Sample Business Partnership Agreement Template PDF

Business Partnership Agreement Template

A business partnership agreement is a legal document between partners that define the working relationship between two parties. A business partnership agreement details the purpose of the business, each partner’s respective contributions, and other details related to the business venture.

This business partnership template is a general partnership agreement that is flexible and easy to follow.
This sample partnership agreement is designed to help you draft your own customized partnership agreement.
A business partnership agreement is necessary when two parties are interested in forming a business.
A partnership agreement is an important document that acts to protect each party from any potential conflicts or legal action.

What is a Business Partnership Agreement? A partnership agreement, or partnership contract, is a comprehensive legal document that should be drafted when two partners plan on going in business together. The information should be gathered before drafting the contract and all elements, such as each party’s contribution and voting rights. Elements of a Business Partnership Agreement There are a lot of essential elements that make up a partnership agreement. The agreement should be thorough and organized. Here are a few crucial aspects of a business partnership agreement:

The Parties – Although this may seem obvious, both individual partners to the contract should be identified along with their relevant contact information.
Partnership Name and Primary Purpose – The name of the partnership should reflect the partnership’s legally registered business name. It is important to define the purpose of the partnership business, such as a general overview of the type of business and what industry the partners will intend to be involved in.
Partnership’s Principal Place of Business – This element of a partnership agreement determines where the partnership’s primary location is and where all of the business records are to be kept.
Capital Contributions and Ownership Interest and Percentage– It is crucial to identify who is responsible for important assets, property, and cash. The partners need to discuss and incorporate if the agreement is an equal split or another percentage. The partners will need to expressly include each partner’s interest. These details are critical in a partnership agreement because it eliminates any confusion as to the amount of ownership designated to each party. It defines each partner’s share and ownership rights. These initial contributions are typically held in a capital account.
Authority – It is vital to designate each partner’s authority in making certain decisions for the business. Usually, the default agreement in a business partnership agreement is that any partner has the power to form a legally binding contract for the partnership. However, if this is not the case, it needs to be detailed in the agreement and to the extent of which partner has which specific authority. For example, only one partner may be authorized to sign a check on behalf of the business.
Profits and Losses – This provision of the partnership agreement describes how the business plans to distribute the partnership’s profits.
Accounting – A general partnership agreement assigns one partner to the company’s bookkeeping and accounting duties. It defines the frequency of audits and states that each partner is responsible for his or her own taxes on any distributions made. Overall, this section of the contract allocates who is responsible for the company’s decision-making. This section will also include the appropriate fiscal year as it relates to auditing and accounting procedures.
Voting – The agreement should spell out how the voting procedures in the partnership. For example, is it a majority vote, or does it depend on which partner has the largest contribution that outweighs a majority vote. This section designates the voting power for each member of the business partnership agreement. Sometimes the partners will require a unanimous vote.
New Partners – Sometimes, a business will need to expand, hence requiring new partners. A provision should be included detailing the process of how a new partner is added and any amendments or supplemental information that should be incorporated into the partnership agreement.
Departing Partners – From time to time, a partner may withdrawal from the partnership. This can include the partner’s choice or by death of a partner. In the event of a withdrawal or other similar circumstance, it is a good idea to spell out the process in which the shares are to be allocated to the remaining partners, and any other relevant policies and procedures related to departing partners.
Partnership Dissolution – The process of dissolution and each partner’s obligation should be outlined in the partnership agreement.
Dispute Resolution – A dispute resolution process is essential in a business partnership agreement. It explains the procedure for which a dispute should be resolved before proceeding to litigation. Litigation is a lengthy and expensive process; implementing a dispute resolution clause can prevent any unnecessary litigation.

Common Mistakes when Drafting a Business Partnership Agreement A general partnership agreement does not have to be filed with a state agency. However, for the document to be legally binding, all parties to the contract must sign it. The signatures show the parties came to an agreement and can be used to resolve disputes. Another common mistake, and probably the one with the most severe consequences, is skipping a written agreement. A business partnership agreement clarifies the considerations and limits on the business relationship. A partnership agreement will vary based on the circumstances, stakes, type of business, and purpose of the partnership. Small companies are generally organized as partnerships. Therefore, formal documentation of such is necessary before the partnership is officially established. Generally, the terms in the agreement are not governed by state law. This means that the terms laid out in the agreement can potentially supersede state law. However, when drafting a business partnership agreement, it is important to contact an attorney to obtain legal advice. An experienced attorney can review and assist with the finalization of the contract. How to get your Business Partnership Agreement Signed Electronic signatures are remarkably easy and convenient. When starting a new business, you have enough on your plate. Obtaining an electric signature ensures all parties properly sign the documents. Notably, without the appropriate signatures, the agreement may not be enforceable. ApproveMe.com’s software is an essential resource that can push your company to the next level. ApproveMe wants to be a part of your company’s success and growth. Helpful Tools for Entrepreneurs Starting a new business comes with a wealth of challenges. It is vital to incorporate invoicing and accounting software. Here are a few helpful resources to check out:

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BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT

This Business Partnership Agreement (“Agreement”), dated on this _____ day of _______, 20__ (the “Effective Date”) is entered into by and between the following Partners (collectively referred to as the “Partners”): Name: Name: __________________________________ __________________________________ Located at: Located at: ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ WHEREAS, the above-named Partners wish to associate themselves as Partners in a business enterprise (hereinafter referred to as the “Partnership”) as set forth in this Agreement; and WHEREAS, the Partners acknowledge that they have read and understood all of the terms and conditions herein and agree to be bound by the same; and WHEREAS, this Partnership Agreement shall remain in effect and full force unless otherwise terminated or dissolved in accordance with the terms set forth herein or by operation of law; NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants, terms, and conditions set forth herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows: Name. The Partnership formed under this Agreement shall be known as _____________________________. The business of this Partnership shall be constructed under this name, or other name as mutually agreed upon by the Partners. The Partnership. The Partnership’s principal place of business shall be: __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ The records and books of this Partnership shall be kept at the above location. However, subsidiary or additional places of business may be created at other locations and may be agreed upon by the mutual consent of the Partners. The Partnership is created in accordance with the applicable laws in the State of __________________. This Agreement shall be governed under the laws of the State of ___________________. The primary purpose of this Partnership is: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ If appliable, the Partners agree to obtain any required licenses and permits necessary to do business, register its Doing Business as Name (“DBA”), and acquire a Federal Employer Identification Number (“EIN”). Initial Contributions. The Partners agree to make an initial contribution to the Partnership as follows:

Partner Name	Contribution

The Contribution of each Partner subject to this Agreement shall be made in full on or before __________________________________________. All Contributions shall be considered final and shall not be subject to withdrawal unless expressly agreed upon by all Partners. All Contributions shall be deposited into a joint capital account. Ownership Interest and Authority. The Partners’ ownership interest in this Partnership shall be as follows:

Partner Name	Ownership Percentage (%)

Any and all property rightfully owned by the Partnership, whether real, personal, tangible, or intangible shall be considered to be owned by the Partnership as an entity. Neither Partner shall have direct ownership of any such Partnership property. The Partners’ authority to make decisions on behalf of the Partnership shall be defined as stated below: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Costs. The Partners shall share the costs according to the below percentages:

Partner Name	Costs (%)

