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Legal Term Sheet

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LEGAL TERM SHEET

Effective Date:    Party A Name:    Entity Type:

Party B Name:    Entity Type:

RECITALS

WHEREAS, Party A and Party B wish to set forth the principal terms and conditions on which they propose to proceed with the proposed transaction described herein (the Transaction) for the purposes of negotiating and documenting definitive agreements governing the Transaction; and

WHEREAS, the parties desire to record the material economic terms, key conditions to closing, and certain binding obligations as set forth below to facilitate negotiation of definitive documentation;

WHEREAS, the parties acknowledge that this Term Sheet is intended to reflect the current agreement in principle and to provide a basis for preparing definitive agreements.

NOW, THEREFORE

In consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, the parties agree as follows:

1. Transaction

1.1 Transaction Type: The Transaction shall be a pursuant to the terms set forth in this Term Sheet.

1.2 Transaction Description: The parties describe the Transaction as follows:

2. Consideration

2.1 Purchase Price or Investment Amount: The aggregate consideration payable in respect of the Transaction shall be (USD).

2.2 Form of Consideration: Consideration shall be paid as follows:

2.3 Equity Allocation (if applicable): Equity to be issued to Party A/Party B shall represent % of the fully diluted equity immediately following the Transaction.

3. Closing

3.1 Target Closing Date: The parties shall use commercially reasonable efforts to consummate the Closing on or before .

3.2 Closing Location: The Closing shall take place at unless otherwise agreed in the definitive agreements.

4. Conditions to Closing

4.1 The obligation of each party to proceed to Closing is subject to the satisfaction (or waiver) of customary closing conditions, including without limitation: (a) accuracy of representations and warranties in all material respects as of Closing; (b) performance of covenants material to the Transaction; and (c) receipt of required third-party and governmental approvals.

5. Confidentiality

5.1 The parties acknowledge that disclosure of Confidential Information has been or will be made. The parties agree that the confidentiality obligations set forth below are binding and enforceable as a separate agreement despite the non-binding nature of most provisions of this Term Sheet.

5.2 Confidentiality Period: Each party shall keep confidential and refrain from disclosing Confidential Information for days from the Effective Date, except as required by law or with prior written consent.

6. Exclusivity (No-Shop)

6.1 For a period of days from the Effective Date, neither party shall solicit, entertain or accept offers from third parties with respect to the Transaction; this Exclusivity obligation is binding.

7. Expenses

7.1 Each party shall bear its own fees and expenses in connection with the negotiation and preparation of this Term Sheet and any definitive agreements, except that .

8. Definitive Agreements

8.1 The parties intend to negotiate in good faith and execute definitive agreements containing customary representations, warranties, covenants, indemnities and closing conditions. Except for the sections expressly stated as binding in this Term Sheet, the parties agree that this Term Sheet is non-binding and is intended solely as a statement of current intent.

9. Representations; Limitation

9.1 Except as expressly set forth in any definitive agreement, no party makes any representation or warranty, express or implied, regarding the accuracy or completeness of any information provided in connection with the Transaction. Each party acknowledges that it will rely solely on its own investigation.

10. Termination

10.1 This Term Sheet shall terminate (a) by execution of definitive agreements, (b) by mutual written agreement of the parties, or (c) upon written notice by either party if the parties have not executed definitive agreements by .

11. Notices

11.1 All notices, requests, consents and other communications under this Term Sheet shall be in writing and shall be delivered to the addresses set forth below or to such other address as a party may designate by notice in accordance with this Section.

12. Amendments; Waiver

12.1 No amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Term Sheet shall be effective unless in writing and signed by the party against whom enforcement is sought. No failure or delay by any party in exercising any right shall operate as a waiver.

13. Governing Law

13.1 This Term Sheet shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of without regard to its conflict of laws principles.

14. Entire Agreement; Severability

14.1 This Term Sheet constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior discussions and writings. If any provision of this Term Sheet is held to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.

15. Counterparts; Electronic Signature

15.1 This Term Sheet may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Signatures transmitted by electronic means shall be treated as original signatures.

