What's actually in the closing binder my lawyer gives me afterward?

A closing binder is the organized, permanent record of everything signed and exchanged to actually complete the transaction. Expect the executed purchase agreement and any amendments to it, the bring-down certificate and statutory declarations, the corporate resolutions and authorizations relied on to complete the deal, the transfer documents or bill of sale, any assignment agreements for leases or contracts, and any non-competition or non-solicitation agreements the deal included.

It should also contain the final statement of adjustments and evidence of anything registered or discharged around closing, such as PPSA search results or discharge confirmations tied to the seller's prior secured debts. This binder is worth keeping indefinitely rather than filing away and forgetting, since it's often what's needed later — for tax filings, a future sale of the business, or, in a worse case, a dispute over what was actually agreed and represented at the time. Confirm with your lawyer that the binder you receive is complete against the original closing agenda before treating the deal as fully wrapped up.