State Tax Issue: stock option exercise timing

I publish illustrative scenarios prepared by my practice. All participants and conversations are fictional. The fictional posts are not posts by real users, accounts of client experiences, or reports of actual results.
Illustrative scenario prepared by my practice.
For informational purposes only. This is not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction. Consult a qualified attorney for advice specific to your situation.
Hypothetical question

I'm in a difficult situation and trying to figure out my next steps.

stock option exercise timing. I've been dealing with this for about 2 weeks now and the situation isn't improving.

I have already consulted briefly with a lawyer but did not get a clear answer.

What's the typical outcome in situations like this?