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There comes a time in the life of any business when you, or one of your co-owners, may want to sell your stake in the business.
If you are in a partnership, the issue of selling to another party is often a delicate and intricate issue. Since you started the business with specific partners, selling it to someone else outside your circle may be difficult. Not only that, but the original Partnership Agreement may dictate special circumstances and procedures with which you must comply before a sale can be completed.
If you want to sell your interests in a partnership, or want to purchase a portion of an existing partnership, here are some things you will need to know:
Anyone who owns an interest in a partnership can potentially sell their interests to someone else. Of course, anyone interested in doing so must first consult the underlying agreement. It will likely list the steps that must be taken before a sale can happen.
Your ability to sell your interests in a partnership may be limited by the agreement. Often, it will require that you first offer your partners the chance to buy your interests, or at least report the potential sale to them. It should also give them a period of time to allow them to decide if they want to make a counter or matching offer.
Your partners may also be entitled to evaluate any new partner to decide their suitability.
Probably. And not only that, but you must make sure they sign the agreement as well. Partners will usually be offered at least a right of first refusal when an interest in the partnership is up for sale to a new party.
There are many things involved in the process of selling interests in a partnership. It is vital that the terms of the sale are set out in a well drafted agreement to be signed by all parties involved.
A Sale of a Partnership Agreement has to be able let the selling partner out of the organization, as well as admit the new party or transfer the interest to one of the existing partners. To do this, many specific clauses must be included into the agreement, including the price, the interest conveyed, the consent of the other partners, and more. It must be specific in these matters so every party can be sure of the interest they are gaining.
Of course. But just as the rules of the partnership bind the current partners, if you buy into the organization, you too will be bound by those rules. And once you enter the partnership, you won’t be able to sell your interests without going through the same process the seller had to do when they sold their interests to you.
Like with any other property, selling an interest in a partnership requires that all sides are clear about the transaction. The fact that a partnership is a business entity with more than one person requires even more because the buyer will enter a business with pre-existing partners. To be sure your transaction is completed without difficulty, you will need to ensure your Sale of Partnership Agreement is drafted correctly.
Sale of Partnership Interest DIY Legal Kit are available from RP Emery & Associates.
These Kits are a valuable tool, providing all of the resources, documents and information necessary to complete your own professionally drafted Sale of Partnership Interest Agreement.
