Business Partner Disputes and Business Divorce

When business partners can no longer work together, the dispute is rarely just personal. It becomes a control, valuation, and leverage issue. We represent owners in closely held companies facing deadlock, forced buyouts, removal disputes, and negotiated business separations.

Most business breakups trace back to unclear operating agreements, undefined exit rights, or valuation mechanisms that were never tested. When structure fails, owners need a strategy that protects their ownership position and financial outcome.

Facing a business partner dispute?

Call 412-351-4422 or
schedule a consultation to review your operating agreement and ownership position.

Common Business Partner Conflicts

Disputes often involve 50/50 deadlock, unequal work contributions, alleged breaches of fiduciary duty, withheld distributions, removal attempts, valuation disagreements, or disagreements over sale of the company.

In many cases, the conflict is less about misconduct and more about incompatible expectations and unclear exit provisions.

Negotiated Business Separation

Many business divorces resolve through structured buyouts, asset sales, or stock purchase agreements. The objective is to separate ownership while preserving enterprise value.

We structure negotiated exits that define valuation, payment mechanics, indemnities, and transition terms to prevent future litigation.

Forced Buyouts and Deadlock

When agreements provide removal rights or mandatory buyout provisions, enforcement may require strategic negotiation or litigation. If no mechanism exists, deadlock can lead to judicial dissolution or court intervention.

Early evaluation of the governing documents often determines whether leverage exists for settlement or court action.

Litigation When Necessary

If negotiation fails, business partner disputes may involve breach of fiduciary duty claims, accounting demands, injunction requests, or petitions for dissolution. Litigation strategy should align with long-term ownership objectives and valuation exposure.

See our Civil Litigation page for additional information regarding commercial disputes.

Business Divorce Requires Strategy, Not Emotion

Business partner disputes are financial events. The objective is to protect ownership value, control leverage, and exit on defined terms. Early legal analysis of the operating agreement and valuation structure often determines the outcome.

Call 412-351-4422
Schedule a Consultation