Buy-Sell Agreement Template

Set who can buy an owner's share, at what price, and on what triggers, before you ever need it.

Introduction

A buy-sell agreement is a contract among the owners of a business that decides in advance who may buy an owner's share, at what price, and on what triggers such as death, disability, divorce, retirement, or a voluntary exit. It keeps ownership inside the group, gives the remaining owners a clear path to buy, and prevents a forced sale or a dispute when someone leaves. The core terms are the same nationwide: the structure (cross-purchase, entity redemption, or a hybrid), the triggering events, the valuation method, and how the buyout is funded. A few rules do vary by state, most notably spousal consent in community-property states and how a non-compete on a departing owner is enforced, so check the version for your state.

Key Things to Know

1
A buy-sell agreement is a binding contract among co-owners that fixes who can buy a departing owner's interest, the price or valuation method, and the triggering events, so a death, divorce, or exit does not force the business into a dispute or a sale to an outsider.
2
There are three common structures. In a cross-purchase the remaining owners buy the departing owner's share; in an entity redemption the business itself buys it back; a hybrid or wait-and-see agreement lets the parties choose at the time of the trigger.
3
Set the triggers explicitly. The usual ones are death, long-term disability, retirement, voluntary departure, divorce, and bankruptcy of an owner. Each trigger can have its own price and payment terms, so define them rather than leaving them to negotiation later.
4
Choose a valuation method and keep it current. Common methods are a fixed price the owners restate periodically, a formula such as a multiple of earnings, or an independent appraisal at the time of the trigger. Update the number at least once a year.
5
Fund the buyout before you need it. Owners commonly use life or disability insurance on each owner, a sinking fund, or installment payments, so the buyer has cash when a trigger occurs. Match the funding to the valuation so the price and the money available line up.
6
Some rules vary by state. Community-property states may require a spouse's consent or notice before an owner disposes of a community-property business interest, and states differ on whether a non-compete on a departing owner is enforceable. See the version for your state for the specific rule.
7
No notarization, witnesses, or government filing is required in most states. A buy-sell agreement is valid as a signed writing. Keep the signed agreement with the company records, note any transfer restriction on the share certificates, and review it after major changes. Attorney review is available.

Key decisions before you file

Before you file a Buy-Sell Agreement in Maine, a few decisions shape the document: which option to choose and what each one means. The Buy-Sell Agreement guide walks through them.

Open the Buy-Sell Agreement guide

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Buy-Sell Agreement

This Buy-Sell Agreement (the "Agreement") is made on [date] among [Company name], a [state] [entity type] (the "Company"), and the persons who own interests in the Company and sign below (each an "Owner" and together the "Owners").

1. Purpose

The Owners want to keep ownership of the Company within the current group, provide a fair and orderly way to buy an Owner's interest when a triggering event occurs, set the price and payment terms in advance, and give each Owner a ready market for the interest. This Agreement controls the transfer of every ownership interest in the Company.

2. Transfer Restrictions

No Owner may sell, assign, pledge, or otherwise transfer all or any part of an ownership interest except as this Agreement allows. Any attempted transfer that violates this Agreement is void. Before any voluntary transfer to an outside party, the selling Owner must first offer the interest to the Company and then to the other Owners on the terms in Section 5. The Company shall note this restriction conspicuously on each ownership certificate.

3. Triggering Events

An Owner's interest becomes subject to purchase on any of the following: (a) death; (b) permanent disability, as defined in Section 9; (c) retirement or voluntary withdrawal; (d) termination of employment or service; (e) divorce, to the extent an interest would pass to a former spouse; (f) bankruptcy, insolvency, or an assignment for the benefit of creditors; or (g) an attempted transfer in violation of this Agreement.

4. Purchase Structure

The Owners elect one of the following, as stated in the Schedule: (a) Cross-Purchase, in which the remaining Owners buy the departing Owner's interest in proportion to their existing interests; (b) Redemption, in which the Company buys the interest; or (c) Wait and See, in which the Company has the first option and the remaining Owners may buy any interest the Company does not.

