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Buy-Sell Agreement
Free buy-sell agreement template — governs what happens to a business owner's share if they leave, die, or become disabled.
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This free buy-sell agreement covers 1. Purpose, 2. Triggering Events and Obligations, 3. Valuation Method, 4. Funding, 5. Payment Terms with 7 clearly marked [placeholder] fields to fill in — built for founders, freelancers, and small business owners formalizing a business decision or agreement without paying a lawyer to draft it from scratch. Copy it into your own word processor, fill in the placeholders, and review it — or adapt it — before use. It's part of docstoc's free document template library, alongside business, legal, real estate, finance, and HR templates. Every template here is free to copy with no signup required, and each one carries a plain disclaimer: this is a starting point for informational purposes, not a substitute for advice from a licensed professional in your jurisdiction.
Buy-Sell Agreement
Company: [Company Name] Owners: [List all owners and ownership %] Effective Date: [Date]
1. Purpose
This Agreement governs the transfer of ownership interests upon a "Triggering Event": death, disability, retirement, voluntary departure, or involuntary termination of an owner.
2. Triggering Events and Obligations
| Event | Buyer | Trigger |
|---|---|---|
| Death | [Company / remaining owners] | Required purchase |
| Disability (after [Period]) | [Company / remaining owners] | Required purchase |
| Voluntary departure | [Company / remaining owners] | Right of first refusal |
3. Valuation Method
The purchase price is determined by: [Fixed formula (e.g. multiple of EBITDA) / independent appraisal / agreed value updated annually].
4. Funding
[How the purchase will be funded — e.g. life insurance policies on each owner for the death scenario, an installment note for other triggers.]
5. Payment Terms
If not funded by insurance, the purchase price is paid: [Lump sum / installments over ___ years at ___% interest].
6. Restrictions on Transfer
No owner may sell or transfer their interest to an outside party without first offering it under this Agreement's terms.
[Each owner signs:] Owner: ______________________ Date: ____________
*This document is provided for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The valuation method is where these agreements most often fail in practice — a formula everyone agrees is fair today can look very different (and get disputed) 10 years later. Revisit it periodically, and involve a licensed attorney and possibly a valuation professional when drafting.*
Edit directly in the box above. Download PDF anytime — the docstoc.io footer is always included and cannot be removed.
What's included
- Edit online — click the document, fill in placeholders, download a PDF
- 6 standard sections: 1. Purpose, 2. Triggering Events and Obligations, 3. Valuation Method, 4. Funding, 5. Payment Terms, 6. Restrictions on Transfer
- 7 clearly marked [placeholder] fields for quick personalizing
- Free to use — no account or signup required
- Fully editable — adjust any clause to match your actual situation
- Includes a signature block, ready to print or sign digitally
- Fixed docstoc.io footer on every PDF (not removable)
Who this template is for
Freelancers & solo founders
Handling routine business paperwork without commissioning custom legal drafting for every document.
Small businesses
Standardizing recurring documents — leases, agreements, notices — across a growing operation.
Anyone reviewing before signing
Using a clear starting structure to understand what a document should cover, even if a lawyer finalizes it.
Early-stage businesses
Getting the basics documented before things get more complex.
FAQ
Is this buy-sell agreement template really free?
Yes, completely free — view, edit, and download this buy-sell agreement as a PDF without creating an account.
What does this buy-sell agreement cover?
This business template includes 1. Purpose, 2. Triggering Events and Obligations, 3. Valuation Method, 4. Funding. Fill in the [bracketed] placeholders, edit any clause online, then download a PDF — the docstoc.io footer stays on every export.
Is this legal advice?
No. Templates like this cover the common ground most businesses need, but they can't anticipate your specific deal terms, jurisdiction, or industry rules. Treat it as a first draft to build from, and get a business attorney's eyes on it before signing anything that matters.
Can I edit the wording?
Yes. All 7 placeholder fields and every clause are editable right on the page — change what doesn't fit, then download an updated PDF anytime.
Where can I find more free templates like this?
Browse more free business and related document templates in the docstoc library at /document-templates/.
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