united-states corporate-law shareholders
I am a shareholder in a Private C-Corp, what are my rights?
<p>I am a shareholder in a private c-corp. I am trying to get financial records for the company and they are ignoring me. I believe this is my right as a shareholder. What options do I have? Am I mistaken about my rights?</p>

<p>Your rights arise from the corporation statute and the bylaws. Almost all U.S. states give shareholders a non-waiveable statutory right to examine the financial records of a corporation in which they own shares, although the details of what must be produced can vary and can often be reasonably adjusted in the bylaws. Sometimes a written demand in a statutory format must be given first.</p>

<p>You could have the right to bring suit in a court with jurisdiction over the corporation to have the records disclosed. In some states, this would be in a special expedited proceeding, while in others it would be an ordinary lawsuit. Often, if a court order is needed to obtain the records the corporation is also obligated to pay your attorneys' fees. </p>
