Five years ago my sister and I launched a new magazine. She wanted to be publisher. I took the job of editor. We became quite successful in those five short years. I enjoy being editor and have become quite popular with our readers and in the field in which we publish in general. I built a good staff and we work well together. Six months ago my sister decided she wanted me out of the business. We have two very different styles for getting things done. Mine apparently irritates her. Her proposal was to give me a sum for my share of the business. I thought it was low. She said it was based on her sense of what our business was worth. That didn't seem fair to me. After all it was my success as editor that helped build the business. I thought I deserved a lot more for my share of the business. Really, we were 50:50 partners. That's when I contacted WDPC. I asked them to valuate the business so to give me a picture of what my share is really worth. I was able to provide them with complete business records for the past three years and of course copies of our back issues. Not only did they carefully scrutinize all that, but they surveyed the market we're in. I mean the size of the ad market, the audience potential, and the competing publications. The valuation they came up with really blew me away. Our little 'ol publication was really worth something. This valuation had an extra kicker in it. WDPC pointed out that my departure would create an element of uncertainty that would bring down the value. Their point was that I was a known successful quantity and valued by our readers. A new editor may or may not be so successful. I presented that to my sister's attorney and suggested that her low-ball valuation was playing upon the devaluation of the business that would come from me being forced out. The lawyer had no comeback for that and I ended up with a very fair settlement.