While there isn’t a single government database tracking exactly how many transactions get delayed strictly by legal teams, M&A professionals share a well-known consensus: roughly 60% to 70% of all business transfers experience significant attorney-driven delays.

Most business owners breathe a sigh of relief when they sign a Letter of Intent (LOI). It feels like the hard part is over — the buyer is committed, the price is agreed upon, and the finish line seems close. But in today’s M&A environment, the LOI is not the victory lap. It’s the beginning of the most intense, high‑risk stretch of the entire deal. According to the 2025 Market Pulse report, the average timeline from LOI to closing has stretched to around 140 days the lon