How do I remove a hostile shareholder?

Asked by: Arvid Lowe  |  Last update: September 27, 2025
Score: 4.3/5 (42 votes)

First, the shareholder must have violated either the shareholders' agreement or the bylaws (or both), and a resolution for removal has to be drawn up and presented to the Board of Directors. The cause for the removal must be stated, and a buy-out request to gain back the shares can also be included.

How do I force a shareholder to remove?

Where share transfer negotiations fail, there are several potential options available for forcing the sale or removing a shareholder from a company entirely.
  1. Existing provisions in the articles or shareholders' agreement. ...
  2. Alter the articles of association. ...
  3. Reduce dividend payments. ...
  4. Wind up the company.

On what grounds can you remove a shareholder?

Misconduct: Shareholders can be removed for engaging in fraudulent activities, misusing company assets, or harming the company's reputation. Failure to meet obligations: Not meeting financial obligations, such as non-payment for shares issued and failure to meet cash calls can be grounds for removal.

How do I remove an unwanted shareholder?

Here are five steps you should consider taking when making moves to remove a shareholder.
  1. Refer to the shareholders' agreement. A shareholders' agreement outlines the rights and obligations of each shareholder in an organization. ...
  2. Consult professionals. ...
  3. Claim majority. ...
  4. Negotiate. ...
  5. Create a noncompete agreement.

Can you force a buyout of a shareholder?

Majority shareholders can legally force minority shareholders to sell stock under drag-along clauses, buyout provisions, and court orders. Minority shareholders are often compelled to sell shares in corporate takeovers and mergers when acquirers anticipate 100% equity ownership.

How to Remove an Unwanted Shareholder

43 related questions found

Can a 51% owner fire a 49% owner?

No owner can be fired or demoted without good cause. Outlining the responsibilities of both parties. The majority can't sell the business unless it's to the minority shareholder.

What happens if a shareholder refuses to sell?

If your shareholder refuses to sell despite having the right, your company can use a power of attorney. Directors can enforce a sale, following specific powers outlined in the shareholders agreement or ESOP rules.

How to deal with a difficult shareholder?

Resolving disagreements between shareholders
  1. Put preventative measures in place. Shareholder disputes are more common in companies that do not have a shareholders' agreement in place. ...
  2. Consider professional mediation. ...
  3. Buy out the disputing member's shareholdings. ...
  4. Sell the whole company. ...
  5. Take court action.

How do I remove a shareholder from an S Corp?

Submit a resolution for the buyout of the shareholder for presentation to either the board of directors or at the next shareholder's meeting, depending on your shareholder agreement. The resolution need not be formatted in any specific manner; it just has to make the request for the buyout and be signed by you.

Can you be fired if you own 51% of a company?

According to FindLaw, if the majority partner is not fulfilling his duties according to the agreement, you can file a lawsuit seeking to remove the majority partner from the business. Some common reasons to file a lawsuit against a partner include a breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty and conflict of interest.

How do you terminate a shareholder?

First, the shareholder must have violated either the shareholders' agreement or the bylaws (or both), and a resolution for removal has to be drawn up and presented to the Board of Directors. The cause for the removal must be stated, and a buy-out request to gain back the shares can also be included.

What are shareholders not allowed to do?

While some shareholders have voting rights, allowing them to make some company decisions, such as electing board members, they are now allowed to participate in every facet of a company. Shareholders are not allowed to participate in the day-to-day management of a company.

How to force a shareholder to sell?

A Shareholder cannot generally be forced to sell shares in a company unless you have either agreed to a process resulting in that outcome, or the court orders that outcome.

Can a shareholder remove themselves?

Where a shareholder makes the voluntary decision to leave a company, they may wish to transfer their ownership of limited company shares to one or more other individuals. This can be effected through a gifting or sale of those shares, as achieved via a director's filling in of a Stock Transfer Form.

How do you get rid of a minor shareholder?

For shareholders that hold a majority (75%) of shareholdings of the company between and the company is solvent, then they could consider winding the company up under what's called a voluntary liquidation – this would allow the company's assets to be transferred into a new company for the purpose of removing the ...

Can a shareholder sell his shares to anyone?

Shareholders may purchase or sell shares in a company for various reasons, such as financial gain or personal circumstances. However, can a shareholder sell his shares to anyone? Shareholders may choose to sell their shares to anyone, subject to specific legal and regulatory requirements.

What is the procedure for removing shareholders?

Want to remove a shareholder? Here are three options.
  1. Negotiate. In some cases, a negotiation with the shareholder over the price and terms to purchase the shares is the effective.
  2. Vote. It may be possible to remove the shareholder through a vote. ...
  3. Bring Legal Action.

Who can fire a shareholder?

In addition, if you are an officer, such as the President or CEO of a company, or have certain roles that allow you to hire and fire employees, you may also have the ability to fire a shareholder from their role as an employee of the company.

What is an automatic termination of S Corp status?

The IRS consistently made clear that certain actions automatically trigger termination of S Corp status. Common examples include filing a return with disproportionate distributions, reporting a non-allowable shareholder, or exceeding certain limits on retained earnings and/or passive income.

How to resolve shareholder conflict?

Mediation can help try to resolve the dispute. Alternatively, shareholders will have to resort to court or to binding arbitration, depending on whether the shareholders agreement requires binding arbitration. Parties may also mutually agree to resolve their dispute by binding arbitration.

What is the maximum amount a shareholder can lose?

In the case of bankruptcy, shareholders can lose up to their entire investment.

What makes someone a controlling shareholder?

A controlling shareholder is any person who, together with that person's spouse, parents, and children, is directly or indirectly the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the outstanding voting stock or securities of the taxfiler.

Can I force a shareholder out?

There is no automatic right that allows one party to force another party to sell their shares.

What is an example of shareholder abuse?

Common Examples of Shareholder Oppression

Draining company profits through inflated salaries and bonuses to the majority, leaving little or nothing to distribute in dividends. Locking a minority shareholder out of company property. Cutting a minority shareholder out of management decisions.

How do hostile takeovers work?

A hostile takeover is a type of acquisition where a company (the acquirer) takes control of another company (the target company) without the approval or consent of the target company's board of directors . In other words, the target company's management is not in favor of the takeover, hence the term "hostile".