HRS §428-702
How a court decides the buyout value of a membership interest
When a court is asked to set the fair value of a member's interest in a limited liability company, it will look at the company's value, any member agreements on price, appraisals, and legal limits. The court sets the purchase terms, and the member must transfer their interest when paid. If the buyer fails to pay, the company may be dissolved, and a party who acted unfairly may have to pay others' legal costs.
courts
The statute, as written — Court action to determine fair value of distributional interest
(a) In an action brought to determine the fair value of a distributional interest in a limited liability company, the court shall: (1) Determine the fair value of the interest, considering among other relevant evidence the going concern value of the company, any agreement among some or all of the members fixing the price, or specifying a formula for determining the value of distributional interests for any purpose, the recommendations of any appraiser appointed by the court, and any legal constraints on the company's ability to purchase the interest; (2) Specify the terms of the purchase, including if appropriate, terms for installment payments, subordination of the purchase obligation to the rights of the company's other creditors, security for a deferred purchase price, and a covenant not to compete or other restrictions on a dissociated member; and (3) Require the dissociated member to deliver an assignment of the interest to the purchaser upon receipt of the purchase price or the first installment of the purchase price. (b) After an order to purchase is entered, a party may petition the court to modify the terms of the purchase and the court may do so if it finds that changes in the financial or legal ability of the limited liability company or other purchaser to complete the purchase justify a modification. (c) After the dissociated member delivers the assignment, the dissociated member shall have no further claim against the company, or its members, officers, or managers, if any, other than a claim to any unpaid balance of the purchase price and a claim under any agreement with the company or the remaining members that is not terminated by the court. (d) If the purchase is not completed in accordance with the specified terms, the company is to be dissolved upon application under section 428-801(4)(D). If a limited liability company is so dissolved, the dissociated member shall have the same rights and priorities in the company's assets as if the sale had not been ordered. (e) If the court finds that a party to the proceeding acted arbitrarily, vexatiously, or not in good faith, it may award one or more other parties their reasonable expenses, including attorney's fees and the expenses of appraisers or other experts, incurred in the proceeding. The finding may be based on the company's failure to make an offer to pay or to comply with section 428-701(b). (f) Interest shall be paid on the amount awarded from the date determined under section 428-701(a) to the date of payment.
Sections this one refers to
§428-701 When a company must buy a member's share
§428-801 When a Limited Liability Company Must Close Down
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