Most disagreements between shareholders are about things nobody wrote down. A short agreement, made while everyone still gets along, prevents most of them.

Decisions

List the decisions that need everyone’s consent, such as new shares, large loans or selling the business.

Leaving

Agree what happens to shares when someone leaves, and how they are valued.

Deadlock

Choose a way out of a stalemate before you need one: a mediator, a casting vote or a buy-out formula.