Free guide — 14 pages

Everything about the shareholders' agreement

Everything you need to know about shareholders' agreements: decision-making clauses, share transfer rules, departure planning, non-compete and confidentiality protections, and how to get started.

  • Complete 14-page guide in English
  • Written by legal experts
  • No commitment required
  • Instant delivery by email
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Guide contents

What's inside the guide

A comprehensive guide to shareholders' agreements, from corporate governance fundamentals to decision-making clauses and departure planning.

Shareholders' Agreement Guide
01
Corporations & legal security
What is a corporation, its key actors (shareholders, directors, officers), and how it provides superior legal security and limited liability protection.
02
What is a shareholders' agreement
The purpose and scope of a shareholders' agreement, what it covers, and why it should be signed the moment you incorporate — like a marriage contract for business.
03
Why sign an agreement
Three key reasons: anticipate conflicts and protect IP, regulate the transfer of shares, and implement practical solutions tailored to your business.
04
Decision-making clauses
Ordinary vs special resolutions, voting majorities (50% vs 2/3), unanimous consent requirements, and how classes of shares affect decision-making power.
05
Departure & exclusivity
Planning for shareholder departure (voluntary or forced), death clauses, and exclusivity protections: non-compete, non-solicitation, and confidentiality clauses.
06
The Lexstart method
Our simplified 4-step process to get your shareholders' agreement drafted online by a lawyer, at a fixed and affordable price.
Why this guide

What you'll learn

Practical, actionable information to help you protect your business and your shareholder relationships.

Conflict prevention
Learn how a well-drafted shareholders' agreement anticipates disputes before they arise, protecting both majority and minority shareholders from costly legal battles.
Share transfer rules
Understand how to regulate the transfer of shares — one of the most frequent sources of conflict between shareholders — including forced buyouts and death clauses.
Exclusivity protections
Discover how non-compete, non-solicitation, and confidentiality clauses ensure shareholder loyalty and protect your company's trade secrets and client relationships.
Governance & voting
Master the decision-making framework: ordinary vs special resolutions, voting thresholds, classes of shares with multiple votes, and preferential dividend rights.
Frequently asked questions

FAQ

Answers to the most common questions about the guide and shareholders' agreements.

Yes, the guide is 100% free with no commitment. We share it to help entrepreneurs better understand shareholders' agreements and make informed decisions for their business.
No, this guide is for informational purposes only. For personalized legal advice, Lexstart can connect you with one of our partner lawyers.
Ideally, the moment you incorporate. Think of it as a marriage contract for your business — relations between shareholders can change quickly, and if you wait until problems occur, it will be too late. Prevention is always better than cure.
While possible, drafting a shareholders' agreement involves many legal considerations and remains a laborious and technical task. With Lexstart, you can get your agreement drafted by a lawyer at a fixed, affordable price using our technology.
Lexstart offers shareholders' agreements at fixed, affordable prices. Our technology handles the document generation, all documents are sent for electronic signature, and we can connect you with our network of professionals for additional needs.

Ready to protect your shareholder relationships?

Download the free guide and discover everything you need to know about shareholders' agreements in Canada.

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