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name: ma-closing-checklist language: en description: Drafts a party-coded M&A closing checklist for U.S. stock purchases, asset deals, and mergers. Generates a status-tracked matrix covering corporate authorizations, transaction documents, consents, regulatory clearances, funds flow, and post-closing obligations. Use when coordinating closing for any M&A transaction.

M&A Closing Checklist

Generates a party-coded, status-tracked closing checklist for U.S. M&A transactions (stock purchase, asset purchase, or merger).

Quick Start

Confirm before drafting:

1. Definitive agreement — executed purchase/merger agreement with disclosure schedules
2. Structure — stock purchase, asset purchase, or merger
3. Parties — buyer, seller, target (if distinct), escrow agent, counsel
4. Closing logistics — date, time/TZ, location or virtual platform
5. Material contracts — change-of-control and consent triggers identified
6. Regulatory profile — org jurisdictions, HSR thresholds, industry regulators

Output Format

Header: target name, buyer name, closing date/time/TZ/location, version number, distribution date.

Party legend (expand as needed):

Code	Party
BC	Buyer's Counsel
SC	Seller's Counsel
B	Buyer
S	Seller
EA	Escrow Agent
CO	Company (if distinct)

Matrix columns: # | Item | Party | Status

Status flow: Pending → Draft → Under Review → Executed → Delivered → Complete

Checklist Categories

1. Corporate Authorizations

#	Item	Party
1.1	Good standing certificates — Seller (each org jurisdiction, ≤30 days)	SC
1.2	Good standing certificate — Buyer	BC
1.3	Board resolutions — Seller (approve transaction, authorize signatories)	SC
1.4	Board resolutions — Buyer	BC
1.5	Shareholder/member approval — Seller (if required)	SC
1.6	Consent rights holders — preferred shareholders, option/warrant holders	SC
1.7	Certified org docs — Seller (charter, bylaws/operating agreement)	SC
1.8	Secretary's certificate — Seller (resolutions, org docs, incumbency)	SC
1.9	Secretary's certificate — Buyer	BC

2. Principal Transaction Documents

#	Item	Party
2.1	Definitive agreement — final execution with all schedules	SC/BC
2.2	Escrow agreement (amount, duration, claims, release conditions)	SC/BC/EA
2.3	Asset: Bill of sale — tangible personal property	SC
2.4	Asset: Assignment & assumption — contracts, IP, permits, liabilities	SC/BC
2.5	Asset: Deed(s) for owned real property	SC
2.6	Asset: IP assignments — patents, trademarks, copyrights, domains	SC
2.7	Stock/Merger: Stock certificates or book-entry transfer; ledger update	SC
2.8	Merger: Certificate/articles of merger for SOS filing	SC/BC
2.9	Director/officer resignations and replacements	SC/BC

3. Ancillary Agreements

#	Item	Party
3.1	Legal opinion — Seller's counsel (authority, enforceability, no conflicts)	SC
3.2	Legal opinion — Buyer's counsel	BC
3.3	Employment/offer letters — key continuing employees	B/BC
3.4	Non-compete/non-solicit — selling shareholders, key personnel	SC/BC
3.5	Transition services agreement	SC/BC
3.6	Ongoing commercial agreements (supply, distribution) if applicable	SC/BC

4. Payoffs & Lien Releases

#	Item	Party
4.1	Payoff letters — all indebtedness (exact amount, wire instructions, release commitment)	SC
4.2	UCC-3 termination statements	SC
4.3	Mortgage/deed of trust releases (if applicable)	SC
4.4	Other lien releases	SC

5. Consents & Regulatory Clearances

#	Item	Party
5.1	Material contract consents — change-of-control/assignment	SC
5.2	Landlord consents — lease assignments	SC
5.3	Franchisor/licensor approvals (if applicable)	SC
5.4	HSR Act filing — waiting period expiration or early termination	BC/SC
5.5	State antitrust/competition filings (if applicable)	BC/SC
5.6	Industry regulatory approvals (healthcare, financial services, telecom)	BC/SC
5.7	CFIUS/foreign investment review (if applicable)	BC/SC

6. Closing Certificates

#	Item	Party
6.1	Officer's certificate — Seller (rep bring-down, covenant compliance)	SC
6.2	Officer's certificate — Buyer (rep bring-down, covenant compliance)	BC
6.3	No-MAC certificate	SC
6.4	IRS Form W-9 — Seller	S
6.5	FIRPTA certificate (IRC §1445) or withholding certificate if foreign seller	S/SC

7. Funds Flow & Settlement

#	Item	Party
7.1	Funds flow memo — base price, adjustments, escrow, payoffs, expenses, net proceeds	SC/BC
7.2	Wire instructions — Seller (verbally verified, fraud prevention protocol)	S/SC
7.3	Wire instructions — escrow account (confirmed with EA)	EA
7.4	Closing/settlement statement — complete source-and-use	SC/BC
7.5	Transaction expense allocations per purchase agreement	SC/BC

8. Post-Closing Obligations

#	Item	Party
8.1	Merger certificate filed with SOS; effectiveness confirmed	BC/SC
8.2	Press release/announcement (securities law compliance)	B/S
8.3	Required notices — customers, suppliers, landlords, lenders	B/BC
8.4	HSR post-closing notification (if applicable)	BC
8.5	State transfer tax returns and payments	SC/BC
8.6	Bulk sale compliance (if applicable)	SC
8.7	Business license/permit ownership updates	B/BC
8.8	Tax authority notifications — sales tax, payroll registrations	B/BC
8.9	Corporate records update — stock ledger, minute books	BC
8.10	Purchase price allocation (IRC §1060 for asset deals)	SC/BC

Critical Checks

• Version every distribution — all parties must confirm current version
• Flag long-lead items early — landlord consents, regulatory approvals cannot wait until closing week
• Sequencing — funds flow memo requires all payoff letters; closing certs require covenant performance
• Wire fraud — verbal confirmation protocol for all wire instructions; never accept email-only changes
• Legal opinions — negotiate scope and reliance parties early to avoid closing delays
• Good standing timing — typically ≤30 days pre-closing; confirm with buyer's counsel and lender
• FIRPTA — foreign sellers require IRC §1445 withholding [VERIFY current rate]; seller may seek IRS withholding certificate
• Bulk sales — check UCC Article 6 / state statutes for asset deals [VERIFY applicable states]
• Cross-reference — tie each item to the specific purchase agreement section
• Jurisdiction — adapt for state transfer taxes, recording fees, merger statutes, and foreign filings