This, friend has been going through the process himself, except the other 3 current owners(1 selling out his ownership totally), apparently can't decide on how things should be split in the new division. I think in the end my friend will lose 2 good friends and most likely have to fine a new career because of it. It already is getting messy and it just started. Sorry but business with friends IMHO is almost never a good idea unless it's started 100% together and run 100% together with 50/50 interest split up front.