PARTNERSHIP

Photo by: Yuri Arcurs

In the words of the Uniform Partnership Act, a partnership is "an association of two or more persons to carry on as Co-owners of a business for profit." The essential characteristics of this business form, then, are the collaboration of two or more owners, the conduct of business for profit (a nonprofit cannot be designated as a partnership), and the sharing of profits, losses, and assets by the joint owners. A partnership is not a corporate or separate entity; rather it is viewed as an extension of its owners for legal and tax purposes, although a partnership may own property as a legal entity. While a partnership may be founded on a simple agreement, even a handshake between owners, a well-crafted and carefully worded partnership agreement is the best way to begin the business. In the absence of such an agreement, the Uniform Partnership Act, a set of laws pertaining to partnerships that has been adopted by most states, govern the business.

There are two types of partnerships:

GENERAL PARTNERSHIPS In this standard form of partnership, all of the partners are equally responsible for the business's debts and liabilities. In addition, all partners are allowed to be involved in the management of the company. In fact, in the absence of a statement to the contrary in the partnership agreement, each partner has equal rights to control and manage the business. Therefore, unanimous consent of the partners is required for all major actions undertaken. Be advised, though, that any obligation made by one partner is legally binding on all partners, whether or not they have been informed.

LIMITED PARTNERSHIPS In a limited partnership, one or more partners are general partners, and one or more are limited partners. General partners are personally liable for the business's debts and judgments against the business; they can also be directly involved in the management. Limited partners are essentially investors (silent partners, so to speak) who do not participate in the company's management and who are also not liable beyond their investment in the business. State laws determine how involved limited partners can be in the day-to-day business of the firm without jeopardizing their limited liability. This business form is especially attractive to real estate investors, who benefit from the tax incentives available to limited partners, such as being able to write off depreciating values.

ADVANTAGES OF FORMING A PARTNERSHIP

Collaboration. As compared to a sole proprietorship, which is essentially the same business form but with only one owner, a partnership offers the advantage of allowing the owners to draw on the resources and expertise of the co-partners. Running a business on your own, while simpler, can also be a constant struggle. But with partners to share the responsibilities and lighten the workload, members of a partnership often find that they have more time for the other activities in their lives.

Tax advantages. The profits of a partnership pass through to its owners, who report their share on their individual tax returns. Therefore, the profits are only taxed once (at the personal level of its owners) rather than twice, as is the case with corporations, which are taxed at the corporate level and then again at the personal level when dividends are distributed to the shareholders. The benefits of single taxation can also be secured by forming an S corporation (although some ownership restrictions apply) or by forming a limited liability company (a new hybrid of corporations and partnerships that is still evolving).

Simple operating structure. A partnership, as opposed to a corporation, is fairly simple to establish and run. No forms need to be filed or formal agreements drafted (although it is advisable to write a partnership agreement in the event of future disagreements). The most that is ever required is perhaps filing a partnership certificate with a state office in order to register the business's name and securing a business license. As a result, the annual filing fees for corporations, which can sometimes be very expensive, are avoided when forming a partnership.

Flexibility. Because the owners of a partnership are usually its managers, especially in the case of a small business, the company is fairly easy to manage, and decisions can be made quickly without a lot of bureaucracy. This is not the case with corporations, which must have shareholders, directors, and officers, all of whom have some degree of responsibility for making major decisions.

Uniform laws. One of the drawbacks of owning a corporation or limited liability company is that the laws governing those business entities vary from state to state and are changing all the time. In contrast, the Uniform Partnership Act provides a consistent set of laws about forming and running partnerships that make it easy for small business owners to know the laws that affect them. And because these laws have been adopted in all states but Louisiana, interstate business is much easier for partnerships than it is for other forms of businesses.

Acquisition of capital. Partnerships generally have an easier time acquiring capital than corporations because partners, who apply for loans as individuals, can usually get loans on better terms. This is because partners guarantee loans with their personal assets as well as those of the business. As a result, loans for a partnership are subject to state usury laws, which govern loans for individuals. Banks also perceive partners to be less of a risk than corporations, which are only required to pledge the business's assets. In addition, by forming a limited partnership, the business can attract investors (who will not be actively involved in its management and who will enjoy limited liability) without having to form a corporation and sell stock.

