Frequently asked questions

In most cases yes. New York recognises oral contracts, and message history, transfer records and delivery notes can together establish what was agreed. What matters is a complete chain: what was agreed, what you performed, what remains unpaid.

The first step is establishing whether you are, in law, a shareholder or a creditor — the remedies differ entirely. Transfer records, evidence of participation in management and how you were held out externally can all help reconstruct the original arrangement, though it is harder than for a registered holder.

Where the company is genuinely deadlocked and statutory conditions are met, dissolution can be sought. But it is the worst financial outcome — liquidation value is far below going-concern value. In practice the application mainly serves to bring the other side back to the table.

Verify first. An asset check can identify bank accounts, property, vehicles and operating businesses. If there is genuinely nothing collectible we'll suggest waiting — judgments generally remain valid for a long period and can be enforced later.

Limitation periods vary by claim type; for debts under a written contract in New York it is generally six years. But when the period started and whether it was interrupted both affect the analysis, so earlier advice gives you more options.