5. Right of First Refusal

If an Owner receives a bona fide written offer to buy an interest, the Owner shall give the Company and the other Owners written notice with the offer terms. The Company, and then the other Owners, may buy the interest on the same terms within [number] days. If neither buys, the Owner may complete the sale to the third party on those terms, and the buyer takes the interest subject to this Agreement.

6. Purchase Price and Valuation

The purchase price is the value of the interest determined by the method the Owners select in the Schedule: (a) a fixed price the Owners restate at least once each year; (b) a formula, such as a multiple of earnings or book value; or (c) an appraisal by a qualified independent appraiser as of the valuation date. The Owners should review and update the value regularly so the price stays realistic.

7. Funding

The buyout may be funded by life insurance or disability insurance on each Owner, a sinking fund, installment payments by the buyer, or a combination. Where insurance funds the purchase, the Schedule lists each policy, its owner, and its beneficiary, and the parties shall keep the coverage in force and match it to the current value.

8. Closing and Payment

The closing occurs within [number] days after the price is fixed. At closing, the buyer pays the price in cash or under the payment terms in the Schedule (for example, a down payment with the balance paid over [number] years with interest at [rate]), and the selling Owner delivers the interest free of liens and signs the documents needed to transfer it.

9. Disability

"Permanent disability" means an Owner's inability, because of illness or injury, to perform the Owner's regular duties for [number] consecutive months, determined as the Schedule provides. On permanent disability, the Owner's interest is purchased under the same terms that apply to the other triggering events.

10. General

This Agreement binds the Owners and their heirs, estates, and successors. It may be amended only by a writing signed by all Owners. If a court finds any provision unenforceable, the rest remains in effect. This Agreement is a signed writing and does not require notarization unless the Owners choose to notarize it. Attorney review is available.

Signatures.

Company: ______________________ Date: __________

Owner: ______________________ Date: __________

Complete the bracketed items and the Schedule for your Company. This template is general information, not legal advice; attorney review is available. For state-specific requirements, see the version for your state.

Maine Requirements for Buy-Sell Agreement

Governing Law (Maine Revised Statutes Title 11, Article 8 (UCC - Investment Securities))

Specifies that the agreement is governed by Maine law and complies with Maine's Uniform Commercial Code provisions regarding the sale of securities and business interests.

Business Entity Compliance (Maine Business Corporation Act (Title 13-C) or Maine Limited Liability Company Act (Title 31, Chapter 21))

Ensures the agreement complies with Maine's business entity laws based on the company structure (corporation, LLC, partnership), including proper authorization for share transfers.

Securities Compliance (Maine Uniform Securities Act (Title 32, Chapter 135))

Addresses compliance with federal and Maine securities laws for the transfer of business interests, including applicable exemptions from registration requirements.

Federal Securities Compliance (Securities Act of 1933 and Securities Exchange Act of 1934)

Ensures compliance with federal securities laws and regulations regarding the transfer of business interests, including applicable exemptions.

Triggering Events (Maine common law of contracts and Maine Revised Statutes Title 11, Article 2 (UCC - Sales))

Defines specific events that trigger the buy-sell provisions, such as death, disability, retirement, termination, bankruptcy, or divorce, in compliance with Maine contract law.

Valuation Methods (Maine common law of contracts and Maine Revised Statutes Title 11 (Uniform Commercial Code))

Establishes legally compliant methods for business valuation upon triggering events, which must be specific, fair, and enforceable under Maine contract law.

Life Insurance Provisions (Maine Insurance Code (Title 24-A))

Addresses the use of life insurance as a funding mechanism for buy-sell obligations, complying with Maine insurance laws regarding insurable interests and policy ownership.

Estate Tax Considerations (Internal Revenue Code § 2001-2210 (Federal Estate Tax))

Includes provisions addressing federal estate tax implications for deceased owners' interests and compliance with Maine estate tax laws.

Maine Estate Tax Compliance (Maine Revised Statutes Title 36, Chapter 575 (Maine Estate Tax))

Ensures the agreement addresses Maine-specific estate tax considerations for business interests transferred upon death.

