Experienced Representation In Business Law, Estate Planning And Tax Law

We have been serving the legal needs of clients in the Godfrey area for more than four decades. Our attorneys make the law accessible to our clients, explaining complex legal concepts in plain English and helping them make well-informed decisions about the future.
Schedule A Consultation With An Attorney
Farrell, Hamilton & Julian, P.C. Office Building

Experienced Representation In Business Law, Estate Planning And Tax Law

Experienced Representation In Business Law, Estate Planning And Tax Law

We have been serving the legal needs of clients in the Godfrey area for more than four decades. Our attorneys make the law accessible to our clients, explaining complex legal concepts in plain English and helping them make well-informed decisions about the future.
Schedule A Consultation With An Attorney
Phone:

What should your partnership agreement contain?

On Behalf of | Mar 19, 2020 | business law |

If you contemplate setting up your new business as a partnership, your partnership agreement will become your foundation document. As such, it should not only be written, but also carefully drafted so as to cover all major potential issues that could arise. 

FindLaw advises that partnership agreements can become long and complicated. Nevertheless, yours should contain clauses relating to any and all areas of possible conflict you foresee. Furthermore, it should contain a dispute resolution clause that sets forth the procedure, such as mediation, arbitration, etc. that you and your partners will follow if and when a dispute actually does arise. 

Ownership and duties 

Your partnership agreement should list the specific type(s) and amount of capital contribution that each partner makes to your partnership. These can include not only cash, but also any of the following: 

  • Securities 
  • Property 
  • Any other type of asset 
  • Special knowledge and/or skill 

Be sure to set forth the ownership interest each partner obtains as as result of his or her contribution. 

Your agreement should likewise contain a detailed list of the precise partnership duties each partner will assume, including any of the following that applies: 

  • Management decisions 
  • Authority level 
  • Top-level duties 

Financials 

Partners normally share in the partnership’s profits and losses based on their respective ownership interest. If you intend to use a different allocation method, be sure your partnership agreement thoroughly explains it. Furthermore, if you intend to allow partners to take regular draws from their respective profits, you need to state this, too, plus any draw limitations. 

Finally, your agreement needs to specify the portion of partnership liabilities each partner will personally assume should your business fail and it declares bankruptcy. Again, each partner’s liability assumption percentage generally matches his or her ownership interest, but you may use a different calculation. Just make sure your partnership agreement states it clearly. 

Archives

FindLaw Network