September 02 , 2025
When most business owners picture what could threaten their company, they think of competition, market shifts, or maybe even a recession. But one of the most disruptive—and often overlooked—threats comes from inside the walls: a dispute between shareholders or partners.
These internal conflicts can surface unexpectedly and escalate quickly, especially in closely held businesses. And when they do, the absence of a clear, defensible valuation strategy can turn a business disagreement into a drawn-out legal battle.
As Certified Valuation Analysts in Atlanta, we’ve worked with countless companies navigating these high-stakes situations. Whether you're proactively planning or responding to a dispute in real time, understanding the valuation side of the issue is critical.
A well-drafted buy-sell agreement can act as an insurance policy for business owners, providing a roadmap for handling ownership changes due to death, disability, retirement—or, most commonly, disputes. But even businesses with such agreements in place often overlook one key issue: the valuation mechanism.
Too often, the agreement includes vague language like “fair market value” without defining who determines that value or how it’s calculated. This lack of clarity leads to tension, distrust, and often, litigation.
In shareholder buyout scenarios in Atlanta and beyond, we’ve seen situations where both sides hire their own appraisers, each producing wildly different valuations. Not only does this stall resolution, but it can also drag the business into a costly court battle—damaging relationships and the company’s financial health in the process.
Not all valuations are created equal. Business valuation is as much an art as it is a science. It requires technical knowledge, yes—but also industry context, financial understanding, and sound judgment.
Credible valuations are:
When you work with a Certified Valuation Analyst in Atlanta, you’re working with someone trained to produce work that holds up under legal scrutiny and real-world conditions.
Aside from the legal costs and internal strife, there’s another risk that doesn’t get talked about enough: the damage these disputes do to the value of the business itself.
Buyers are wary of businesses with unresolved legal issues or fractured leadership. Employees grow uneasy. Vendors hesitate. Word spreads. In our small business appraisal work across Atlanta, we’ve seen deals fall apart because unresolved internal disputes scared off potential buyers or partners.
Even if you’re not currently looking to sell, preserving business value should be a constant goal. That’s why exit planning and dispute preparedness go hand in hand.
We once worked with a business where two founding partners—friends for over a decade—found themselves on opposite sides of a strategic disagreement. One wanted to grow aggressively; the other wanted to prepare for retirement. The partnership began to fray.
The problem? Their buy-sell agreement was outdated, and the valuation language hadn’t been revisited in years. There was no stated process for determining value, and no requirement to use a neutral third-party appraiser.
What should have been a straightforward shareholder buyout in Atlanta turned into a legal battle that lasted nearly a year. The company’s operations suffered, clients noticed the tension, and the business missed out on several growth opportunities during that time.
Eventually, they brought in an independent valuation consultant—late, but not too late. The situation was resolved, but the damage to the business’s momentum and internal culture took far longer to repair.
If you’re a business owner, or if your legal practice supports business clients, now is the time to revisit the agreements governing ownership changes and valuation procedures. Ask yourself:
If the answer to any of these is “no” or “not sure,” it might be time for a consultation. Whether you're thinking about buying into a small business in Atlanta, planning your exit, or helping a client do the same, establishing a clear valuation plan is one of the smartest moves you can make.
At Burns Valuation Consulting, our work goes beyond just numbers on a spreadsheet. We partner with business owners, attorneys, and advisors to deliver clarity in moments that often feel anything but clear.
From shareholder disputes and buy-sell agreements to corporate acquisition consulting in Atlanta, we bring structure and objectivity to complex decisions. Our goal is to ensure that value isn’t just calculated—it’s protected.
Business partnerships, like marriages, can be wonderful—but when they fall apart, they can also be messy. With the right planning and support, however, you can avoid turning a disagreement into a disaster.
If you're navigating a business transition—or want to be better prepared for one—reach out. Getting a small business appraisal in Atlanta doesn’t just put a number on your business. It protects what you’ve built, and helps everyone involved move forward with confidence.
