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Pros and Cons to Starting a Business Partnership

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I- Introduction
There are many pros and cons for starting a partnership. A partnership is simple, inexpensive and easy to start. Partnership's formalities are relaxed where there are no required annual meetings, as compared to other formations. Unlike other types such as a corporation, a partnership is not required to file annual financial reports with the state and not required to maintain documents. Most importantly, partnership enjoys favorable tax treatment as a passed-through entity and do not have to pay minimum taxes that are required of LLCs and corporation. However, because partnership formation is relatively simple, there is greater risk of disputes among the partners due to poor organization. Most importantly, the partners in a partnership do not enjoy limited liability. They are personally liable for the partnership’s debt, losses, and other obligations. Under the agency theory, the partnership and a partner may be held liable for other partner’s conduct. Thus, it is imperative to anticipate potential issues that the partnership may be exposed to and reduce it to a written agreement. The agreement should address how partnership reaches a decision and how to resolve a dispute when it arises. In addition, the agreement should layout partner’s termination as well as how to wind-up in the event of partnership dissolution.

II- Formation
"The association of two or more persons to carry on as co-owners of a business for profit forms a partnership,

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