16. Binding and Non-Binding Provisions

16.1 Unless otherwise expressly provided in this Term Sheet, the provisions contained herein are intended solely as a basis for further discussion and are non-binding. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Sections 5 (Confidentiality), 6 (Exclusivity), 7 (Expenses) and this Section 16 shall be binding obligations of the parties.

Party A Printed Name:

By:

Date:

Party B Printed Name:

By:

Date:

Enter text✕

What a Legal Term Sheet Is and When It’s Used

A Legal Term Sheet is a concise, nonbinding document that summarizes the principal commercial and legal terms of a proposed transaction, such as an equity investment, asset purchase, joint venture, or major commercial contract. It identifies the parties, the economic terms (price, valuation, consideration), key conditions precedent, exclusivity or no-shop periods, basic governance or control provisions, and any confidentiality or exclusivity obligations. Term sheets are used to align expectations before parties prepare definitive agreements and to outline which points will be negotiated further in legally binding documents.

Why a Clear Term Sheet Matters for Transaction Efficiency

A well drafted Legal Term Sheet reduces negotiation time, clarifies deal scope for counsel and advisors, and highlights deal risks and milestones that affect closing. It serves as the roadmap for drafting binding agreements and can limit surprises during due diligence or closing.

Why a Clear Term Sheet Matters for Transaction Efficiency

Typical Users and Stakeholders for a Term Sheet

Use the term sheet to streamline negotiation and coordinate internal sign-offs before drafting definitive agreements.

  • Startup founders and management teams, to record investor offers and outline valuation, dilution, investor rights, and closing conditions.
  • Corporate development and finance teams, to summarize bid terms before allocating internal approvals and commencing due diligence.
  • Outside counsel and transaction lawyers, to translate negotiated points into binding purchase agreements and disclosure schedules.

Who Signs a Term Sheet and in What Capacity

Authorized Signatory

Typically an officer or other agent with authority to bind the entity (CEO, CFO, managing member). Confirm corporate authority and corporate resolution if the signing party is not the named officer.

Investor Representative

For funds or pooled vehicles, a designated partner or authorized signatory signs on behalf of the entity; confirm signatory has authority under fund governance documents.

Core Elements to Include in a Professional Term Sheet

A complete Legal Term Sheet balances brevity with specificity: include deal economics, key legal protections, conditions precedent, timeline, and confidentiality to avoid misunderstandings when drafting the definitive documents.

Parties

Full legal names of all parties, entity type, and state of formation; avoid trade names alone.

Economics

Purchase price, valuation mechanics, payment terms, escrow or holdback amounts, and any earnout formula.

Structure

Transaction form (asset purchase, stock sale, equity investment), allocation of liabilities, and assumed obligations.

Closing Conditions

Material conditions precedent such as regulatory approvals, third-party consents, satisfactory due diligence, and financing.

Governance

Board representation, voting thresholds, vesting, transfer restrictions, and protective provisions for investors.

Confidentiality & Exclusivity

Nondisclosure terms, no-shop or exclusivity period length, and permitted disclosures.

Required Data Fields for the Legal Term Sheet

Deal Name: Short reference name for document identification.
Effective Date: MM/DD/YYYY format for clarity on timing of obligations.
Party Legal Names: Full registered entity names and jurisdiction of formation.
Contact Details: Primary contact name, role, email, and phone for each party.
Economic Terms: Price, valuation, payment schedule, and any contingencies.
Signatory Authority: Name and title of the person signing and reference to corporate authorization if required.

Step-by-Step: How to Complete and Exchange a Term Sheet

Use this sequential checklist to prepare, circulate, and finalize a Legal Term Sheet while keeping internal and external stakeholders aligned.

  • 01
    Draft Key Terms: Identify parties, economics, structure, and conditions.
  • 02
    Internal Review: Legal and finance review for accuracy and risk.
  • 03
    Circulate to Counterparty: Send for comments and negotiate principal points.
  • 04
    Sign and Record: Execute by authorized signatories and store final copy.

How to Amend or Revise a Term Sheet

Follow a controlled amendment process to maintain version integrity and avoid conflicting commitments during negotiation.

