Partnerships Flashcards
what is a partnership?
1) an association of two or more persons 2) who form and operate a for-profit business 3) as co-owners
can a corporation/entity form a partnership?
Yes. RUPA defines a “person” as an individual or legal entity, such as a corporation, limited liability company (LLC), trust, estate, governmental entity, or partnership.
is specific intent required to form a valid partnership?
No. To form a partnership, at least two persons must intend to carry on a business for profit as co-owners.
It is not required that the persons specifically intend to create a partnership out of the business
can an incapacitated person or minor enter into a partnership?
No. A person needs legal capacity to form a partnership. This excludes minors, inebriated people, and mental incompetents
When is co-ownership, a necessary element of a partnership, created?
When the partners share control and share profits.
do partnership agreements need to be written?
No. If a partnership agreement isn’t written, then default state laws will govern the partnership
are partners liable for the partnership’s obligations?
Yes. The partners are personally liable.
What happens if the partnership agreement is written?
Then the written terms will govern the partnership, not the default state laws.
Exception is when the default state law is mandatory
What state laws are typically mandatory, and therefore unwaivable by a written partnership agreement?
1) liability to third parties cannot be waived
2) Cannot deny partners access to books and records
3) Fiduciary duties cannot be waived
Can partnerships be taxed in their own name?
No. The partnership members can be taxed and have their profits from the partnership taxed on an individual level, but the partnership as an entity cannot be taxed
what fiduciary duties do partner members owe?
Partners are fiduciaries of the partnership and owe a duty of loyalty and care to the partnership and the other partners
what actions can constitute a breach of a partner’s owed duty loyalty?
1) advancing an interest that is antithetical/harmful to the partnership
2) usurping a partnership opportunity for themself
3) competing with the partnership business
Can a partner limit/edit their fiduciary duty of loyalty?
The duty of loyalty cannot be eliminated. However, it can be limited by describing it differently in the partnership agreement, so long as the limitation isn’t manifestly unreasonable
what is a safe harbor in relation to the fiduciary duty of loyalty?
If a partner is worried that something they’re doing violates their duty of loyalty, they can fully disclose what they’re doing to the other partners
If a certain percentage of the partners may authorize/ratify the transaction
What could violate a partner’s duty of care?
1) engaging in grossly negligent or reckless conduct
2) intentional misconduct
3) engaging in a knowing violation of the law
are the duties of loyalty and care owed by prospective partners or former partners?
No, the fiduciary duties only apply to current partners
Other than the fiduciary duties of loyalty and care, are there other obligations a partner owes to the partnership?
Yes, the obligation of good faith and fair dealing
The partnership agreement cannot eliminate this obligation, but it can prescribe reasonable standards by which it’s measured
How are the partnership profits and losses divided amongst the partners?
The division of profits and losses is generally dictated or determined by agreement.
how are the profits and losses divided when the partnership agreement is silent about profit division?
The profits are divided evenly amongst all partners
The losses are divided based on the profits (ex. if Partner X gets 70% of the profits, then Partner X is liable for 70% of the losses)
what is a distribution in the context of partnerships?
a payment of profits to a partner
What is the default rule for distributions?
Partners do not have the right to demand/force a distribution
Partners can agree in advance to allow distributions to be made according to the partnership
agreement
Can a partner transfer their partnership interest to a third party?
Yes, although this right can be limited in the partnership agreement, such as requiring a majority vote of the other partners to approve the transfer of one partner’s interest to another person
Can a new partner freely enter a partnership?
No. The default rule is that all the other partners must consent to the new partner coming in
Again, default rule can be limited by terms in the partnership agreement
If a partner transfers their partnership interest to a third party, does that mean the partner is now kicked out of the partnership?
No. Transferring an interest to a third party does not trigger the partner’s dissociation from the partnership.
The transferor partner retains all rights and duties of a partner in the partnership apart from an interest
How are partnerships governed?
Every partner has an equal right in the governance/control of the partnership.
This can be changed by language in the partnership agreement
How are the ordinary business activities of the partnership governed?
Ordinary business requires a vote of the majority of partners.
Again, can be changed via language in partnership agreement
Can partners have their right to books and records restricted?
No. A partner and their agents have the right to look at the partnership’s books and records
Cannot be limited/changed by partnership agreement
How are the extraordinary business activities of the partnership governed?
Extraordinary business requires a vote of the majority of partners.
What is dissociation?
when a partner ceases to be associated with the partnership, either voluntary or involuntary