The company you sell to cannot legally bind you to working for them - that is indentured servitude. You can always leave any contract or job any time you want.

The company you sell to cannot legally bind you to working for them - that is indentured servitude. You can always leave any contract or job any time you want. The OP mentions "once the check clears" for good reason - because when making acquisitions your payout is usually contingent on staying around for the transition for a fixed amount of time - you don't get your payout until that deadline, and if you leave before then you void the obligation.