01

Identify Revision:

Specify the clause(s) being changed and the proposed wording.
02

Obtain Internal Approvals:

Get sign-off from counsel and required corporate approvers before sending changes.
03

Mark Version:

Label with revision number and date to prevent confusion.
04

Circulate Redline:

Send tracked changes to counterparty with a brief rationale.
05

Confirm Acceptance:

Record counterparty acceptance in writing or by signature.
06

Finalize & Archive:

Produce a clean, dated version and store per retention rules.

Where to Send and File the Signed Term Sheet

Term sheets are exchanged among deal teams, counsel, and authorized signatories; establish a clear routing plan to ensure valid execution and archival.

  • Counsel: Deliver a signed copy to each party's lead counsel for recordkeeping.
  • Deal Team: Share the executed term sheet with finance, tax, and operations teams.
  • Investor Records: Place final copy in investor relations or cap table management system.
  • Corporate Records: File the executed copy with corporate secretary or minute book.

Configuring an Online Workflow for Term Sheet Execution

Set up an e-signature workflow that enforces signer order, authentication, and final distribution to reduce execution risk.

Field Configuration
Signer Order Sequential or parallel as required by deal structure
Authentication Email link, SMS code, or stronger MFA if needed
Attachments Include board resolutions or authorization documents
Final Copy Routing Auto-send PDF and audit trail to all parties

Technical Requirements for eSigning and Secure Exchange

Verify the platform provides secure transmission (TLS) and encrypted storage (AES-256) and can produce an audit trail for enforceability.

  • Document Formats: PDF and DOCX support for native and converted files
  • Authentication Options: Email, SMS, and advanced signer verification available
  • Integrations: Connectors for CRMs, cloud storage, and contract management

eSignature Pricing and Feature Comparison for Term Sheet Execution

Compare common eSignature plans and capabilities that matter for term sheets: starting price, trial availability, bulk sending for investor rounds, audit trails, HIPAA suitability, and envelope or session limits.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7-day free trial Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No
Envelope Cap No cap 100 envelopes/user/year Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan

Common Mistakes When Preparing a Term Sheet

  • Leaving material conditions vague, which creates disagreement during definitive agreement drafting.
  • Using nonbinding language inconsistently, causing confusion about which provisions parties consider binding.
  • Mismatching party names or signatory authority, which delays execution and validation.
  • Failing to address exclusivity or confidentiality, exposing the negotiation to competing offers.

Risks and Consequences of an Incorrect or Incomplete Term Sheet

Negotiation Delay: Missing or unclear terms can extend deal timelines and increase legal fees.
Deal Collapse: Key economic misunderstandings may lead parties to walk away before signing definitive documents.
Regulatory Risk: Omitted approvals or disclosures can trigger compliance issues in regulated industries.
Tax Exposure: Incorrect treatment of consideration can create unexpected tax reporting obligations.
Authority Challenges: Insufficient signatory proof may render execution ineffective for banks or title companies.
Recordkeeping Failures: Poor retention can impede audits or dispute resolution.

Key Milestones from Term Sheet to Closing

Track major milestone stages to keep the transaction on schedule and to coordinate deliverables among counsel, advisors, and counterparties.

01

Term Sheet Signed

Parties execute the term sheet and begin exclusivity or no-shop period.

02

Due Diligence

Buyer completes document, financial, and legal reviews; requests schedules.

03

Definitive Agreements

Draft and negotiate purchase, escrow, and ancillary documents.

04

Closing

Conditions satisfied, funds transferred, and final documents exchanged.

Real-World Examples of Term Sheet Workflows

These short examples illustrate how organizations use concise term sheets to streamline deals and integrate with execution platforms.

Martin Properties

Tim Martin used electronic term sheets to centralize offers and speed closings.

  • Practical point: mobile signing accelerated counterparty response.
  • Outro: "I can process and execute all of these documents online with 100% compliance and built-in security. Whether on mobile or working offline, I can get forms back to their necessary parties efficiently."

BIS

Dan Rotelli emphasized compliance-driven selection of platforms.

  • Practical point: SOC 2 certification informed vendor choice.
  • Outro: "We felt most comfortable with airSlate SignNow given their SOC 2 certification and strict focus on ESIGN and UETA act compliance."

Frequently Asked Questions About Legal Term Sheets

Answers to common procedural and legal questions that arise when drafting, signing, and storing term sheets.


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