A start-up or other small business can be a source of pride for a Tennessee resident. They may pour their blood, sweat and tears into their enterprise to make it successful and may endure personal sacrifices along the way to ensure its continuing viability. While some businesses close within their first few months or years, others withstand the test of time and push into the future.
Closing and staying open are not always the only options businesses have for their futures, though. They may find that other entities are interested in joining with or acquiring them, and this can lead to the business’s merger with another. This post will provide very general information about what happens when businesses merge, but as with all complex business law issues readers are advised to seek their own advice regarding their own legal needs.
There are different ways that two businesses can join together in a merger. One may purchase the other, and this may be referred to as an acquisition. Or, the businesses may decide to simply pool their resources together and to operate as a new entity separate and apart from their former corporate identities.
Ensuring that a business is properly closed and that its new identity as part of a merged organization is recognized can be complicated and time intensive. Many business owners who want to complete the merger process choose to find legal advisors to help them. Because problems can develop during the merger process that could threaten a business’s future chances of success, many opt not to put their livelihoods on the line and allow legal professionals to manage their important business law needs.