Cronan v. Cronan
This case concerned an appeal of a family court magistrate’s decision as to the value of marital assets and the distribution thereof and denial of alimony to the wife. The plaintiff, the husband, is a physician shareholder in a medical imaging practice. The practice had a shareholder agreement that provided for the price to buy into and sell out of the practice. The wife’s expert determined the value of the husband’s shares under the fair market value standard but the trial court and supreme court went with the agreement value.
Rhode Island Supreme Court Affirms Value of Interest in Medical Practice Per Shareholder Agreement and Equitable Distribution of Assets
This case concerned an appeal of a family court magistrate’s decision as to the value of marital assets and the distribution thereof and denial of alimony to the wife. The plaintiff, the husband, is a physician shareholder in a medical imaging practice. The practice had a shareholder agreement that provided for the price to buy into and sell out of the practice. The wife’s expert determined the value of the husband’s shares under the fair market value standard but the trial court and supreme court went with the agreement value.
Low buyback value stings departing owners
Shareholder-employees should take a lesson from a recent case and take a fresh look at their buyout agreements—especially the part about the redemption value.
Laurilliard v. McNamee Lochner, P.C.
The plaintiffs, minority shareholder employees in a law firm, brought suit against their firm for breaching their employment contracts. The court determined that the plaintiffs were at-will employees and that there was no breach of their agreements when they were terminated. The court also determined that the under-market-value payment under their repurchase agreements was allowable since they were at-will employees.
New York Court Allows Enforcement of Under-Market-Value Buy-Sell and Approves At-Will Termination of Shareholder-Employees
The plaintiffs, minority shareholder employees in a law firm, brought suit against their firm for breaching their employment contracts. The court determined that the plaintiffs were at-will employees and that there was no breach of their agreements when they were terminated. The court also determined that the under-market-value payment under their repurchase agreements was allowable since they were at-will employees.
Jayawardena v. Daka
This case involved a shareholder dispute among four shareholders of a physician practice (Ferncreek Cardiology PA) and two real estate LLCs. There were buy-sell provisions for each of the three entities. As to Ferncreek, the buy-sell provision was essentially an increase in book value provision, as the regular account determined in “good faith.” Payment provisions were also included in the agreement. The two real estate LLCs had a buy-sell provision that provided for either a single agreed-upon appraiser or three appraisers if no agreement was made. The plaintiff made the decision to exit the practice, triggering the buy-sell provisions. The parties were not able to agree on certain provisions as they worked through the buy-sell agreements. The trial court entered partial summary judgments on some claims of both parties. This appeal dealt with these partial summary judgments and was filed by the plaintiff.
North Carolina Appeals Court Affirms Decisions on Value of Businesses Under Buy-Sell Agreements
This case involved a shareholder dispute among four shareholders of a physician practice (Ferncreek Cardiology PA) and two real estate LLCs. There were buy-sell provisions for each of the three entities. As to Ferncreek, the buy-sell provision was essentially an increase in book value provision, as the regular account determined in “good faith.” Payment provisions were also included in the agreement. The two real estate LLCs had a buy-sell provision that provided for either a single agreed-upon appraiser or three appraisers if no agreement was made. The plaintiff made the decision to exit the practice, triggering the buy-sell provisions. The parties were not able to agree on certain provisions as they worked through the buy-sell agreements. The trial court entered partial summary judgments on some claims of both parties. This appeal dealt with these partial summary judgments and was filed by the plaintiff.
Collins v. Tabs Motors of Valley Stream Corp.
In this New York business divorce case, the court held that the shareholders agreement was enforceable, as well as the stipulated value of the buyout price as determined in Schedule B of the shareholders agreement. Claims by petitioners of breach of fiduciary duty and related claims, including a years-old certificate of value, were not sufficient to overcome the unambiguous terms of the buy-sell agreement.
In a New York Business Divorce, a Petition for Dissolution Triggers Buy-Sell Agreements
In this New York business divorce case, the court held that the shareholders agreement was enforceable, as well as the stipulated value of the buyout price as determined in Schedule B of the shareholders agreement. Claims by petitioners of breach of fiduciary duty and related claims, including a years-old certificate of value, were not sufficient to overcome the unambiguous terms of the buy-sell agreement.
Indiana and South Carolina courts issue key discount rulings
The Indiana Court of Appeals and the South Carolina Supreme Court recently issued noteworthy rulings on the appropriateness of discounts in valuing minority interests. The contexts in which the issue arose were different, but both situations amounted to a compelled buyback of shares.
Courts are alert to valuations unmoored from the facts
Perhaps experts feel pressure from the hiring attorney or the client, perhaps they are unable to access key documents or information, or perhaps they simply lack valuation and litigation experience.
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.
Cristofano v. Chahal
In fair value dispute, court credits defense expert analysis based on capitalized economic income method and working with company’s historical earnings and growth rates; analysis properly accounts for particular facts of the case, including expiration of lucrative client contract.
Court Favors Fair Value Analysis Based on Historical Data and Case Facts
In fair value dispute, court credits defense expert analysis based on capitalized economic income method and working with company’s historical earnings and growth rates; analysis properly accounts for particular facts of the case, including expiration of lucrative client contract.
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.
Confusion Over Key Valuation Issues Prompts Remand
In shareholder dispute, appeals court says trial court did not follow controlling shareholder agreement requiring appraiser to value the company as an entity; also, appraiser’s report left it unclear whether valuation included improper minority discount.
Ambiguous expert report prompts order to revalue minority interest
A recent Wisconsin case illustrates that a shareholder agreement in place is no guarantee for a smooth buyout of the minority shareholder. The case also includes a caution to experts to strive for clarity in their expert reports.
Confusion Over Key Valuation Issues Prompts Remand
In shareholder dispute, appeals court says trial court did not follow controlling shareholder agreement requiring appraiser to value the company as an entity; also, appraiser’s report left it unclear whether valuation included improper minority discount.
Swiderski Equip. v. Swiderski
In shareholder dispute, appeals court says trial court did not follow controlling shareholder agreement requiring appraiser to value the company as an entity; also, appraiser’s report left it unclear whether valuation included improper minority discount.
Spouse’s Unilateral Stock Agreement Sets Value in Divorce Action
Appeals court agrees with trial court that valuation in stock agreement is binding in partition action even though non-owner spouse refused to sign agreement and agreement did not mention divorce as one of the circumstances in which valuation applied.
Spouse’s Unilateral Stock Agreement Sets Value in Divorce Action
Appeals court agrees with trial court that valuation in stock agreement is binding in partition action even though non-owner spouse refused to sign agreement and agreement did not mention divorce as one of the circumstances in which valuation applied.