Right of First Refusal (Maine common law of contracts)

Establishes legally enforceable rights of first refusal for existing owners when another owner wishes to sell their interest, in compliance with Maine contract law.

Dispute Resolution (Maine Uniform Arbitration Act (Title 14, Chapter 706))

Provides legally binding mechanisms for resolving disputes related to the agreement, including mediation, arbitration, or litigation provisions that comply with Maine law.

Restrictive Covenants (Maine common law regarding restrictive covenants and Maine Revised Statutes Title 26, § 599-A)

Includes enforceable non-compete and non-solicitation provisions that comply with Maine's specific requirements for reasonable scope, duration, and geographic limitations.

Disability Provisions (Maine Human Rights Act (Title 5, Chapter 337) and Maine common law of contracts)

Defines disability in accordance with Maine law and establishes compliant procedures for the purchase of a disabled owner's interest.

Americans with Disabilities Act Compliance (Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, 42 U.S.C. § 12101 et seq.)

Ensures disability provisions comply with federal ADA requirements regarding the definition of disability and treatment of disabled individuals.

Tax-Compliant Payment Terms (Internal Revenue Code § 453 (Installment Sales) and § 1274 (Imputed Interest))

Establishes payment structures for business interest purchases that comply with federal tax laws, including installment sale provisions and applicable interest requirements.

Spousal Consent (Maine Revised Statutes Title 19-A (Domestic Relations Law))

Includes provisions for spousal consent to the agreement terms, particularly important in Maine which is not a community property state but recognizes marital property rights.

Operating Agreement/Bylaws Consistency (Maine Business Corporation Act (Title 13-C) or Maine Limited Liability Company Act (Title 31, Chapter 21))

Ensures the buy-sell agreement is consistent with and properly referenced in the company's operating agreement (for LLCs) or bylaws (for corporations) as required by Maine business entity laws.

Section 409A Compliance (Internal Revenue Code § 409A)

Addresses compliance with IRC Section 409A for deferred compensation arrangements that might arise from installment payments for business interests.

Electronic Signatures (Maine Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (Title 10, Chapter 1051) and Federal E-SIGN Act)

Includes provisions allowing for electronic execution of the agreement and subsequent documents in compliance with federal and Maine electronic signature laws.

Deadlock Resolution (Maine Business Corporation Act (Title 13-C) or Maine Limited Liability Company Act (Title 31, Chapter 21))

Establishes legally enforceable mechanisms for resolving business deadlocks between owners, which must comply with Maine business entity laws and contract principles.

Frequently Asked Questions

It is a contract among the owners of a business that sets who may buy an owner's interest, the price or valuation method, and the triggers such as death, disability, divorce, retirement, or a voluntary exit. It keeps ownership inside the group and prevents disputes when an owner leaves.

An operating agreement or bylaws set how the business runs day to day. A buy-sell agreement covers only ownership transitions: what happens to an owner's share on death, disability, divorce, or departure, how it is priced, and who may buy it. Many companies keep both.

In a cross-purchase, the remaining owners individually buy the departing owner's share, often funded by policies they hold on each other. In a redemption, the business itself buys the share back. A hybrid lets the parties decide which applies when the trigger happens. Each has different tax effects.

By the method the owners choose: a fixed price they restate periodically, a formula such as a multiple of earnings or book value, or an independent appraisal at the time of the trigger. Whatever the method, set it clearly and update it regularly so the price stays realistic.

Most owners fund it with life or disability insurance on each owner, a sinking fund set aside over time, or installment payments from the buyer after the trigger. The goal is to have cash available when it is needed, matched to the agreed valuation so the buyer can actually pay.

In most states, no. A buy-sell agreement is valid as a signed writing, with no notarization, witnesses, or government filing required. Keep the signed agreement with the company records and note any transfer restriction on the share certificates. A few state-specific rules may apply.

The core terms are the same everywhere, but some rules vary. Community-property states may require a spouse's consent or notice for a community-property business interest, and states differ on whether a non-compete on a departing owner is enforceable. Use the version for your state for the exact rule.