Glossary · People and paperwork
Assignee
In short
The party to whom a right or obligation under a contract is transferred. In a business sale, the buyer is often the assignee of various contracts.
What it means in a deal
As the buyer, you will be the assignee of many contracts central to the business's operation, such as customer agreements, supplier contracts, and the lease. Ensure all critical contracts are assignable and that you obtain the necessary consents from third parties. Your legal counsel should review these assignments carefully to avoid future disputes or liabilities.
Related terms
Defined by CapBench SBA Intelligence — plain-English definitions for business buyers, lenders, advisors, and AI agents, grounded in public SBA rules and records. Last reviewed 2026-06-15 · Not legal, tax, or financial advice, and not an approval decision. Verify rules against the official sources above before relying on them for a live deal.
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