Partnership Agreement: Definition, Benefits, Key Terms

Trustpilot

ContractsCounsel has assisted 299 clients with partnership agreements and maintains a network of 195 business lawyers available daily. These lawyers collectively have 31 reviews to help you choose the best lawyer for your needs. Customers rate lawyers for partnership agreement matters 4.9.

What Is a Partnership Agreement?

A partnership agreement is an internal business contract that outlines specific business practices for the partners of a company. This document helps establish rules for how the partners will manage business responsibilities, ownership and investments, profits and losses, and company management. While the word partners often refer to two people, in this context there's no limit to how many partners can form a business partnership.

Partnership agreements go by different names depending on the state and industry in which they're formed. You might know partnership agreements as:

Partnership agreements help answer, "What happens if. " questions before they come up in practice to ensure the company runs smoothly. The three main types of partnership agreements are:

See Partnership Agreement Pricing by State

Partnership agreements help establish clear boundaries and expectations regardless of whether your partnership is general, limited, or limited liability.

Benefits of a Partnership Agreement

Partnership agreements offer a host of benefits to those business owners who create one. A few of the most substantial benefits include:

Potential Consequences

When you start your business, the division of labor and resources between partners might seem obvious, so you might not think it's worthwhile to create a partnership agreement. Unfortunately, your business might suffer negative consequences in the future without one.

Elements of a Partnership Agreement

Most partnership agreements share some common elements. When you're drafting yours, ensure you include the following categories:

When to Use a Partnership Agreement

Partnership agreements are for two or more people entering into a for-profit business relationship to use. Almost always, the partners establish a partnership agreement before going into business or just after establishing their company. In some cases, partners create partnership agreements after the fact to ensure everyone has a clear understanding of how the company operates, but it's best to have the agreement established and signed before opening your business's doors.

How to Write a Partnership Agreement

You have several options when establishing a partnership agreement. Since every state has its own laws governing formal business partnerships, you could start by reviewing the state's rules through your Department of State. Another option is to look for templates you can use to simply fill in or guide you as you structure your own partnership agreement. Finally, you can consult an attorney who specializes in contract law. Contract lawyers can help you create a custom partnership agreement.

Here is an article on how to write a partnership agreement.

Using an Attorney

Contract lawyers are your best course of action for establishing an effective partnership agreement. They'll know what's necessary to include for your state and industry and can help ensure that you've thought of and described every possible scenario and element for your business for the smoothest management experience.

Additionally, the use of an attorney ensures a mediating third party who can help ease any initial disagreements and maintain fairness within the contract. Contract attorneys are well-versed in writing legal documents, so they'll use specific language that will offer clear guidance later if needed rather than vague statements that might have seemed sufficient when originally written but are unclear years later.

Related Documents

Besides your partnership agreement, you might benefit from producing several other contractual business documents to ensure the smooth management of your company.

Partnership agreements are a necessary contract for any professional partnership. They help protect all partners financially and can ease any potential tensions throughout the life of the business. Consult with a lawyer to ensure your partnership agreement fully covers the elements of a partnership.

The Importance of Having a Partnership Agreement

Partnership agreements can resolve potential conflicts between partners. Disagreements may arise around issues, such as ownership division, roles and responsibilities, and asset division, without clearly defined terms and conditions.

Partners should enter into a formal agreement to ensure that both parties form and manage it correctly while avoiding partner conflicts. Disputes can result in expensive legal proceedings and unnecessary financial losses for all parties when contracts don’t address issues adequately.

Types of Partnerships

Partnerships are businesses with two or more business owners. Each partner contributes to the businesses’ financial or operational aspects in exchange for profit & loss (P&L). There are different types of partnerships to address the unique needs of your specific business situation.

There are four partnership types to consider:

Various provisions surround the partnership types. A contract lawyer will ensure that you walk away with an amicable agreement for your relationship, industry, company size, and business needs.

ContractsCounsel is not a law firm, and this post should not be considered and does not contain legal advice. To ensure the information and advice in this post are correct, sufficient, and appropriate for your situation, please consult a licensed attorney. Also, using or accessing ContractsCounsel's site does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and ContractsCounsel.

Need help with a Partnership Agreement?

Create a free project posting Draft Contract Review Contract Clients Rate Lawyers 4.9 Stars based on 12,193 reviews

Meet some of our Partnership Agreement Lawyers

Phocus L.

Free Consultation Member Since:
September 16, 2021

Phocus L.

