Trapped with gf, could lose everything

[stupididiotbastard]

Trapped w/ gf who’s listed as co founder on our company

I stupidly listed my gf as a co founder on our shared company years ago. Trying to separate while maintaining the company (extremely profitable) would mean that I would lose a proportion of wealth that I’m not prepared to do.

I have fallen out of love with her after almost a decade together. I’ve met someone else and I want to leave her but I can’t. The current compromise is that we will be in an open relationship. I’ve fallen in love with someone else who is not comfortable with the open relationship.

I honestly don’t know what to do. Is there any way I can separate without her nuking my life and finances? Anyone have any experience with separating from a co director?

Take proper legal advice.

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

Lovely 🙄

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

I bet it was tax reasons.

In which case literally FAFO.

These men never do.

@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.

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.

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

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

“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.

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!

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

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

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

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.

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.

I'm assuming neither of you started a new relationship, before you broke up though - tends to leave it a bit more amicable!

It's not 'your' life and finances.

Its 'both of your' lives and finances.

And she's entitled to her share. You buy her out if you want to keep the company, or you sell it and split the proceeds based on your shares.

If the company had gone bust, would you have offered to pick up all the debts and let her walk away?

I didn’t think so.

Get legal advice to buy her out, end the relationship and move on. Far better than trying to shaft her financially surely - only fair for one thing, and likely less costly if it all goes tits up and gets nasty.

Buy her out, you utter cunt

Oh dear.
🙄

Agreed!

Not only do you want to fleece your gf of as much money as possible from your company, you're also after free legal/financial advice from anyone who is prepared to offer it on MN. You are a piece of work. You want good legal advice then pay for it!

She's a co founder so she's owed half the value of the company. Buy her out you weasel.