Help With a Business Partner Dispute, at a Flat Fee

At least half of the partner calls we get are disputes, not friendly exits. They usually look like one of these.

Communication has completely broken down

Your partner will not return calls, every meeting turns into an argument, or decisions are stuck because neither of you will give. We review your operating or partnership agreement for deadlock and exit terms, then step in so the conversation happens between attorneys. Attorney-to-attorney negotiation often restarts a discussion that had stopped, and the goal is a signed agreement: new ground rules, or one of you buying the other out.

Your partner has disappeared

Your partner stopped showing up, stopped answering, and stopped contributing, but still owns part of the company. We start with a letter from an attorney, which often gets a response when your messages did not, and move to negotiation if they engage. If they do not, we look at what your agreement says about withdrawal, removal, or a forced buyout. If the agreement does not solve it and your partner never responds, court may be the remaining path, and we will tell you when you have reached that point. Read more about your options when an LLC member goes absent.

You think your partner is doing something wrong

Money is missing, your partner is steering customers to another business, paying themselves more than agreed, or hiding the books. Before you confront them, we review the company documents to see what rights you have, including access to company records. From there, a demand letter can require them to stop and account for what happened, and negotiation can turn it into a buyout or repayment. When the stakes are high, we start gathering evidence and preparing as if it will go to court, which is often what gets the other side to settle.

You just need to get out

Sometimes there is no single bad act. You are done, and you want your money and your name out of the business. Your options usually include selling your share to your partner, selling it to someone else if your agreement allows it, withdrawing under the agreement’s terms, or dissolving the company. We help you pick the path that protects your investment and your personal liability, then get it signed. If you and your partner can agree on the basics, see our flat-fee business partner buyout.

We will recommend the right starting point in your free consultation. Many disputes use more than one step, and you approve each one and its price before it starts.

In a partner dispute, the first moves often matter most. Until you have checked your agreement with an attorney:

• Do not move company money, change bank access, or lock your partner out of systems on your own. It can breach your agreement and weaken your position.
• Do not destroy or edit records, emails, or texts, even ones that look bad for you.
• Do not sign anything your partner sends you, including a “simple” release or resignation.
• Do not air the dispute with employees, customers, or online.
• Do keep copies of the company documents you already have, and write down dates and what happened while it is fresh.

We represent one side: either one owner, or the company. We never represent both owners in a dispute. Your free consultation includes a conflict check, so we confirm we can act for you before you share the details.

Our flat fees cover letters, negotiation, and documents. We do not file lawsuits or appear in court. If your dispute needs to go to court, we will tell you, and help you find litigation counsel with the work we have already done.