I never heard of payment plan to acquire a company. There's something fishy about this.
Unless it happens sometimes (that I never heard about), get a top lawyer in acquisition deals. Make sure that they at least understand the payment plan thoroughly and you must pay them a retainer because you will need the lawyer for 3 years to ensure the company does pay every time and not try to delay it, unethical-style. I think the deal is just extra costs on both sides. Your company is taking extra risk as other posters said because the buyer may go under and you'll be SOL, retainer or not.
Straight-up acquisition means only getting the lawyer for the purchase and to get company to pay one-off. Much cheaper. I would reject the deal due to the overhead but I do not know your full situation.
Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer, or had an acquisition, accountant, etc.
Unless it happens sometimes (that I never heard about), get a top lawyer in acquisition deals. Make sure that they at least understand the payment plan thoroughly and you must pay them a retainer because you will need the lawyer for 3 years to ensure the company does pay every time and not try to delay it, unethical-style. I think the deal is just extra costs on both sides. Your company is taking extra risk as other posters said because the buyer may go under and you'll be SOL, retainer or not.
Straight-up acquisition means only getting the lawyer for the purchase and to get company to pay one-off. Much cheaper. I would reject the deal due to the overhead but I do not know your full situation.
Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer, or had an acquisition, accountant, etc.