Trapped with gf, could lose everything

I assume if you made her co founder, she has had some input into the company and has done her share of work? If yes, then pay her out.

Actions have consequences. Not sure what you're hoping to get here on MN. There's no magical solution that will save you from the consequences of your choices. Yes, you'll take a financial hit. If you speak to a legal professional and treat your girlfriend with respect (well, as much as you can after having fallen out of love with her and into love with someone else before splitting), maybe things won't be entirely 'nuked', but it will cost money.

So gross, I hope both women see this thread. You are a cheat, and aspiring thief / fraudster.

Is she a co-founder? Why can't you end the relationship while continuing to run the company together?

You should do the right thing and buy her out.

I don’t blame your new love for not wanting to be with someone who is already in a relationship open or not

You need to buy her out or run it together. Surely it's in her interest to continue a successful business if she's benefiting from it?

Xh and are 8 years divorced and still ate co directors in our business. We do actually work together a couple of days a week but I appreciate this isn't for everyone!

“Co-founder” and “shared company” - what an absolute swine you appear to be OP.

Stop trying to screw her over. buy her out. It’s her company too - you said so yourself.

What do you actually mean by “shared company”? And “cofounder”.

Im going to assume that she is an equal shareholder and a director. So she is entitled to a share of the company if you would prefer that she no longer be involved as fair and just compensation for holding shares and being on the hook as a director.

Im also going to assume that it was set up this way to share the risk and burden. And also because of the tax implications So it’s been fine to share that all these years but now you’re not willing to accept that this is a significant contribution, that it was your choice and something you could have sought advice on and asked questions about. Give your head a wobble.

You have chosen this. It’s probably benefited you for some time. Stop expecting the women in your life to continually sacrifice so you can keep all the good stuff for yourself.

Youre not trapped. You won’t lose everything. This does not belong to you and never has

Haha, her nuking your life!!!!
She will get what she’s legally entitled to, if that is nuking your life you’ll just need to deal with it

Precisely.
You sound arrogant and immature.
Your gf is well rid of you and I hope she can keep her share of the company or you buy her out at the going rate.

@stupididiotbastard

"The things ye do by two and two ye pay for one by one".

So, you've met someone and now want 'out' of your current relationship. You should have left when you decided you were no longer 'in love' but I expect you were happy to toddle along until you met this new woman. Or perhaps she's the reason you're 'no longer in love'. Irrespective of the reason, there's often a price to pay for freedom. It's up to you to decide what means more to you; the money or this 'new' woman.

See a solicitor and listen to what they say. Chances are you'll have to make a fair offer to buy her out.

These men never do.

I bet it was tax reasons.

In which case literally FAFO.

I'll bet a fiver that OP won't be back

Lovely 🙄

Take proper legal advice.

Yes, you may very well have to buy her out. That's the consequence of the choice you made.

Buy her out. Think of it as an expensive lesson you needed to learn.

So you just want advice on how to fuck this woman over financially.

Lovely. You're a right charmer. What does the other girlfriend think of this?
Mind you, she hasn't got any morals either, having entered into a relationship with a man who already had a girlfriend.

Hoist by your own petard! Why on earth do you expect a load of women to help you fuck over your girlfriend who hasn't done anything wrong?

If it’s a shared business how did you “stupidly” listed her as a co founder? It sounds normal.

Buy her out instead of trying to find ways to fuck her over. Sounds like you’ve done that enough.

So she's co founder? What was her input? Money, time, contacts, experience...?
You need legal advice and be prepared to buy her out at market value if she agrees to it. If the business is as successful as you say, this would be a financial set back without long-term impact. If not, you have to work out a way of running the company together without sharing a bed.

Is she a director? As not sure why that matters - unless she’s also a significant shareholder…I doubt this is genuine given you seem unaware of the difference between a director and shareholder.

If it is genuine then you need to check your shareholder agreement. Also you wouldn’t need to buy her out - if she wants to sell her shares then that’s her prerogative otherwise she just gets the dividends she’s entitled to each year. You’re not married so there’s no splitting of assets necessary so you just crack on with the business as you have been doing. My guess is that you haven't been paying her the dividends she’s entitled and you’re well aware that once you split you will no longer be able to get away with exploitation

You're not married. Your girlfriend's shares in the business are exactly what they are (50%?) independent of your relationship. You could stay in a romantic relationship with her, and she could sell her shares. Or, you can break up with her, and she can choose to keep the shares. Totally separate: business/romance.

That is, if she has shares. Is it a limited company, listed with Companies House? I am not sure what 'listing as co-founder' means. If it is 100% your business, but you are worried she will make a claim for part of it if you break up with her,on the basis she founded it with you, then see a solicitor.

Did you create the company and just added her name as co-founder? Or did you both indeed co-found the company? Is your girlfriend involved in the company day-to-day? Regardless of the answers, you need to seek legal advice, but it's likely questions a solicitor will ask you. It may be that you will need to buy her out of her share of the company, at market value. I suggest you seek legal advice asap. You can't stay in a relationship you're not happy in, because you're frightened of losing some money. You chose to add your girlfriend's name, so it's on you, if you do lose money! You need to let her go, so she can find someone else, and you can move on with the OW. Don't be a selfish arse and try to hang onto your money, whilst cheating on one woman, and stringing the other along! Neither deserve that.

Obviously you need proper legal advice, but I'd say you'll have to offer her a lump sum to buy her out. This will have to be negotiated and handled by professionals.
If I was her, I'd want a substantial amount.