DRAWBACKS OF FORMING A PARTNERSHIP

Conflict with partners. While collaborating with partners can be a great advantage to a small business owner, having to actually run a business from day to day with one or more partners can be a nightmare. First of all, you have to give up absolute control of the business and learn to compromise. And when big decisions have to be made, such as whether and how to expand the business, partners often disagree on the best course and are left with a potentially explosive situation. The best way to deal with such predicaments is to anticipate them by drawing up a partnership agreement that details how such disagreements will be dealt with.

Authority of partners. When one partner signs a contract, each of the other partners is legally bound to fulfill it. For example, if Anthony orders $10,000 of computer equipment, it is as if his partners, Susan and Jacob, had also placed the order. And if their business cannot afford to pay the bill, then the personal assets of Susan and Jacob are on the line as well as those of Anthony. And this is true whether the other partners are aware of the contract or not. Even if a clause in the partnership agreement dictates that each partner must inform the other partners before any such deals are made, all of the partners are still responsible if the other party in the contract (the computer company) was not aware of such a stipulation in the partnership agreement. The only recourse the other partners have is to sue.

The Uniform Partnership Act does specify some instances in which full consent of all partners is required:

Selling the busigood will
Decisions that would compromise the busiability to function normally
Assign partnership property in trust for a creditor or to someone in exchange for the payment of the partnership's debts
Admission of liability in a lawsuit
Submission of a partnership claim or liability to arbitration

Unlimited liability . As the previous example illustrated, the personal assets of the partnership's members are vulnerable because there is no separation between the owners and the business. The primary reason many businesses choose to incorporate or form limited liability companies is to protect the owners from the unlimited liability that is the main drawback of partnerships or sole proprietorships. If an employee or customer is injured and decides to sue, or if the business runs up excessive debts, then the partners are personally responsible and in danger of losing all that they own. Therefore, if considering a partnership, determine your assets that will be put at risk. If you possess substantial personal assets that you will not invest in the company and do not want to put in jeopardy, a corporation or limited liability company may be a better choice. But if you are investing most of what you own in the business, then you don't stand to lose any more than if you incorporated. Then if your business is successful, and you find at a later date that you now possess extensive personal assets that you would like to protect, you can consider changing the legal status of your business to secure limited liability.

Vulnerability to death or departure. Unlike corporations, which exist perpetually, regardless of ownership, general partnerships dissolve if one of the partners dies, retires, or withdraws. (In limited partnerships, the death or withdrawal of the limited partner does not affect the stability of the business.) Even though this is the law governing partnerships, the partnership agreement can contain provisions to continue the business. For example, a provision can be made allowing a buy out of a partner's share if he or she wants to withdraw or if the partner dies.

Limitations on transfer of ownership . Unlike corporations, which exist independently of their owners, the existence of partnerships is dependent upon the owners. Therefore, the Uniform Partnership Act stipulates that ownership may not be transferred without the consent of all the other partners. (Once again, a limited partner is an exception: his or her interest in the company may be sold at will.)

CHOOSING A PARTNER

Because of the need for compromise and the dynamics of shared authority that come along with sharing a business, partnerships can be very difficult to maintain and run efficiently. Therefore, the single most important decision a small business owner has to make when forming a partnership is the choice of a partner. In fact, warns Edward A. Haman, in How to Write Your Own Partnership Agreement , "you should only take on a partner if you absolutely need that person's money or expertise." As an alternative, he advises, you could try to "get the money as a loan, or hire the person as a consultant to get the expertise." But if you decide that forming a partnership is the best choice, consider the following when selecting a partner (anyone may become a partner, except minors and corporations):

ASSETS

How much does your partner own in personal assets? If you own much more than your partner, then creditors will come after you in the event of extensive debts.

PERSONALITY

Do you possess compatible personality types?
How do you each deal with stress?
How do you make decisions? Does your prospective partner tend to talk things through with others or make impulse decisions?

ROLES

What role do each of you intend to take in the business? Are these roles compatible? Do you both hope to be in charge of the accounts or dealing with vendors, for example? Or can you split up the duties in a way that satisfies both of you?

SHARING RESPONSIBILITIES

How much time will your partner contribute to the enterprise?
Can you count on you partner to show up to work on time? Or you will be expected to cover for him?
Is your prospective partner a hard worker, or will he or she routinely leave tasks for you to complete?

