How To Responsibly Share Your Company With Business Partners

 

When starting a business, one of the first decisions to make is how to structure the company. There are many different types of business structures, but one of the most common is the partnership. In this blog post, we will discuss five different types of partnerships: limited partnerships, special limited partnerships, limited liability partnerships, limited liability limited partnerships, as well as general partnerships. We will explain the benefits and drawbacks of each type, so you can decide which is right for your business! So, without further ado, let's get started.

 

People sitting around a table in an office

 

Limited Partnership

We'll start off with the limited partnership (LP). In a limited partnership, there are two types of partners: general partners and limited partners. The general partner(s) manage the day-to-day operations of the business and have unlimited liability for the debts and obligations of the business. The limited partner(s), on the other hand, has a more passive role in the business and is only liable for the amount of money that they have invested in the company.

There are several benefits to this type of partnership. First, it allows for a clear division of labor between the partners. The general partner can focus on running the business, while the limited partner can provide financial support without having to worry about day-to-day operations. Additionally, the limited liability of the limited partners can be appealing to potential investors who might otherwise be hesitant to invest in a business.

 

Special Limited Partnership

The next type of partnership is the special limited partnership (SLP). This is similar to a limited partnership, but with one key difference: the general partner in an SLP has limited liability. This means that the general partner is only liable for the debts and obligations of the business up to the amount of money they have invested. Beyond that, they are not personally liable for any debts of the business.

The benefit of this type of partnership is that it provides a greater degree of protection for the general partner. This can be appealing to potential investors who might otherwise be hesitant to invest in a business where the general partner has unlimited liability. However, it is important to note that the limited liability of the general partner does not extend to the limited partners. The limited partners in an SLP still have unlimited liability for the debts and obligations of the business.

People sitting arund a table in an office

 

Limited Liability Partnership

The third type of partnership is the limited liability partnership (LLP). In an LLP, all of the partners have limited liability for the debts and obligations of the business. This means that each partner is only liable for the amount of money they have invested in the company. In addition, the partners are not personally liable for any debts of the business.

The main benefit of an LLP is that it provides a high degree of protection for the partners. This can be appealing to potential investors who might otherwise be hesitant to invest in a business where the partners have unlimited liability. Additionally, it can also provide peace of mind for the partners knowing that they will not be personally liable for any debts of the business.

 

Limited Liability Limited Partnership

The fourth type of partnership is the limited liability limited partnership (LLLP). This is similar to an LLP, but with additional protections for the limited partners. In an LLLP, the general partner is not liable for the debts and liabilities of the partnership. This type of partnership is often used for investments, such as real estate or venture capital.

First of all, an LLLP is a great way to protect your personal assets. If the partnership goes bankrupt, you will not be held responsible for the debts of the partnership. Second, an LLLP is a great way to raise capital. Limited partners are able to invest in the partnership without being liable for the debts of the partnership. Finally, an LLLP is a great way to structure your business. The general partner is able to manage the partnership without being liable for the debts of the partnership.

 

General Partnership

And lastly, we have the General Partnership (GP). A GP is a partnership where all partners are jointly liable for the debts and liabilities of the partnership. This is the most common type of partnership. GPs are often used for small businesses, such as mom-and-pop shops.

The main advantage of a GP is that it is easy to set up. There is no need to file any paperwork with the state. All you need to do is agree on a partnership agreement. The main disadvantage of a GP is that all partners are jointly liable for the debts and liabilities of the partnership. This means that if one partner gets into debt, the other partners are responsible for paying off the debt.

 

So, what type of partnership is right for you? Do your research and consult with a lawyer to find out. There is no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to business partnerships. Each type of partnership has its own advantages and disadvantages. It is important that you choose the right type of partnership for your business.