Free Consultation Phoenix, AZ, USA 13 Yrs Experience Licensed in AZ, CA Georgetown University Law Center

G'day, my name is Michele! I work with startups, entrepreneurs and small/medium-sized businesses across the country in a wide array of industries. I help them with all of their ongoing, daily legal needs. This includes entity formation, M&A, contract drafting and review, employment, asset sale & acquisition, and business sales or shareholder exits. I'm half-Australian, half-Italian, and I've lived the last 20+ years of my life in America. I've lived all over the USA, completing high school in the deep south, graduating cum laude from Washington University in St. Louis, and then cum laude from Georgetown University Law Center. After law school I worked for the Los Angeles office of Latham & Watkins, LLP. After four intense and rewarding years there, I left to become General Counsel and VP of an incredible, industry-changing start-up called Urban Mining Company (UMC) that manufactures rare earth permanent magnets. I now work for Phocus Law where I help run our practice focused on entrepreneurs, startups, and SMEs. I love what I do, and I'd love to be of help! My focus is on providing stress-free, enjoyable, and high-quality legal service to all of my clients. Being a good lawyer isn't enough: the client experience should also be great. But work isn't everything, and I love my free time. I've been an avid traveler since my parents put me on a plane to Italy at 9-months old. I'm also a music nut, and am still looking for that perfect client that will engage me to explain why Dark Side Of The Moon is the greatest album of all time. Having grown up in a remote, and gorgeous corner of Australia, I feel a strong connection to nature, and love being in the elements.

Benjamin E.

Managing Partner Free Consultation Member Since:
July 7, 2021

Benjamin E.

Managing Partner Free Consultation Los Angeles 5 Yrs Experience Licensed in CA Southwestern Law School

Benjamin is an attorney specializing in Business, Intellectual Property, Employment and Real Estate.

Bobby H.

Associate Attorney Free Consultation Member Since:
June 22, 2023

Bobby H.

Associate Attorney Free Consultation Atlanta, Georgia 11 Yrs Experience Licensed in GA University of Miami School of Law

Bobby E. Hill, Jr. is a native of Tuscaloosa, Alabama and holds undergraduate degrees in music and business administration from Xavier University of Louisiana. He received his Juris Doctor from the University of Miami School of Law where he was a staff and articles editor for the school’s Race & Social Justice Law Review and a student attorney in the institution’s Immigration Clinic. In addition to freelancing, Bobby is currently a litigation associate at Johnson & Freeman, LLC, a boutique litigation firm in Atlanta, Georgia, where he practices in the firm's Condemnation, Probate, Real Estate Litigation, Real Estate Transactions, E-Discovery and Business and General Civil Litigation Practice areas. In this role, Bobby has acquired appreciable experience in drafting memoranda of law for partners and senior counsel, and all litigation related pleadings including pleadings related to dispositive motions, discovery, appeals, and other post-judgment relief.

Antonella C.

Owner/Managing Partner Free Consultation Member Since:
August 12, 2023

Antonella C.

Owner/Managing Partner Free Consultation Pennsylvania 15 Yrs Experience Licensed in NJ, PA Rutgers University School of Law - Camden

I am a business transactional & trademark attorney with 15 years experience in the law firm and in-house settings. I am barred in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. I currently own my own practice serving businesses and entrepreneurs with business transactional and IP law.

Jacob W.

Real Estate Attorney Free Consultation Member Since:
August 14, 2023

Jacob W.

Real Estate Attorney Free Consultation Charlottesville, VA 6 Yrs Experience Licensed in VA University of Oregon

Background in Engineering, Masters in Business, Licensed Patent Attorney. Reviewed countless title reports, and land contracts. If you have a problem with Real Estate I can solve it.

Jeffrey J.

Business Lawyer Free Consultation Member Since:
September 2, 2023

Jeffrey J.

Business Lawyer Free Consultation El Dorado Hills 3 Yrs Experience Licensed in CA Lincoln Law School

I have been in business development for 15 years before becoming an attorney. As an attorney, I help companies navigate legal challenges that they face.

Anthony V.

Managing Partner Free Consultation Member Since:
August 15, 2023

Anthony V.

Managing Partner Free Consultation 20 Yrs Experience Licensed in NJ, NY Rutgers Law School

