{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/can-an-sba-7-a-loan-finance-a-partner-buyout-where-the-exiting-partner-is-a-family-member","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/questions/can-an-sba-7-a-loan-finance-a-partner-buyout-where-the-exiting-partner-is-a-family-member","question":"Can an SBA 7(a) loan finance a partner buyout where the exiting partner is a family member?","topic":"Partner buyouts","audience":"borrower","bot_mode":"buyer","short_answer":"Yes, an SBA 7(a) loan can finance a partner buyout even if the exiting partner is a family member, provided specific conditions are met.","rule":"Partner buyouts are eligible for SBA 7(a) financing. For family members, the transaction must be an arm's length transaction, meaning the terms and valuation are fair and equitable, as if between unrelated parties. A business valuation is always required to justify the purchase price.","example":"A son wants to buy out his father's 50% share of a $1,000,000 business. An independent business valuation would be required to determine the fair market value of the father's share ($500,000), which could then be financed by an SBA 7(a) loan.","what_lenders_check":"Lenders pay close attention to the arm's length nature of family buyouts to prevent conflicts of interest or inflated valuations. They require a strong, independent valuation and clear documentation of the transaction terms.","required_facts":["Partner buyout","Family member","Arm's length transaction","Business valuation","Fair market value"],"source_families":["SOP 50 10 - Lender and Development Company Loan Programs","13 CFR Part 120 - Business Loans"],"official_sources":[{"title":"SOP 50 10 - Lender and Development Company Loan Programs","url":"https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/2025-05/SOP%2050%2010%208%20Technical%20Updates%20effective%206.1.2025.docx"},{"title":"13 CFR Part 120 - Business Loans","url":"https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-13/chapter-I/part-120"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"If I'm buying out a partner, does the remaining partner also need to personally guarantee the SBA loan for $500,000?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/if-i-m-buying-out-a-partner-does-the-remaining-partner-also-need-to-personally-guarantee-t"},{"question":"If I am buying out a partner, does the SBA require the business to pass a cash flow test post-acquisition?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/if-i-am-buying-out-a-partner-does-the-sba-require-the-business-to-pass-a-cash-flow-test-po"},{"question":"If I am buying out a partner, how does the SBA ensure the purchase price is fair and justifiable?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/if-i-am-buying-out-a-partner-how-does-the-sba-ensure-the-purchase-price-is-fair-and-justif"},{"question":"Can an SBA 7(a) loan be used to purchase a business if the seller will retain a minority ownership stake?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/can-an-sba-7-a-loan-be-used-to-purchase-a-business-if-the-seller-will-retain-a-minority-ow"},{"question":"What are the requirements for the seller in an SBA 7(a) business acquisition loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/what-are-the-requirements-for-the-seller-in-an-sba-7-a-business-acquisition-loan"},{"question":"Can an SBA 7(a) loan be used to fund a partner buyout with an earn-out provision?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/can-an-sba-7-a-loan-be-used-to-fund-a-partner-buyout-with-an-earn-out-provision"}],"related_terms":[{"term":"Buyout of a Partner","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/buyout-of-a-partner"},{"term":"SBA 7(a) loan","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/sba-7-a-loan"},{"term":"Partner buyout","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/partner-buyout"},{"term":"Aggregate SBA 7(a) Loan Eligibility","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/aggregate-sba-7-a-loan-eligibility"},{"term":"7(a) loan","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/7a-loan"},{"term":"SBA 7(a) Loan Program","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/sba-7-a-loan-program"}],"related_tools":[{"name":"SBA 7(a) payment & fee calculator","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/calculator"},{"name":"Find an active SBA 7(a) lender","url":"https://dealroom.so/lenders"}],"data_freshness":{"last_reviewed":"2026-06-13","sba_rule_sources_checked_through":"2026-06-13"},"citation":{"label":"DealRoom.so SBA 7(a) Q&A","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/can-an-sba-7-a-loan-finance-a-partner-buyout-where-the-exiting-partner-is-a-family-member","source_type":"DealRoom Q&A"},"caveats":["Grounded in the current SBA rulebook; verify against official sources before relying on it for a live deal.","Not legal, tax, or financial advice and not an approval decision."]}