Home Legal Chats Corporate I purchased a business under a stock sale agreement. It should have not been titled a stock agreement sale. Would it be possible to change to a goodwill sale?

I purchased a business under a stock sale agreement. It should have not been titled a stock agreement sale. Would it be possible to change to a goodwill sale?

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Dolan W.
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10 Yrs Experience
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Customer:
Asked on Feb 25, 2025

I purchased a business under a stock sale agreement. It should have not been titled a stock agreement sale. Would it be possible to change to a goodwill sale?

I need to know if I can make amendment to original contract to make it a goodwill sales agreement.

Lawyer Dolan W.
5.0 (313)
Lawyer:
Answered on Feb 25, 2025

Hello! My name is Dolan and thank you so much for contacting me! I just had a few quick questions for you: What is a reason it shouldn't have been a stock sale? Was it an LLC?

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Customer:
Asked on Feb 25, 2025

The seller was a S corp and I am an LLC.

Lawyer Dolan W.
5.0 (313)
Lawyer:
Answered on Feb 25, 2025

Got it! So an S-Corp is just a tax filing status and not the way the company is organized; however, typically an S-Corp would have been organized either as a corporation or an LLC. If the business you purchased was an LLC, then it'd actually be a membership interest that you bought and not stock. Stock is for corporations. So this means if it was an LLC, what you guys can do is draft an amendment that reflects that this was a membership interest sale and not a stock sale and it was only the verbiage that needs to be changed.

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Customer:
Asked on Feb 25, 2025

The issue is that the owner was suppose to transfer interest in the corporation before 5 days after the sale. This did not happen due to the owner refusing and the liquor license not being able to be transferred to a new owner. The previous owner wanted us to open a new LLC. This is why this was a goodwill sale and not a share transfer.

Lawyer Dolan W.
5.0 (313)
Lawyer:
Answered on Feb 25, 2025

Ok thanks! So in this case, a "goodwill" sale is not specifically legally defined; however, it sounds like the previous owner just failed to perform their express and implied duties here1 A breach of contract simply means that one party was obligated to perform and they have either not performed or have said that they will not perform. (Restatement (Second) of Contracts.) This applies regardless of whether the agreement was written or done orally. Typically, the aggrieved party is entitled to be returned to the same position they were in before the breach. You have some options you can explore: So in this case, my recommendation is to send a demand letter. Here is a template that can help - https://www.contractscounsel.com/t/document-form-checkout/119

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Dolan W.
Attorney
5.0 (313)
10 Yrs Experience
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Dolan W.

Attorney
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San Diego, California
10 Yrs Experience
Licensed in CA
Purdue Law School

You need a lawyer who's more than just knowledgeable – you need someone who's on your side. That's where I come in. I'll be there every step of the way, offering clear communication and proactive solutions. Whether you're starting a business or navigating a complex legal matter, I'll help you make informed decisions and achieve your goals. I also have drafted many templates to save you money. Just use this link - https://www.contractscounsel.com/client/lawyer-profile/3764#Templates Why Choose Me? I put you first I'm proactive I'm efficient I'm accessible

Recent  ContractsCounsel Client  Review:
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"Dolan was thorough, responsive, and delivered exactly what he promised. He reviewed five complex documents, returned clean redlines, and followed up with a clear written memo addressing three specific legal questions. The memo was well-reasoned and practical -- not just legal hedging, but actual guidance I could act on. Would hire again."

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