Anthony M. Verna III, is the managing partner at Verna Law, P.C. With a strong focus on Trademark, Copyright, Domain Names, Entertainment, and Advertising law, Verna Law, P.C. strives to provide all Intellectual Property services a modern business of any size may need to market and promote itself better. From the very early concept stage, Verna Law, P.C. can conduct a comprehensive, all-encompassing search and analysis on any proposed trademark to head off complications. Once the proposed concept enters the Alpha stage, Verna Law, P.C. can seamlessly switch to handling registration, protection, and if needed, defense of registered trademarks, copyrights, and domain names, as well as prosecution of entities violating said rights. Verna Law, P.C. also provides intellectual property counseling and services tailored to fit into your business’ comprehensive growth strategy. This shows as many of Verna Law, P.C.’s clients are international: from China, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Germany, Verna Law’s reach is worldwide. Additionally, Verna Law, P.C., can handle your business’ Entertainment and Advertising law needs by helping your business create advertising and promotions that keep competitors and regulators at bay. Located in the shadow of New York City, Verna Law, P.C. has a global reach that will provide clients with the most vigorous Intellectual Property advocate available. Anthony M. Verna III is a member of the New York and New Jersey Bars, as well as the U.S. District Court Southern District of New York. He is a sought-after business speaker, including regular appearances at the World Board Gaming Championships, Business Marketing Association of New Jersey, and Columbian Lawyers Association.

Find the best lawyer for your project

Asked on Aug 2, 2024

What are the essential clauses that should be included in a Startup Agreement?

I am in the process of starting a new business venture with a partner and we are in the early stages of drafting a Startup Agreement. We want to ensure that our agreement covers all the necessary aspects to protect both parties' interests and outline the responsibilities and ownership stakes of each partner. We are seeking guidance on the essential clauses that should be included in the agreement to ensure a fair and legally sound foundation for our startup.

Arthur S.

Answered Aug 18, 2024

Basic essential provisions to be considered for inclusion in any form of joint venture agreement. whether it be in the form of an LLC OA, a partnership agreement (general or limited), corporate shareholder agreement or other form of joint venture agreement. are (i) Formation and purpose provisions, (ii) initial and additional capital contribution requirements, (iii) % of ownership, (iii) dilution (or anti-dilution) provisions, (v) decision making and other management and voting rights and obligations, (vi) distribution and tax allocation provisions, (vii) purchase options, e.g. ROFOs and ROFRs, buy/sell provisions, tag along and other purchase/sale options, (viii) withdrawal provisions, (ix) Events of Default provision,(x) controlling jurisdiction/venue provisions, (xi)dissolution.termination provisions, and (xii) transfer rights/restrictions. Of course, each agreement must be drafted in the context of the of any special needs or agreements of the parties.,

Asked on Nov 14, 2023

What is a partnership agreement?

I am starting a business with a partner and we are looking to create a partnership agreement. We want to make sure that all of our rights and responsibilities are clearly outlined in the agreement in order to protect both of us. We want to be sure that we have a clear understanding of our obligations to each other and the business. We also want to make sure that our agreement is legally binding.

Darryl S.

Answered Nov 28, 2023

A partnership agreement is a legally binding contract between two or more partners that clearly outlines the terms of their business relationship. It details each partner's rights, responsibilities, share of ownership and profits, as well as what happens when a partner leaves or dies. Having a clear partnership agreement is crucial for avoiding future disputes or uncertainties that could undermine the partnership.

Asked on Oct 6, 2022

What is a limited partnership agreement?

Being asked to sign one and not sure what it is. I'm trying to create a partnership with a few of my colleagues and I'm concerned about the word 'limited'.

Michael S.

Answered Oct 25, 2022

We really need to know more about the business and how everyone envisions ownership in order to answer the question. In general (and this is very general - I am a PA lawyer, not Tennessee), a limited partnership is an entity through which a business or property is owned. In a limited partnership, you need to have a general partner (either one more individuals or entities) who essentially manage the entity, and also have liability for all liabilities of the general partnership. The limited partners invest in the entity, but have no liability for the entity's obligations.

Asked on Mar 21, 2023

How to exit a general partnership?

I am currently a partner in a general partnership with another individual, but I have decided to leave the partnership for personal reasons. However, I am unsure of the legal steps required to properly exit the partnership, including the distribution of assets and liabilities. Therefore, I would like to seek the guidance of a lawyer to ensure that my exit from the partnership is handled properly and fairly.

Jane C.

Answered Mar 21, 2023

You need to review the partnership agreement to see the procedure for exiting the partnership. The partnership agreement will also address distributions.

Asked on Mar 30, 2021

How do I get out of a partnership agreement?

I am looking at options on how to get out of a business partnership I entered into last year.

Donya G.

Answered Mar 30, 2021

It will depend on what your partnership agreement says. You would have to look to the language of the agreement you signed to determine that. DISCLAIMER The answers to these questions do not constitute legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship with the attorney and anyone who reviews these responses.

Partnership Agreement 195 active lawyers

Quick, user friendly and one of the better ways I've come across to get ahold of lawyers willing to take new clients.

Need help with a Partnership Agreement?

Create a free project posting Draft Contract Review Contract Clients Rate Lawyers 4.9 Stars based on 12,193 reviews
Business lawyers by top cities
Partnership Agreement lawyers by city