How Business Owners Can Avoid Deadlocks in Decision Making

• Provisions Addressing Decision-Making Authority

In some situations (typically more appropriate for co-owners already having a solid relationship), the partnership or operating agreement could provide for a 50-50 split in profits, but a 51/49 split in control over decision making. Alternatively, in situations in which there is more potential for disagreement, the partnership or operating agreement could name a trusted and impartial individual familiar with the business having a two percent ownership interest who could act as the tiebreaker in a deadlock situation, but allowing the two general partners or members to retain equal ownership and control with a 49-49 split.

• Buy-Sell Provisions

A buy-sell provision spells out a means by which one co-owner will buy out the other’s ownership interest in the event of a deadlock (and in any other circumstances specified). A buy-sell provision both encourages deadlocked business owners to find a solution to avoid triggering these provisions and provides a predetermined way for one of the partners or members to exit the business in the event the co-owners are unable to iron out their differences.

These potential solutions have advantages and disadvantages: For example, when co-owners or partners have enjoyed a positive long-term relationship, having a 51/49 split in decision-making authority may seem like the perfect solution. However, there is no guarantee that the relationship will continue to be problem-free. Likewise, a buy-sell provision is meaningless unless each of the members or partners has the financial ability to exercise it. It is important to carefully consider which solution or combination of solutions is best suited for your particular circumstances.

Judicial Dissolution

In most states, a partner or member may seek judicial dissolution in situations in which it is clear that there is a deadlock in the management of the partnership or LLC that the co-owners are unable to break and irreparable damage to the business is threatened or has already occurred. For most business owners, this remedy is the last resort, as it inevitably leads to avoidable legal fees and damage to the business and the relationships of the co-owners. Judicial dissolution is much less likely to be necessary when deadlock-breaking provisions have been included in the partnership or operating agreement.

Call Us Today

Destructive consequences can emerge if a business is structured in a way that could lead to deadlock and the partnership or operating agreement lacks provisions for resolving such an impasse. We can help you to prepare a partnership or LLC operating agreement designed to prevent this situation from arising. Please contact us to set up an appointment to discuss this or any other issues related to the formation of your new business. 

This article is a service of Sky Unlimited Legal Advisory PC, Family Startup Lawyer™.  We're not your traditional law firm, we stand apart from the rest by helping you make informed and empowered decisions on how to deal with your business throughout life and in the event of an emergency. We offer a complete spectrum of legal services, including a New Business Planning Session or an Existing Business Review Session, which includes a review of all the legal, insurance, financial, and tax systems you need for your business. You can begin by calling our office at (650) 761-0992 today or book online to schedule a Business Planning Session and mention this article to find out how to get this $950 session at no charge.