Ownership records, the full history of the funds, the purchase or formation agreement, and any loan or escrow terms. Include the evidence that explains what the business actually does or will do on a day-to-day basis.
Surface conditions before they become binding commitments
Identify who controls the funds at each stage and what happens if a condition in the agreement is not met. Distinguish secured from unsecured borrowing rather than treating all loans the same way. If any term of the agreement changes, keep the updated version and note exactly what changed, and coordinate immigration and transactional advice before signing or transferring funds.
Every instrument the business depends on: bottom or water-column leases, aquaculture and harvest permits, any shellfish sanitation certification, the shore lease or dock agreement, and any licence tied to the seller personally. Several years of financial statements and tax filings, payroll and employee records, the lease and any assignment terms, supplier and customer contracts, licence and permit details, and a schedule of liabilities. Historic financial statements, tax returns and payroll from the business, supported by utility and service records, together with a hiring plan whose revenue assumptions follow from the equipment being bought.