Partnerships Flashcards
What is a partnership?
What law governs in Florida?
An association of two or more persons to carry on as co-owners a business for profit.
mutual intent not necessary
Revised Uniform Partnership Act - these are default rules that apply in the absence of a partnership agreement
Conflict between RUPA and partnership agreement, what controls?
Partnership agreement
Except that certain RUPA provisions cannot be waived - e.g., duty of loyalty, the right of a court to expel a partner; right to inspect books and records
Is a formal agreement required to conduct a partnership?
No. Parties intent may be inferred from conduct
Is any writing required ?
Generally, no, but if partners want to remain so for more than a year, SOF applies
What if someone who lacks capacity enters into a partnership agreement?
Partnership remains intact (until steps are taken to dissolve it), but that person’s liability is limited to their capital contribution
What if a partnership is formed for an illegal purpose?
It is void, and courts will not compel an accounting or settlement of a void p’ships affairs
Is consent needed to add partners?
Yes, no one can be added as a partner without the express or implied consent of all partners
What is a Statement of Partnership authority?
-can be filed with Dep’t of state to give constructive knowledge of the extend of a partner’s authority to enter into real estate contracts on behalf if the partnership
When parties’ intent to form a partnership is not clear, what will courts consider?
- Sharing of profits raises a PRESUMPTION of partnership (can be rebutted)
- Evidence indicative of partnership (but does not rise to level of presumption):
- title to property held in JT or TIC - parties designate their relationship as a partnership
- venture requires extensive activity
- sharing of gross returns
What is the personal liability of a person held out as a partner?
- When a person by WORDS or CONDUCT represents himself as a partner OR CONSENTS to being represented by another, he will be liable to third parties who extend credit to the partnership who relied on the representation.
It is not enough that person merely fails to deny a representation of a partnership, he MUST consent or he is not liable.
If you hold out someone else as your partner, is that person able to bind you to third parties?
YES - but that person who you hold out as your partner, is only bound if he knows of or consents to this holding out.
Property deemed to be partnership property under RUPA
- Property titled in partnership name
- Property titled in name of partner but instrument transferring title notes the partner’s capacity or existence of partnership
Property presumed to be partnership property under RUPA
-if it was purchased with partnership funds, regardless of whose name it is held in
Property presumed to be partner’s separate property under RUPA
- held by partner
- instrument transferring title DOES NOT note the partner’s capacity or existence of partnership
Partnership funds WERE NOT used
For UNTITLED property, the Common Law applies. What criteria will court look at to determine ownership of property?
- Purchase property with partnership funds
- Use of the property by the partnership
- Entry of property in partnership books
- Close relationship between property and business operations
- Improvement of property with partnership funds
- Maintenance of property with partnership funds
What are a partner’s rights in partnership property
He IS NOT a co-owner and has no transferable interest; his creditors cannot reach property
What is a partner’s interest in the partnership?
- interest is comprised of his share of partnership profits, losses and distributions, shared equally with other partners.
- interest is personal property, transferable and attachable
How are management rights handled between partners?
-Equal rights to management unless agreement says otherwise
Decisions in ordinary course of business- what vote?
Majority
Decisions outside ordinary course of business
Outside
What fiduciary duties does partner owe to the partnership
Duty of care - refrain from engaging in reckless, negligent or unlawful conduct
Duty of loyalty
What is duty of loyalty?
- account for all profits
- do not deal with partnership as if its adverse
- do not compete with partnership
What does a partner’s account consist of?
partner’s contribution plus partner’s share of profits minus partnership liabilities
Does partner have right to remuneration?
No, except for winding up business
Is a partner entitled to indemnification from other partners ?
Yes, for payments made and personal liabilities reasonably incurred in the ordinary and proper conduct of the business
Where are books and information kept?
At the chief executive offices
Do partners have a right to copy inspect partnership books and records?
Yes, and upon demand, each partner must render true and full information of all things affecting the partnership
Does a judgment against partnership reach individual partner?
No - must sue partners; can do so in same action
Can partnership sue another partner?
Yes for breach of the partnership agreement or fiduciary duty
Can partner sue another partner?
Yes, to enforce rights granted in partnership agreement, RUPA or any other right belonging to partner
What are the rights of partner
- Management
- Distributions
- Remuneration
- Indemnification
- Contribution
- Inspection
- Lawsuits
What acts bind partnership and other partner
Acts taken with actual or apparent authority
-acts ratified by the partnership
What is the standard for finding apparent authority under RUPA
- The act of any partner
- For apparently carrying on in the ordinary course of partnership business or bsuiness in kind
- Binds the partnership UNLESS
a. partner had no authority AND
b. the person KNEW (actual knowledge) or had RECEIVED NOTIFICATION that the partner lacked authority
Under RUPA, when does a partner have notice of a fact
- actual knowledge
- when he is notified , or delivered to his place of business
- had reason to know based on the surrounding circumstances
When is Notice imputed to Partnership
Immediately upon a partner receiving notice
Can a partnership be held liable for a partner’s fraud?
Yes, when the partner is acting within the scope of partnership business.
Not when he is acting outside scope
When can a partnership be liable for a breach of trust?
Partnership is liable if a partner misapplies money or property of a third person received by him within the scope of his apparent authority, or within the ordinary course of business
What types of civil liability do partners face?
Partners are liable for all contracts, all torts, and fraud, when partner is acting w/in scope of apparent authority or actual authority, or in the ordinary course of partnership’s business
Liability is JOINT AND SEVERAL, but partner needs to be sued directly, and partnership assets are exhausted first
What is the liability of an outgoing (dissociated) partner
Remains liable for obligations arising while he was a partner, unless there has been payment, release or novation. Liability generally continues for 90 days after he has filed a notice of dissociation with the state
What is the liability of an incoming partner
No liability for debts incurred before she became partner (except to extent of capital contribution)
Are partners liable for the crimes of another partner?
Not unless they participated as principals or accessories