GOALS FOR THE BUSINESS

How do each of you envision the future of the business? Do you hope to build up a solid business and then expand to other locations? Does your partner share that vision or does he or she hope only to be able to make a decent living out of one business with fewer responsibilities than would be required if running a chain of stores?

FORMING A PARTNERSHIP

RESERVING A NAME The first step in creating a partnership is reserving a name, which must be done with the secretary of state's office or its equivalent. Most states require that the words "Company" or "Associates" be included in the name to show that more than one partner is involved in the business. In all states, though, the name of the partnership must not resemble the name of any other corporation, limited liability company, partnership, or sole proprietorship that is registered with the state

THE PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT A partnership can be formed in essentially two ways: by verbal or written agreement. A partnership that is formed at will, or verbally, can also be dissolved at will. In the absence of a formal agreement, state laws (the Uniform Partnership Act, except in Louisiana) will govern the business. These laws specify that without an agreement, all partners share equally in the profits and losses of the partnership and that partners are not entitled to compensation for services. If you would like to structure your partnership differently, you will need to write a partnership agreement.

It may be advisable to consult a lawyer before drafting the agreement, but you should at least research the issue on your own. A thorough partnership agreement should generally cover the following areas:

Name and address
Duration of partnership—You can specify a finite date on which all business will terminate or you can include a general clause that explains the partnership will exist until all partners agree to dissolve it or a partner dies.
Purpose of business
Partners' contributions—These may be in cash, property or services. Be sure to determine the value of all non-cash contributions.
Partners' compensation—Determine how profits will be split up and how often. Also decide if any of the partners will receive a salary.
Management Authority—Will partners be able to make some decisions on their own? Which decisions will require the unanimous consent of all partners?
Work hours and vacation
Kinds of outside business activities that will be allowed for partners
Partner withdrawal—Decide how the death, retirement, withdrawal, disability, or death of a partner will be handled through a buy-sell agreement. Also determine whether or not a partner who has simply withdrawn will be allowed to operate a competing business.
Disposition of the partnership's name if a partner leaves
How to handle disputes—Decide whether or not mediation or arbitration will be provided for in the case of disputes that cannot be resolved amongst the partners. This is a way to avoid costly litigation.

RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF PARTNERS

The Uniform Partnership Act defines the basic rights and responsibilities of partners. Some of these can be changed by the partnership agreement, except, as a general rule, those laws that govern the partners' relationships with third parties. In the absence of a written agreement, then, the following rights and responsibilities apply:

RIGHTS

All partners have an equal share in the profits of the partnership and are equally responsible for its losses.
Any partner who makes a payment for the partnership beyond its capital, or makes a loan to the partnership, is entitled to receive interest on that money.
All partners have equal property rights for property held in the partnership's name. This means that the use of the property is equally available to all partners for the purpose of the partnership's business.
All partners have an equal interest in the partnership, or share of its profits and assets.
All partners have an equal right in the management and conduct of the business.
All partners have a right to access the books and records of the partnership's accounts and activities at all times. (This does not apply to limited partners.)
No partner may be added without the consent of all other partners.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Partners must report and turn over to the partnership any income they have derived from use of the partnership's property.
Partners are not allowed to conduct business that competes with the partnership.
Each partner is responsible for contributing his or her full time and energy to the success of the partnership.
Any property that a partner acquires with the intention of it being the partnership's property must be turned over to the partnership.
Any disputes shall be decided by a majority vote.

User Contributions:

farah

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IT GOOD BECAUSE THE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS PARTNERSHIP IS FREE...

L M Verma

What happens to partnership if one partner becomes bankrupt? Is parnership dissolved? What happens to the partnership liability to third parties?

lbeggs

can a partnership of corporations (e.g. physicians who are individually incorportated) chose to maintain the benefits packages of those corporations if they do not duplicate them within the partnership?

If I own property equally with another person and a third party is allowed to invest in that property,(cash capital), does the third party have any legal rights to our collective property/business.

Buzzz

How should the money be distributed when a partnership has won a law suit for the business, and only one partner was involved in the lawsuit. Should the winnings be equally split, or should the person who pursued it get all the money?

Marjorie

Is it the same if I live in New Jersey and my partner lives in California? And will my vote count if I have 30% and my other two partners have 35% each? This site is a blessing thank you. Excellent info!

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