There are a lot of challenges and unknowns when getting a new business venture off the ground. Am I ready for this launch? How long will it take me to recoup my capital? When will the customers begin rolling in?
If you are operating the business with a partner, one of the things that can save you a lot of headaches later on is putting together a partnership agreement. A partnership agreement clearly outlines each partner’s responsibilities and rights, therefore preventing disagreements in the future. It is not uncommon for disagreements between partners to sink new business ventures, destroy friendships and cause long, drawn-out legal battles.
A partnership agreement can be tailored to each venture’s specification, yet they all should include a section detailing each partner’s individual job duties. Consider life without a partnership agreement: If each party is under the impression that the other person is handling a particular task and it is not completed, the new business venture can crash before it has a chance to get off the ground.
“This legal document can minimize the number of risks that new business ventures face, creating a better chance for success,” said Anthony Spotora, a Los Angeles-based business and entertainment lawyer. “Included in the agreement are specifics on what authority each partner has when it comes to borrowing or lending money, buying supplies, executing lease agreements or entering other types of legal contracts.”
Perhaps certain business transactions can only take place with the consent of both partners. Perhaps Person A exclusively handles the purchasing of supplies while Person B exclusively handles the hiring of new employees. Whatever the arrangement, it is important to make the rules of the game clear to all.
The partnership agreement might also want to include procedures if one partner wants to leave or passes on, how profits will be shared, how an additional partner would be added, management responsibilities, how each partner contributes cash flow, management restrictions and other decision-making protocol.
Each state has a uniform business partnership law, but a partnership agreement can override this law to suit your particular needs. A partnership agreement is a small investment in time and resources that can often mean the difference between success and failure.
There is a lot to consider when putting together a partnership agreement so it is best to consult an attorney with experience in such matters.
To learn more, visit https://www.spotoralaw.com/
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