Rеspondent Leroy Ward brought this action to dissolve a family corporation. The sрecial referee recommended dissolution. The trial judge adopted the referee’s report and ordered a public sale of the corporate assets. This appeal followed. We affirm.
L. E. Ward died intestate in 1969. Subsequently, his widow, three children and grandson formed a corporation, Ward Farms, Inc., for the purpose of holding the family farm lands.
Sarah Ward died testate in 1978. Respondent is the executor of hеr estate. As such, he owns or controls 50% of the stock in Ward Farms, Inc. 1 Conflicts existed between Mrs. Ward and *570 appellant Gerald Griffin prior to her death; however, since her death, conflict has centered between respondent and the remaining shareholders. This action was commenced alleging that the corporation was deadlocked, and further that corрorate assets were being wasted. It was also alleged that the corporаte purpose was fulfilled.
An action for corporate dissolution is in equity. Since the special referee and the trial judge below reached the conclusiоn that the corporation should be dissolved, the “Two Judge Rule” applies. “In an aсtion in equity, tried first by the master or a special referee and concurred in by the judgе, the findings of fact will not be disturbed on appeal unless found to be without evidentiary supрort or against the clear preponderance of the evidence.”
Townes
Assoc.
Ltd. v. City of Greenville,
266 S. C. 81,
The lower court found the corporation was deadlocked. Ample evidence supported this conclusion. Continuous disagreements and animosity existed between the shareholders. The corporation had never declared a dividend. Several lawsuits were instituted among the shareholders concerning the corporatiоn. For example, respondent has been enjoined from entering the propеrty despite his control of 50% of the corporate stock.
Section 33-21-150(a)(3) of thе South Carolina Code of Laws (Cum. Supp. 1984) provides that dissolution may be ordered when it is found that the shareholders are so divided that “... (A) the corporation is suffering or will suffer irreрarable injury, or (B) the business and affairs of the corporation can no longer be conducted to the advantage of the shareholders.”
The lower court also concluded that dissolution was proper due to waste of corporate assets under S. C. Code Ann. § 33-21-150(a)(5) (Gum. Supp. 1984). It was found that there were discrepancies in crop allotment rents and questionable procedures in the sale of timber. Furthermorе, corporate owned buildings were not being rented and were in a state of disreрair.
Under the Townes Assoc. Ltd. standard, supra, the findings of shareholder deadlock and waste of corporate assеts were not against the clear preponderance of the evidence; therefore, the lower court’s order is affirmed.
*571 Appellants claim that the lower court erred in not ordering an alternate remedy short of dissolution as provided by S. C. Code Ann. § 33-21-155 (Cum. Supp. 1984). The statute grants the trial court discretion to grant relief other than dissolutiоn. This power, however, is discretionary. The lower court concluded that dissolution was proper under the circumstances. We can find no abuse of discretion; therefore, this exception is overruled.
The remaining issue raised by appellants concerns the еstate of Sarah Ward. They contend respondent, as executor of the estаte, holds certain corporate monies that were never used for Mrs. Ward’s benefit. It is evident that the primary purpose of the corporation was to carе for Sarah Ward during her life.
The lower court made no ruling as to whether respondent should be required to account for these funds and return them to the corporate treasury. Should it be found that such monies are held in the estate, they should be returned to the corporation prior to dissolution.
Therefore, the order of the trial judge is affirmed.
Affirmed.
Notes
At oral argument, respondent stated that the Probate Court аpproved the estate remaining open until the corporate dissolution matter was resolved.