When Your Business Partner Cuts You Out: What To Do Next

You and your business partner started this with shared goals, late-night plans, and a lot of trust. Then, out of nowhere, decisions start happening without you—new vendors, surprise hires, contracts you never saw. It stings, and it’s confusing. If you’ve asked yourself, what should I do if my business partner is making decisions without me?, you’re in very familiar company. Nakase Law Firm Inc. often receives inquiries from business owners wondering, what should I do if my business partner is making decisions without me?, highlighting how common and impactful this problem can be. So, let’s slow things down, take a breath, and map out a practical path forward that protects both your role and the business.

Here’s a quick lens to look through as you read: not every solo decision is a power grab. Sometimes it’s a rushed call made under pressure; other times it’s a pattern that needs firm boundaries. California Business Lawyer & Corporate Lawyer Inc. frequently advises clients on questions like what is unilateral action and how is it used in contracts?, because clarity on that point helps partners spot when their rights are being edged out. And yes, we’ll talk about tools you can use right away—no legal jargon fog, just clear steps.

Spotting the pattern early

The first clue is often small. A supplier gets switched, and you hear after the fact. Then comes a new software subscription you didn’t approve. Next thing you know, there’s a signed agreement sitting in your inbox with a note that says, “FYI—handled.” One or two mishaps might be forgetfulness. When it keeps happening, you’re not imagining it—the ground rules are getting rewritten without your voice.

A café co-owner once noticed that her partner kept authorizing free catering “for exposure.” The first time was a shrug. The fourth time, payroll got tight. That’s how it shows up: tiny leaks that turn into a cash problem, followed by late-night worry about what else you don’t know.

Why this happens

People act alone for different reasons, and knowing the “why” guides your next move. Some think it’s faster to act than to schedule a chat. Others are so sure of their judgment that they skip the check-in. A few assume a choice is “minor,” so they don’t bother looping you in. And yes, sometimes someone wants more sway in day-to-day calls. So, step one is simple: figure out which kind of situation you’re facing, and then respond with equal parts calm and backbone.

Check your agreement (or the default rules)

If you drafted a partnership agreement at the start, pull it up now. Good agreements spell out which decisions need both signatures, how money thresholds work, and what happens if you hit a stalemate. If that document says big moves need joint approval, you’ve got a clear anchor point.

No agreement? Then the default rules in your state step in. In California, partners share equal management rights. In short, one person doesn’t get to take over; that changes only when both partners agree in writing. So, if solo calls are becoming the norm, the current setup likely doesn’t support that.

First moves that calm the waters

Here’s a simple playbook you can start today:

1. Keep notes. Date the incident, name the decision, attach the proof (invoice, email, contract). This isn’t about drama; it’s about clarity later.

2. Re-read the agreement and mark the sections on approvals, money limits, and dispute steps.

3. Talk face-to-face. Pick a time, keep your tone steady, and stick to the business impact. Try lines like, “When I’m left out, we risk costs and mistakes. Here’s what happened and what we need to change.”

4. Put the fix in writing. For example, “Any purchase over $5,000 needs both signatures,” or “No new hires without a joint review.” Even better, agree on a shared decision log.

Real story: two marketing partners clashed over a six-month software contract one of them signed at 10 p.m. on a Friday. After a tense Monday, they added two simple rules—no contracts signed outside business hours, and all third-party tools need a same-day thumbs-up from both. Friction dropped fast.

Try a guided conversation

If your one-on-one talk stalls, bring in a mediator. Think of mediation as a structured conversation with a traffic cop for tough moments. A neutral pro keeps things on track, helps you both hear the other side, and gets you to a written plan you can follow next week, not next year. It’s private, it’s focused, and it often saves the relationship you’ve built with staff and clients.

Legal paths if it keeps happening

If the unilateral choices roll on, it’s time to get firm. Options can include asking a court to stop the conduct with an injunction, seeking money for losses tied to those choices, or—only when nothing else works—ending the partnership. These are serious steps, so talk through the costs and upside with an attorney who handles this terrain daily. The point isn’t to scorch the earth; it’s to protect the business and your share of it.

The ripple effects you can’t ignore

When leadership isn’t aligned, everyone feels it. Employees start hedging, clients sense the wobble, and your day gets eaten by cleanup instead of growth. One owner described it like this: “I stopped checking our shared inbox because I was afraid of what I’d find.” That’s the hidden cost—lost focus, delayed decisions, and a brand that looks uncertain from the outside. Catch it early, and you save energy, money, and a lot of trust.

Build guardrails so it doesn’t repeat

Strong partnerships run on simple routines:

• A 30-minute weekly sync to review open decisions, vendor changes, and hiring plans.

• A shared document (or project board) that shows what’s pending, who’s deciding, and by when.

• Clear money thresholds with two signatures required above the line.

• A written “pause” rule: if either partner flags a concern, the decision waits until both weigh in.

• A short dispute path: talk, then mediation, then (only if needed) a legal step.

Picture this: every Friday, you both scan a single shared page—one column for decisions coming up, one for approvals, one for roadblocks. No mysteries, no surprises, no “I thought you were fine with it.” That one habit builds more confidence than any pep talk.

Independence without exclusion

A good partnership gives each person room to act in their lane. You don’t need a meeting to order copy paper. The trick is keeping independence from sliding into a one-person show. A simple filter helps: if the choice touches money above your agreed limit, changes your risk profile, or impacts people (like hires, pay, or roles), it’s a joint call. Everything smaller can move faster with individual judgment, and you both stay informed with that shared log.

Why a lawyer helps sooner than later

A quick review with a corporate lawyer can level-set the rules, refresh your agreement, and outline your options if the pattern keeps going. Sometimes a single letter resets behavior; other times you’ll want a fuller plan. Either way, you get a clear map and fewer sleepless nights.

Here’s the path in plain steps: collect the facts, check the rules, have the talk, write the fix, and, if needed, bring in a mediator. If the behavior keeps going, seek legal relief that protects your share and the business you built. Partnerships thrive when both voices count. If yours isn’t being heard, this is the moment to speak up—firmly, calmly, and with a plan that keeps the business strong for the long run.

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