What Is an Asset Purchase Agreement?

Where You Need a Lawyer:

(This may not be the same place you live)

At No Cost! 

 What is a Purchase Agreement?

Purchase agreements are legally binding contracts between purchasers and sellers. These are legal documents which outline the different terms and conditions which are related to the sale of goods.

In some cases, purchase agreements are referred to as purchase and sale agreements. A purchase agreement is typically used for the sale and purchase of goods and not for services.

An agreement for services is typically known as a service agreement.

What are Purchase Agreements Used for?

There are numerous different types of purchase agreements. A purchase agreement may be used for a transaction for the sale or purchase of almost any type of good.

In many cases, a purchase agreement is used in cases where the goods being sold are valued over $500.00. However, a purchase agreement may be used for goods of any amount.

The majority of purchase agreements are used to create duties for the parties to an agreement, called the buyer and the seller. A purchase agreement may require a seller to sell a certain item at a specific price.

A purchase agreement may also require the seller to deliver an item at a specific date and time. The majority of purchase agreements place requirements on the purchaser as well.

These may include requirements to pay full price for the item. The agreement may also include a requirement to accept the delivery of the goods.

In some cases, a purchase agreement may include a mutual requirement for a buyer and a seller to only deal with each other. For example, an agreement may require that the buyer promises to only purchase the goods from that seller who will sell them the goods at a fixed price.

There are also some agreements that may contain terms for future dealings between buyers and sellers. A purchase agreement is commonly used in real estate for the sale of a home or other type of property.

A purchase agreement for a real estate transaction is often a complex document. These types of agreements are typically created following a negotiation process as a means of finalizing the terms of the sale.

A purchase agreement is also commonly used in the telecommunications industry. One example is when a consumer purchases a communications package, known as a volume purchase agreement.

What is Included in a Purchase Agreement?

Purchase agreements should include any and all information which is relevant to the transaction. Well-written purchase agreements should include all of the details that are necessary to avoid any future misunderstandings related to any part of the transaction.

Purchase agreements may include:

  • Information about the buyer and the seller including:
    • names;
    • phone numbers; and
    • addresses;
  • Contact information of any witness or co-singer;
  • The products or goods involved;
  • The type of sale;
  • The quantities and prices of the goods;
  • The agreement date;
  • The duration of the agreement;
  • The terms of shipping and delivery;
  • The dates for fulfillment of any requirements or conditions;
  • Whether or not the agreement can be revised or amended; and
  • Whether litigation is an option if a dispute arises.

A purchase agreement is often much more complex than an invoice or a purchase receipt, or a bill of sale. A purchase agreement usually provides the requirements each party must fulfill for the sale to be completed.

What are Absolute Versus Conditional Purchase Agreements?

There are some differences between an absolute purchase agreement and a conditional purchase agreement. Absolute purchase agreements are very similar to receipts.

They do not contain any conditions or restrictions to be placed on a buyer. The absolute purchase agreement only states the basic terms of the transaction.

Absolute purchase agreements are used for record keeping. They are used when a product needs to be returned.

Conditional purchase agreements typically cover security deposits as well as the securing of loans. These types of agreements allow a seller to take possession of an item or a piece of property that is used for securing the loan in the event that a buyer does not make the required payments.

For example, when a home is foreclosed upon because the mortgage was not paid. A dispute that involves both an absolute and conditional purchase agreement may result in a lawsuit.

In the majority of cases, the legal remedy is a damages award. A damages award is intended to reimburse the non-violating party for the economic losses that they may have suffered.

What is an Asset Purchase Agreement?

Asset purchase agreements are legal documents that regulate transactions that involve the sale and transfer of assets. These agreements typically cover terms including:

  • Sales prices;
  • Descriptions of the assets to be sold;
  • The date and the time of the purchase; and
  • The parties involved.

They may also cover more specific information, including:

  • The methods of the payments;
  • The timing of the payments;
  • Interest rates; and
  • Other figures.

An asset purchase agreement is often drafted towards the end of the negotiation stage. This allows the parties to have a final record of their agreement.

The asset purchase agreement essentially operates as a contract. This means it creates legally binding duties on each of the parties involved.

What do Asset Purchase Agreements Apply to?

An asset purchase agreement generally applies to business assets, including:

  • Stocks and other securities;
  • Shares of companies;
  • Business property; and
  • Various other tangible and intangible assets.

Asset purchase agreements typically do not apply to exchange of services or an asset that is not yet in existence. In certain cases, an asset purchase agreement may cover a wide range of assets, especially in a deal that involves a mixture, or a package deal, of assets.

Can Purchase Agreements be Modified?

In general, a purchase agreement is final once it is accepted and signed by both of the parties, similar to any type of contract. Purchase agreements, however, may sometimes contain provisions that allow the parties to make modifications to the agreements in the future.

An example of this would be when a contract is a recurring contract, for example, if the parties deal with each other on an annual basis. In these cases, it may be necessary to modify or amend the contract if new factors arise in relation to the assets which are being sold.

A court may, in some cases, modify a purchase agreement if it believes it is necessary to resolve a legal dispute between the parties. One common example of this is when there is a vague or ambiguous term in the asset purchase agreement.

Should I Hire a Lawyer for Help with an Asset Purchase Agreement?

In general, the purchase of an asset should be accompanied by a written asset purchase agreement so that the parties have a record of the transaction. It may be helpful to consult with a commercial lawyer if you need assistance negotiating, drafting, or editing a purchase agreement.

Your lawyer will be able to provide you with legal advice on how to complete the process. If you have already created an asset purchase agreement, your lawyer can assist you with reviewing and editing the document to ensure it contains all of the necessary provisions.

In addition, your attorney can represent you in court if you need to file a lawsuit or file a petition with the court.

Save Time and Money - Speak With a Lawyer Right Away

  • Buy one 30-minute consultation call or subscribe for unlimited calls
  • Subscription includes access to unlimited consultation calls at a reduced price
  • Receive quick expert feedback or review your DIY legal documents
  • Have peace of mind without a long wait or industry standard retainer
  • Get the right guidance - Schedule a call with a lawyer today!
star-badge.png

16 people have successfully posted their cases

Find a Lawyer