Connecticut is the 24th most business-friendly and technologically innovative state in the United States of America. So, if you’re thinking of setting up or expanding your business in the state, you’re on the right path. However, that doesn’t mean you can go into business in Connecticut without many deliberations and expert advice. Quality consultations with an experienced Connecticut business attorney will make the process much more seamless.
Like you would inspect any product before purchasing it, you must also check a new business before acquiring it. In legal parlance, it’s called due diligence. Due diligence is also necessary when you wish to enter into a partnership or execute a vital contract.
Regardless of how business-friendly Connecticut is, running an enterprise without due diligence is a risk not worth taking. Here, we’ll detail all you need to know about due diligence in your business. Most importantly, you’ll understand how hiring a Connecticut business lawyer is central to the process.
What Does Legal and Commercial Due Diligence Mean?
In simple terms, due diligence means investigating/examining a business or transaction you’re interested in. There are various aspects of due diligence, but we’ll discuss legal and commercial diligence in this article:
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Legal Due Diligence
Legal due diligence involves accessing the legal risks and issues in a business transaction. One of the essential aspects of due diligence is verifying the ownership of the business and its assets. It also identifies present and potential legal risks that the buyer may inherit alongside the company.
To that end, legal due diligence requires asking questions that verify any employment disputes or pending litigation. Doing legal due diligence ensures that you’re buying real value and not a liability.
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Commercial Due Diligence
Commercial due diligence focuses on the profitability of the enterprise you’re about to acquire. It’s also called market due diligence and reviews the businesses’ commercial health and attractiveness.
A thoroughly conducted commercial due diligence will expose the businesses’ market risks and growth potential. It will evaluate the businesses’ market conditions, competitors, and the market value of the enterprise’s goods and services.
The Importance of Due Diligence
Due diligence is a vital part of a business acquisition and merger for the following reasons:
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Aids Better Understanding of the Organization You’re Dealing With
Due diligence helps you to avoid unpleasant surprises and unnecessary risks. It does this by allowing you to understand what you’re getting into from the get-go fully.
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Enables You to Make a Proper Offer
After conducting due diligence, you’re in an excellent position to assess the actual value of the enterprise you’re buying.
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Allows a Solid Contract Draft
Due diligence exposes specific shortcomings of the business. It can help you to include relevant terms that will protect you from such drawbacks in the contract.
How to Conduct Due Diligence When Acquiring a New Business in Connecticut
All due diligence processes fall under these three broad subheads:
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Planning
The first step to conducting due diligence is planning and preparation. Here, you define your goals and objectives and set a system to accomplish them.
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Investigation
This is the most tasking part of the process. It involves examining documents, conducting searches, and every other activity that helps you get the information you need.
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Review
Here, you form an opinion based on your investigation and make your decision on it.
Are There Any Disadvantages to Conducting Due Diligence?
Due diligence is necessary for business growth and risk management. However, it’s not without its demerits. One of the primary disadvantages to carrying out due diligence is the complex process it entails. It can also take a lot of time before you finalize your due diligence.
Due diligence isn’t a pleasant experience for business owners or sellers either. During the rigorous process, business owners can get distracted from running their enterprises. They may have to neglect vital aspects of their businesses to meet the buyer’s demands.
However, you can make the process much easier and less distracting by hiring experts to handle it. The best business lawyers can develop an effective system to complete due diligence as seamlessly and stress-free as possible.
Consult With a Connecticut Business Lawyer Right Now!
It’s impossible to underplay the importance of due diligence when administering a business in Connecticut. However, the process is challenging, and you may never fully understand how to go about it yourself. As such, you’ll need help from a seasoned business attorney in Connecticut to do a thorough job.
Fortunately, you can contact our business lawyers at Aeton Law Partners to handle due diligence for you. That way, you’ll be 100% satisfied having the best experienced legal professionals on your case. Contact us now.