Buy-sell agreements are agreements/contracts between co-owners of a business, and provide the circumstances in which one of the owners can sell their interest; who can buy a co-owner’s interest; and how the sale price will be determined. Despite the somewhat confusing name, these buy-sell agreements are not relevant when both owners wish to sell the business to a third party (person or entity other than the two owners).

Because buy-sell agreements are only relevant when one of the co-owners’ interest is being sold, these agreements generally apply when a co-owner retires, gets divorced, goes bankrupt, becomes disabled, or dies. Buy-sell agreements usually provide for the remaining co-owner to buy the exiting co-owner’s interest in the business at an agreed-upon price, or to calculate the purchase price using an agreed-upon method of valuation (for valuing the company). It may be easier to think of these agreements as buyout agreements, as one owner is typically buying-out the other owner. Buy-sell agreements should carefully address these situations in which an owner is likely to exit the business, or in which the ownership of the business might otherwise change—for example, upon the divorce of an owner—and include the agreement and signature of the co-owners’ spouses if necessary.

In North Carolina, buy-sell agreements are contracts among co-owners of a business that outline the conditions under which a co-owner's interest can be sold, who is eligible to purchase that interest, and how the sale price is to be determined. These agreements are particularly relevant in situations where one co-owner wishes to exit the business due to retirement, divorce, bankruptcy, disability, or death. The purpose of a buy-sell agreement is to ensure a smooth transition of ownership under these circumstances, often allowing the remaining co-owner(s) to purchase the departing owner's interest. The agreement typically specifies an agreed-upon price or a formula for valuation of the company to calculate the purchase price. In North Carolina, as in other states, it is advisable for such agreements to be comprehensive and to address potential changes in ownership proactively. This may include obtaining the consent and signature of the co-owners' spouses when necessary to ensure the enforceability of the agreement. Attorneys often assist in drafting these agreements to ensure they meet legal requirements and adequately protect the interests of all parties involved.