A West Virginia Shareholders Agreement is a legal document that outlines the rights, responsibilities, and obligations of the shareholders in a corporation based in the state of West Virginia. This agreement serves as a blueprint for governing the relationship between the shareholders, as well as establishing the rules for decision-making, ownership percentages, and dispute resolution within the company. In West Virginia, there are several types of Shareholders Agreements based on the specific needs and preferences of the shareholders involved. Some common types include: 1. Basic Shareholders Agreement: This agreement lays out the fundamental provisions for shareholders, covering topics such as dividend distribution, voting rights, and restrictions on share transfers. 2. Voting Agreement: This type of agreement focuses primarily on voting rights within the company, specifying how decisions will be made and weighted, as well as outlining the voting process for particular issues. 3. Buy-Sell Agreement: This agreement establishes the process for buying and selling shares among the shareholders, including the circumstances under which a shareholder may sell their shares, procedures for valuation, and rights of first refusal for existing shareholders. 4. Drag-Along Agreement: A Drag-Along Agreement allows majority shareholders to force minority shareholders to sell their shares if a certain percentage of shares are being sold to a third party. This ensures that all shareholders have the opportunity to sell their stake in the company together. 5. Tag-Along Agreement: This agreement protects minority shareholders by giving them the right to "tag along" and sell their shares when a majority shareholder is selling their stake to a third party. This prevents minority shareholders from being left behind in a change of ownership. 6. Right of First Refusal Agreement: This agreement grants existing shareholders the right to purchase any shares that a shareholder wishes to sell, before those shares can be offered to an outside buyer. This ensures that existing shareholders have the opportunity to maintain or increase their ownership stake in the company. In summary, a West Virginia Shareholders Agreement is a crucial legal document that outlines the terms and conditions governing the relationship between shareholders in a corporation based in West Virginia. By specifying the rights and responsibilities of each shareholder, as well as establishing procedures for decision-making and dispute resolution, these agreements help maintain a harmonious and structured operation within the company.