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  • Writer's pictureLori Hammer

Breaking Up with Your Business Partner: Divorcing as Co-Owners


Family Law resolutions offer opportunities to make a fresh start and improve your life. For help with your divorce, parentage, including child support and parenting time, prenuptial or postnuptial agreements in Chicago, call Angela Larimer at 773-370-0600 or email Angela at angela@larimerlawllc.com.


Divorce is never a walk in the park, but what about when your business partner is also your spouse? It's like trying to untangle headphone wires – tricky, but not impossible. In this blog, we're diving into the nitty-gritty of divorcing when you're co-owners of a business, and offering up some friendly advice to help you through.


1. Sorting Out Your Personal and Professional Lives

Picture this: your wedding album sitting next to your business plan. Yup, that's the reality for many co-owning couples. The first step? Sort out what's personal and what's professional:

  • Take a peek at your business's legal structure to understand who owns what.

  • Get cozy with spreadsheets to figure out how much your business is worth.

  • Draw a clear line between what's yours, theirs, and the business's to make splitting things up a bit easier.

2. Keeping Your Business Afloat

Your business is like a plant – it needs love and attention to thrive. But what happens when divorce is throwing a curveball? Here's how to keep your business ship sailing smoothly:

  • Cook up a plan for who's going to take the reins post-divorce.

  • Think about setting up agreements that outline what happens if one of you wants to bail.

  • Make sure your business keeps running like a well-oiled machine by having backup plans in place.

3. Dividing the Pie Fairly

Splitting up your business is a bit like cutting a cake – you want to make sure everyone gets a fair slice. Here's how to divvy up the goods without any squabbles:

  • Look at how much each of you has put into the business – money, time, and skills.

  • Get creative with solutions, like one of you buying out the other or sharing ownership with clear rules.

  • Keep an eye on those pesky tax implications and get some expert advice if you're not sure where to start.

4. Keeping the Peace (and the Business Running)

Divorce can be a bit like a tornado, swirling everything around in its path. Here's how to keep your business from getting swept up:

  • Keep your employees and customers in the loop – they're like family too!

  • Have backup plans for when things get a bit rocky.

  • Remember, the business's well-being comes first, so try to keep personal conflicts out of the office.

5. Getting Some Expert Help

When it comes to navigating the maze of divorce and business ownership, sometimes you need a guide. Don't be afraid to reach out to pros who know their stuff – it could save you a lot of headaches down the road.


So there you have it – divorcing when you're co-owners of a business might be a bit like walking a tightrope, but with a bit of planning and a whole lot of patience, you'll make it to the other side in one piece. Chin up – there's light at the end of the tunnel!


This blog post aims to offer up some friendly advice for those going through the rollercoaster of divorcing while also being business partners. It's all about finding that delicate balance between personal and professional, and coming out the other side stronger than ever.


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