purposes only and are not intended to provide, nor should be relied upon for legal advice; no attorney-client relationship is established. You should consult your attorney before engaging in any transaction.