Ep. 136 - Buying or Selling a Business: Legal Mistakes That Can Cost You Everything

Ep. 136 - Buying or Selling a Business: Legal Mistakes That Can Cost You Everything

From Business SOS! Common Legal Mistakes Business Owners Make and How to Avoid Them by Rich Sierra

March 10, 2026 · 33 min

About this episode

This episode discusses the legal complexities and common mistakes involved in buying or selling a business.

Buying or selling a business is one of the most important transactions a business owner will ever make—but it’s also one of the most legally complex. In this episode of the Business SOS! podcast, Rich Sierra revisits the topic of business acquisitions and explains why so many deals lead to disputes after closing. Rich walks through the most common legal problems that arise during business sales, including poor due diligence, hidden liabilities, and misunderstandings about what is actually being purchased. He also explains the critical differences between asset purchases and ownership transfers, and why the structure of the transaction can dramatically affect the risk a buyer assumes. Listeners will learn why representations and warranties matter, how indemnification provisions protect buyers and sellers, and why many post-closing disputes involve non-compete agreements, earn-outs, and transition obligations. If you are considering buying a business, selling your company, or preparing for a future exit, this episode will help you understand the legal risks involved and how to protect yourself before signing the deal.   How to Contact Rich Sierra: Email: Rich@RichSierra.com 📞…

People in this episode

Host: Rich Sierra

Topics covered

  • business acquisition
  • legal mistakes
  • due diligence
  • asset purchases
  • ownership transfers
  • post-closing disputes

Keywords

  • legal risks
  • business sales
  • hidden liabilities
  • non-compete agreements
  • indemnification provisions

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Florida Small Business Legal Center

Products: Business SOS! Eight Common Legal Mistakes Business Owners Make and How to Avoid Them

More episodes of Business SOS! Common Legal Mistakes Business Owners Make and How to Avoid Them

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Business SOS! Common Legal Mistakes Business Owners Make and How to Avoid Them podcast page.