Complete Logistical Services, LLC v. Rulh
In buyout dispute resulting from expulsion of LLC member, court finds state law does not preclude use of discounts in valuing withdrawing LLC member’s interest; company’s operating agreement is ambiguous on how to value expelled member’s interest, court says, leaving issue for jury to decide.
Experts comment on recent Brundle ESOP decision
In its recent Brundle opinion (see last week’s coverage), the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals, in describing the major actors in the case, included a quote (not attributed) that the ESOP world was “a very incestuous community.”
It’s not just about FMV, Brundle ESOP appeals court ruling shows
“Fair market value” is not the only consideration when it comes evaluating the performance of the ESOP trustee, the 4th Circuit made clear in its recent ruling, on which we reported here last week and which represents another milestone in ESOP case law.
4th Circuit upholds Brundle ESOP valuation and damages findings
The 4th Circuit Court of Appeals just affirmed the district court’s ruling against the trustee in the intensely contested Brundle v. Wilmington Trust ESOP case, including the district court’s valuation and damages findings.
5th Circuit Upholds Tax Court’s Characterization of Interest and Discount Rulings
In estate tax dispute, Tax Court agrees with IRS that decedent transferred limited partner interest, not assignee interest, to revocable trust; under partnership agreement, limited partner had rights not available to assignee; court rejects discount for lack of control and adopts IRS’ DLOM rate.
Estate of Streightoff v. Commissioner (I)
In estate tax dispute, Tax Court agrees with IRS that decedent transferred limited partner interest, not assignee interest, to revocable trust; under partnership agreement, limited partner had rights not available to assignee; court rejects discount for lack of control and adopts IRS’ DLOM rate.
Expert’s Detailed Risk Analysis Bolsters Use of Deep Discount in Law Firm Valuation
In buyout dispute over law firm interest, court credits firm’s expert, noting his extensive relevant experience, his taking care to value interest under fair market value standard, as required by the partnership agreement, and his detailed risk analysis to support a deep discount.
Fredericks Peebles & Morgan LLP v. Assam
In buyout dispute over law firm interest, court credits firm’s expert, noting his extensive relevant experience, his taking care to value interest under fair market value standard, as required by the partnership agreement, and his detailed risk analysis to support a deep discount.
Louisiana Appeals Court Affirms Use of Discounts in LLC Valuations
Appeals court supports trial court’s decision to value departing member’s minority interest on fair market value basis pursuant to state statute rather than method specified in some existing corporate documents; appeals court affirms lower court’s discretion to apply post-Cannon discounts.
Wall v. Bryan
Appeals court supports trial court’s decision to value departing member’s minority interest on fair market value basis pursuant to state statute rather than method specified in some existing corporate documents; appeals court affirms lower court’s discretion to apply post-Cannon discounts.
Three different court rulings on the use of discounts in the divorce context
Case law matters. Every month, BVLaw analyzes the most noteworthy court decisions dealing with valuation and damages issues. Subscribers should check out digests of three recent divorce rulings different state courts issued. All the cases dealt with the issue of whether it was appropriate to discount the owner-spouse’s interest in a closely held business.
BVLaw Recent Case Additions
Case law matters. Check out these three divorce decisions, recently added to BVLaw, which arose in different states and which all dealt with the question of whether it was appropriate to discount the owner-spouse’s interest in a closely held business.
Wiegers v. Richards-Wiegers
Alaska high court finds trial court was not required to value husband’s shares in closely held company under the liquidation approach the company historically had used in buy-out situations; trial court’s “true asset” approach was based on credible expert testimony.
Trial Court’s ‘True Asset’ Valuation Aligns With Expert’s Testimony
Alaska high court finds trial court was not required to value husband’s shares in closely held company under the liquidation approach the company historically had used in buy-out situations; trial court’s “true asset” approach was based on credible expert testimony.
Internal IRS memo unearthed re: S corp valuations
During a webinar, Michael Gregory (Michael Gregory Consulting LLC) discussed an internal IRS memo he recently obtained via a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request that has implications for valuing noncontrolling interests in S corps.
Ohio Appeals Court Approves Use of Fair Value Standard in Valuing Farm Entities
Appeals court upholds valuation of minority interest in farm entities based on fair value standard of value; court notes prevailing expert specifically referenced buy-sell agreements that did not contemplate use of discounts in valuing exiting member’s partial interest.
Tate v. Tate
Appeals court upholds valuation of minority interest in farm entities based on fair value standard of value; court notes prevailing expert specifically referenced buy-sell agreements that did not contemplate use of discounts in valuing exiting member’s partial interest.
In Wrongful Dissolution, New York’s High Court Approves FMV Valuation
In wrongful partnership dissolution, New York high court finds, under applicable statute, exiting partner’s interest may be valued under FMV standard of value; where exiting partner’s interest is minority interest, DLOM and minority discount may apply.
Congel v Malfitano (II)
In wrongful partnership dissolution, New York high court finds, under applicable statute, exiting partner’s interest may be valued under FMV standard of value; where exiting partner’s interest is minority interest, DLOM and minority discount may apply.
Courts Find Minority Discount Unwarranted Under Facts of Case
In valuing owner-spouse’s minority interest in LLC, trial court “would have been well within its discretion to apply a minority discount,” appeals court says, but it was not error for trial court to reject a discount based on certain questionable actions related to the owner’s interest.
Cobane v. Cobane
In valuing owner-spouse’s minority interest in LLC, trial court “would have been well within its discretion to apply a minority discount,” appeals court says, but it was not error for trial court to reject a discount based on certain questionable actions related to the owner’s interest.
Trial Court’s Stock Valuation Contravenes Agreement’s Buyout Provisions
In shareholder dispute over minority owner’s stock buyout, appeals court finds trial court’s sole reliance on five-year-old valuation and its rejection of appraiser’s recent valuation violates parties’ shareholder agreement and requires revaluation.
R. Kashmiry & Assocs. v. Ellis
In shareholder dispute over minority owner’s stock buyout, appeals court finds trial court’s sole reliance on five-year-old valuation and its rejection of appraiser’s recent valuation violates parties’ shareholder agreement and requires revaluation.
Hornberger v. Dave Gutelius Excavating, Inc.
Valuation of shares of terminated stockholder based on shareholder agreement that requires calculation of adjusted net book value and specified adjustments may include discounts, where discounts are consistent with industry practice, appellate court says.
Industry Practice Supports Discounts in Stock Redemption Valuation
Valuation of shares of terminated stockholder based on shareholder agreement that requires calculation of adjusted net book value and specified adjustments may include discounts, where discounts are consistent with industry practice, appellate court says.