These stories are based on real situations from Andrew Legrand’s 15 years as a business lawyer. Names, places, industry details, and numbers have been changed to protect the people involved. They are not legal advice.
Behind every ownership percentage are people trying to build a business and keep a relationship intact. Here is what happened when important expectations stayed unwritten.
When business partner friends disagree on valuation
Two friends built a pastry shop together, then spent between one and two years trying to agree on what a buyout should cost. One kept the shop, but neither kept the friendship.
5 min read
Read the storyWhen a spouse is a minority owner and there are no money rules
A distinctive retail store grew around its owner’s personal brand, but repeated cash withdrawals left it without operating money. The shop closed, and the owners faced both a business divorce and a personal divorce.
5 min read
Read the storyWhen you bring in a minority partner and figure it out later
A trusted employee became a minority owner in a similar new opportunity after little discussion beyond percentages. Working out everything else has become a long, expensive process, and the outcome is still uncertain.
5 min read
Read the storyWhen one partner does the work and the other expects half
Two owners put in equal cash, but within months one was doing most of the daily work and taking management fees and distributions. They eventually settled on a number and payment plan after both spent tens of thousands of dollars on legal fees.
5 min read
Read the storyThese are the kinds of conversations Stay Partners guides, not outcomes it promises to prevent.
Not legal advice. For disputes or exits, talk to an attorney of your own.
