{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/seller-consulting-agreement","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/glossary/seller-consulting-agreement","data_freshness":{"sba_records_through":"2026-05-31","fdic_records_through":"2026-03-31","dealroom_last_updated":"2026-06-15","timezone":"America/Chicago"},"source_summary":["Public SBA 7(a) loan records","FDIC institution data","DealRoom lender and franchise enrichment"],"term":{"slug":"seller-consulting-agreement","term":"Seller Consulting Agreement","group":"Doing the deal","definition":"An agreement where the seller remains with the business for a period after the sale, typically to assist with the transition, provide training, or consult. This is common in small business acquisitions.","what_it_means":"This agreement allows for a smooth handover of knowledge and customer relationships. The SBA requires that the seller's compensation under this agreement is market rate and not disguised debt. Ensure the agreement clearly defines the seller's role, duration, and compensation, and that you, the buyer, retain full managerial control.","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/seller-consulting-agreement","official_sources":[{"slug":"sop-50-10","title":"SOP 50 10 — Lender and Development Company Loan Programs","official_url":"https://www.sba.gov/document/sop-50-10-lender-development-company-loan-programs","official_label":"View on SBA.gov","authority_tier":2,"publisher":"U.S. Small Business Administration","source_guide_url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/sources/sop-50-10"},{"slug":"13-cfr-part-120","title":"13 CFR Part 120 — Business Loans","official_url":"https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-13/chapter-I/part-120","official_label":"View on eCFR","authority_tier":1,"publisher":"Office of the Federal Register","source_guide_url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/sources/13-cfr-part-120"}],"related":[{"slug":"retained-control","term":"Retained Control","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/retained-control"},{"slug":"managerial-control","term":"Managerial Control","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/managerial-control"},{"slug":"disguised-debt","term":"Disguised debt","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/disguised-debt"},{"slug":"non-compete","term":"Non-compete","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/non-compete"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"Can a seller's post-closing consulting agreement influence the standby status of their seller note?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/can-a-seller-s-post-closing-consulting-agreement-influence-the-standby-status-of-their-sel"},{"question":"Can the seller's post-closing consulting agreement influence the standby status of their seller note?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/can-the-seller-s-post-closing-consulting-agreement-influence-the-standby-status-of-their-s"},{"question":"Does a seller's post-closing consulting agreement influence their standby note status with the SBA?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/does-a-seller-s-post-closing-consulting-agreement-influence-their-standby-note-status-with"},{"question":"What factors should a lender assess regarding a seller's post-closing consulting agreement in a change of ownership?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-factors-should-a-lender-assess-regarding-a-seller-s-post-closing-consulting-agreement"},{"question":"What specific limitations must a lender impose on a seller's post-closing consulting agreement to ensure it does not imply retained control or undue influence?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-specific-limitations-must-a-lender-impose-on-a-seller-s-post-closing-consulting-agree"},{"question":"Does a full standby seller note prevent the seller from receiving any consulting fees from the business post-acquisition?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/does-a-full-standby-seller-note-prevent-the-seller-from-receiving-any-consulting-fees-from"}]},"caveats":["Definitions represent DealRoom's plain-English interpretation for buyers; verify regulatory terms against the official SBA and eCFR sources listed.","Not legal, tax, or financial advice, and not an SBA eligibility determination."],"citation":{"label":"DealRoom.so Glossary — Seller Consulting Agreement","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/seller-consulting-agreement","source_type":"DealRoom Data"}}