Partnership Flashcards
(41 cards)
How is a partnership formed?
a partnership is formed as soon as two or more people ASSOCIATE to carry on as CO-OWNERS of a business for PROFIT
Do you need a formal agreement to form a partnership?
No, the parties intent may be implied from their conduct
What raises the presumption of partnership?
Sharing of profits raises a presumption
(unless payment of debt, services, rendered, rent payment, annuity or retirement benefit, interest on a loan, sale of goodwill)
What factors do not raise a presumption of partnership?
- title held in joint tenancy or in common
- parties designate their relationship as a partnership
- venture undertaken by the parties requires extensive activity
- sharing of gross returns
Is there liability to a person who holds out to be a partner?
yes, liability by estoppel. when a person by words or conduct represents themselves as a partner, they’ll be liable to third parties
Who is the principal and who is the agent in a partnership?
Partnership = principal partners = agents
What is apparent authority?
a. act of any partner;
b. for carrying on in the ordinary course of business or business in kind carried out by the partnership;
c. binds the partnership unless:
- the partner had no authority to act AND
- the person with whom the partner was dealing KNEW or had received NOTIFICATION that the partner lacked authority
Does it matter that a 3rd party should have known the partner lacked authority to act?
NO only if they actual knew or received notification
What % of vote is required to authorize ordinary business?
majority vote
What types of liability are partners liable for?
all contracts entered into by a partner in the scope of partnership business or authority of the partnership
all torts committed by any partner or employee within the ordinary course of business
What is the nature and extent. of partnership liability?
Joint and several for ALL obligations of the partnership and individually liable for the entire amount of partnership obligations
What is the liability of an incoming partner?
an incoming partner is not personally liable for obligations incurred by the partnership before the person became partner BUT their capital contribution can be used for that purpose
What is the liability of an outgoing partner?
an outgoing partner remains liable for obligations arising while they were partner unless there has been release, payment, or novation
can also be liable for acts after dissociation - retain liability until actual notice is given to creditors OR 90 days after filing a notice of dissociation with SCC
Are partners generally liable for criminal crimes of another partner?
No, unless the partners participated
What are the first three steps in a partnership question?
(1) formation
(2) liability
(3) estoppel
What duties are owed to partners?
Fiduciary duties: loyalty and care
What is the duty of loyalty?
requires that the partner:
1) not make a secret profit
(2) not engage in self-dealing
(3) not compete with the partnership (usurp opportunities
Recourse for a breach of duty?
Action for accounting - recoup losses or disgorge profits
What is the duty of care?
Refrain from negligent, reckless, or unlawful conduct or intentional misconduct
What is partnership property?
everything that the partnership owns, including both capital and property subsequently acquired in partnership transactions
Titled property is deemed partnership property if:
- it is titled to the property
- it is titled in the name of 1 or more partners and the instrument transferring title notes the titleholder’s capacity as a partner or existence of the partnership
When is property PRESUMED to be partnership property?
if it was purchased with partnership funds, regardless of whose name title is held
When is property presumed to be partner’s separate property?
(1) if property is held in the name of one or more partners;
(2) the instrument transferring title doesn’t indicate the person’s capacity as a partner or mention the partnership; AND
(3) partnership funds weren’t used to acquire the property
What are the rights of partners in partnership property?
a partner isn’t a co-owner and thus has no transferrable interest in specific property of the partnership