Minority Shareholder Squeeze Out - by Dave Kauppi

Minority Shareholder Squeeze Out - by Dave Kauppi: "For those that have been a victim of a minority shareholder squeeze out, the experience can be a nightmare. It usually involves the majority shareholder first terminating the employment of a shareholder of less than 50% of the privately held company's stock. The benefit to the minority shareholders in owning the stock is primarily their employment and the anticipation of a fair purchase price when the entire company is sold.

Dividends are seldom paid to shareholders, and if they are, they are minimal. After the minority shareholder is terminated, he receives an offer to purchase his shares from the majority holder or the corporation for what he feels is way below market price. When he objects, he is referred to the shareholder agreement that he signed years ago that gives the Corporation or other shareholders the right of first refusal to purchase his shares at valuations that are not even close to the fair value of his shares.

The first reaction is to sue. Let me tell you it is usually a waste of time and almost always a waste of money. After all, you signed the shareholder agreement that states very clearly:"