To hire solicitor or not?

[penguins79]

Ugh just wrote out my whole post but erased by mistake. My apologies if this appears twice

Back story: I used to be in business with 2 other people. Partner 1 always bullied me and treated me terribly. Partner 2: we always had a good relationship one on one but when there was conflict within the group he would always side with Partner 1

Things reached a breaking point late last year where I decided I needed to leave and we were faced with trying to figure out how to split the business up in order to give me my share.

We all three decided to use mediation and it has been going well. I honestly thought we could finish all this within the next 4-6 weeks

Until this morning. Mediator just called me this morning to let me know that Partner 1 had hired a solicitor who will be joining our call.

I was shocked and called Partner 2 saying I guess I needed to interview some people so I could have a solicitor there just to be fair.

His response was, why are you escalating this? First and foremost we are all friends here and there's no need to involve solicitors that's why we chose mediation. His reasoning that partner 1 told him (she and I aren't speaking) is that she is so busy homeschooling her kids that she just needs an extra pair of ears being in that meeting.

So what should I do? Hire a solicitor or not? Partner 2 is important in this process as ultimately all 3 of us need to agree on this and he seems to somehow blame me for wanting to also have representation there.

But if I don't hire someone I feel like I will be at a disadvantage.

Aibu: don't hire
Yanbu: hire

And what should I do about the fallout and partner 2 to make sure he doesn't totally turn against me?

I think it's reasonable to say you're unlikely to come out of this as friends

P2 has to stay to side with P1 not you

Whatever the reason if someone brings a solicitor in it's unfair on the others

Suggest you all have solicitors or none at all

What crazyhouse said

Start sounding out a solicitor

Why do you care what P2 thinks? At the moment, you are allowing them to control this ‘friendship’ as it’s all on their terms. You get on fine till P1 is there, P2 is blaming you for escalating this because P1 hired a solicitor first.

Regardless of the above, with such high financial stakes at risk you should be hiring a solicitor

Get a lawyer. P2 is not your friend anymore. Protect yourself and forget what p1 and 2 will think.

They’re doing good cop / bad cop.

P2 is not your friend, just trying to save himself some money. Try to see that. Get a lawyer.

Follow on the lead of the nasty, just hire another pair of legal ears to help you feel comfortable in the meeting.

The big question is, considering the size of the business and what you expect to get out of it, is it worth it? I know someone who spent years in a similar court battle and not even got back 1/3 of what he paid in solicitor fees.

Choose your battles, only get into this one if what you are likely to get out of it is much greater than the likely emotional/financial cost or damage you will experience to get it.

Hire a solicitor!!!

My DH and I were 50/50 partners in a business with another couple. My DH and I [it was DH's business originally] were the hard workers, the other couple wanted to do the easy stuff... Things got difficult over the years.

The other couple were all for taking 50% but not for paying 50% of the bills etc. Eventually my DH decided to retire. It took about 3 years to extricate himself from the business.

A legal representative is a must in my opinion. Otherwise you could be screwed over.

Do you own a third of the company? If you do stop seeing them as 'senior' you need a solicitor, they have one and we are talking about millions.

Don't leave any assets in the company, they could do all sorts to make sure you miss out. Don't be rushed by the holiday or the current situation. Take your time, find a lawyer you are comfortable with and who will fight for you.

The friendships are over and they are playing good cop/bad cop to manipulate you.

This is potentially incredibly complex. I’ve worked in corporate law (although it has been a while now). I’d hire solicitors regardless of how well you all get on. In actual fact, given the figures involved, I feel like if I was P1’s solicitor I would be advising you myself to take independent advice. Firstly because I believe it’s morally the right thing to do and we should act in good faith, secondly because i wouldn’t want anything to be set aside at a later date on the basis that you didn’t understand what you were agreeing to.

I’d also be taking tax advice

You have two EX- friends playing good cop/bad cop to wheedle info from you and manipulate and guilt trip you to get what they want. Don’t be soggy. Get a shit hot lawyer - SHL - and let them do the legwork.