Chapter 14 Flashcards
Sole Proprietorship
A form of business in which the owner is actually the business; the business is not a separate legal entity.
Entrepreneur
A person who forms and operates a business either by himself or herself or with others.
Sole Proprietor
The owner of the business.
Trade Name
A sole proprietorship can operate under the name of the sole proprietor or a trade name. Ex. the author of this book can operate a sole proprietorship under the name “Henry R. Cheeseman” or under a trade name such as “The Big Cheese”.
d.b.a (doing business as)
Operating under a trade name is commonly designated as d.b.a (doing business as). Ex. Henry R. Cheeseman, doing business as “The Big Cheese”
Fictitious Business Name Statement or Certificate of Trade Name
Most states require every business that operates under a trade name to file a fictitious business name statement (or certificate of trade name) with the appropriate government agency.
Unlimited Personal Liability
Creditors may recover claims against the business from the sole proprietor’s personal assets. Ex. home, automobile, and bank accounts
General Partnership or Ordinary Partnership
An association of two or more persons to carry on as co-owners of a business for profit.
General Partner
A partner of a general partnership who is liable for the debts and obligations of the general partnership.
Uniform Partnership Act (UPA)
A model act that codifies partnership law. Most states have adopted the UPA in whole or in part.
Entity Theory
Considers partnerships as separate legal entities. Ex. partnerships can hold title to personal and real property, transact business in the partnership name, and the like.
Agreement
To form a partnership may be oral, written, or implied from the conduct of the parties.
Partnership Agreement or Articles of Partnership
A written agreement that partners sign.
Right to Participate in Management
Unless otherwise agreed, each partner’s right to participate in the management of a partnership and right to an equal vote on partnership matters.
Right to Share in the Profits
Considered to be the right to share in the earnings from the investment of capital.
Action for an Accounting
A formal judicial proceeding in which the court is authorized to (1) review the partnership and the partner’s transactions and (2) award each partner his or her share or the partnership assets.
Joint and Several Liability
Tort liability of partners together and individually. With this type of liability, a plaintiff can sue one or more partners separately. If successful, the plaintiff can recover the entire amount of the judgement from any or all of the defendant-partners.
Indemnification
A partnership and partners who are made to pay tort liability may seek indemnification from the partner who committed the wrongful act.
-Damages: a sum of money paid in compensation for loss or injury.