Profits and Losses. The Partners agree that the Partnerships finances and applicable assets shall be audited on the following basis: _______________________________________________________________________________. The Partnership’s accounting will be conducted on a __________________________________________ and the Partner in charge of the Partnership’s accounting of all profits and losses will be ___________________________________________. While auditing the Partnership’s finances and relevant assets, the net profit and loss of the Partnership subject to this Agreement shall be divided in the same manner or proportion as the Partner’s respective Capital Contributions and after the costs of the Partnership have been satisfied according to the above listed cost percentages. The Partners may decide to allocate or distribute such profits to the Partnership. If approved, the distributions shall be made on the _________ day of each month. Accounting. All accounts related to the Partnership subject to this Agreement, including contribution and distribution accounts will be audited. Each Partner will sustain a joint contribution account. The Partners agree to keep accurate and complete books for any and all accounts related to the Partnership. Any Partner, majority or minority, will be entitled to review all books at any time upon request. Each Partner understands that he or she will be responsible for his or her own taxes on any distributions made. The Partners shall provide their report on the status of the Partnership within two (2) weeks of the end of the fiscal year. The fiscal year and the taxable year of the Partnership is the calendar year. The below listed Partner(s) have the authority to execute checks from any joint Partner Account: _____________________________________________________________________________________ Voting. Unless otherwise specified in this Agreement, any affairs of the Partnership will be determined by majority vote. Votes are to be cast in the same percentage as Capital Contributions unless otherwise agreed upon by the Partners. Salary. Partners must agree to and provide unanimous consent should a permanent salary is to be established. Moreover, unanimous consent by the Partners is also required for the amount of the salary provided to each Partner. New Partners. The Partnership shall amend this Agreement to include any new Partners upon the express and unanimous vote of all Partners. The name of the Partnership can be amended if a new Partner is added to the Partnership upon the express and unanimous vote of all Partners. Death or Withdrawal. The Partners reserve the right to withdrawal from the Partnership at any given time. Upon the withdrawal of a Partner by choice of by death, the remaining Partners shall have the option to buy out the remaining shares of the Partnership. If the Partners decide to buy out the shares, the shares shall be brought in equal amounts by all Partners under the Partnership. The Partners understand and agree to retain an outside firm to evaluate the value of the remaining shares. Moreover, the Partners must come to a unanimous agreement that the outside firm’s overall valuation of the share to be considered final. The Partners shall have ____ days to determine whether they wish to buy the remaining shares together and equally dispense the same. However, if the Partners do not agree to buy the shares, individual Partners shall have the right to buy the shares individually. If more than one Partner wishes to acquire the remaining shares, the shares shall be equally divided among the requesting Partners. In the event that all Partners, by unanimous vote, the Partnership can choose to allow a non-Partner to buy the shares effectively replacing the previous Partner. In the event that no individual Partner(s) proceed to finalize a purchase agreement within _____ days, the Partnership will be dissolved. The name of the Partnership can be amended upon an express and unanimous vote of all Partners if a Partner is effectively bought out. Dissolution. In the event the Partnership is dissolved by majority vote, the Partnership shall be liquidated, and the debts shall be paid. Any remaining funds after all of the debts have been paid shall be distributed based on the percentage of ownership interest as defined in this Agreement. Dispute Resolution. Parties to this Agreement shall first attempt to settle any dispute through good-faith negotiation. If the dispute cannot be settled between the parties via negotiation, either Party may initiate mediation or binding arbitration in the State of ________________. If the Parties do not wish to mediate or arbitrate the dispute and litigation is necessary, this Agreement will be interpreted based on the laws of the State of _________________, without regard to the conflict of law provisions of such state. The Parties agree the dispute will be resolved in a court of competent jurisdiction in the State of ______________________. Legal Fees. In the event of any suit or action to enforce or interpret any provision of this Agreement (or that is based on this Agreement), the prevailing party is entitled to recover, in addition to other costs, reasonable attorney fees in connection with the suit, action, or arbitration, and in any appeals. The determination of who is the prevailing party and the amount of reasonable attorney fees to be paid to the prevailing party will be decided by the court or courts, including any appellate courts, in which the matter is tried, heard, or decided. Amendments. Amendments to this Agreement may be proposed by any Partner. A proposed amendment will be adopted and become effective as an amendment only on the written approval of all of the Partners. Further Effect. The parties agree to execute other documents reasonably necessary to further effect and evidence the terms of this Agreement, as long as the terms and provisions of the other documents are fully consistent with the terms of this Agreement. Severability. If any term or provision of this Agreement is held to be void or unenforceable, that term or provision will be severed from this Agreement, the balance of the Agreement will survive, and the balance of this Agreement will be reasonably construed to carry out the intent of the parties as evidenced by the terms of this Agreement. Notices. All notices required to be given by this Agreement will be in writing and will be effective when actually delivered or, if mailed, when deposited as certified mail, postage prepaid, directed to the addresses first shown above for each Partner or to such other address as a Partner may specify by notice given in conformance with these provisions to the other Partners. Captions for Convenience. All captions herein are for convenience or reference only and do not constitute part of this Agreement and shall not be deemed to limit or otherwise affect any of the provisions hereof. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall be deemed to be one and the same agreement. A signed copy of this Agreement delivered by facsimile. email, or other means of electronic transmission shall be deemed to have the same legal effect as delivery of an original signed copy of this Agreement. Electronic Signatures. This Agreement and related documents entered into in connection with this Agreement are signed when a party’s signature is delivered electronically, and these signatures must be treated in all respects as having the same force and effect as original signatures. Entire Agreement; Modification. This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding and agreement between the Partners with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement. No agreements, understandings, restrictions, representations, or warranties exist between or among the members other than those in this Agreement or referred to or provided for in this Agreement. No modification or amendment of any provision of this Agreement will be binding on any Partner unless in writing and signed by all the Partners. [Signatures on Following Page] IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Business Partnership Agreement effective as of the ____________ day of ________________, 20__ (the “Effective Date”). Dated: _____________________________ Dated: _______________________________ ________________________________________ _______________________________________ Partner’s Signature Partner’s Signature ________________________________________ _______________________________________ Partner’s Printed Partner’s Printed Name Partner’s Contact Information: Partner’s Contact Information: Address: ______________________________ Address: _____________________________ Phone Number: _________________________ Phone Number: _________________________ Email Address: _________________________ Email Address: _________________________