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General Partnership Agreement

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GENERAL PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT

THIS AGREEMENT OF GENERAL PARTNERSHIP entered into on , 20 by and among (hereinafter collectively referred to as "Partners", and individually as "Partner").

1. Name and purpose. The Partnership shall be carried on under the name of PARTNERSHIP, a General Partnership. The Partnership has been formed for the purpose of owning, developing, operating, leasing and otherwise dealing with real and personal property of any kind or description. The Partnership may engage in any and all other activities as may be necessary, incidental or convenient to carry out the business of the Partnership as contemplated by this Agreement.

2. Place of business. The principal office of the Partnership shall be located at , or such other place as shall be agreed upon by a majority in interest of the Partners from time to time.

3. Partners. The name and address of each of the Partners are as follows:

Name                                              Address

4. Term. The Partnership shall commence on , 20 , and shall continue until terminated as provided in this Agreement.

5. Capital contributions. Each of the Partners has contributed to the capital of the Partnership, in cash, the amount set opposite his name:

Partner                                            Contribution

6. Net Profits, net losses and cash flow

(a) Profits and losses. Subject to such adjustments as may be required pursuant to paragraph 7 below, the net profits and the net losses shall be shared by the Partners as follows:

Partner                                       Percentage

The terms "Net profits" and "net losses" shall mean the net profits and losses of the Partnership as determined for federal income tax purposes by the certified public accountant servicing the Partnership account.

(b) Cash flow. The "cash flow of the Partnership shall be the net profits and losses of the Partnership as defined in paragraph 6(a) above, plus (i) depreciation and other non-cash charges deducted in determining such net profits and losses, (ii) the net proceeds from any refinancing of the Partnership's mortgages, and (iii) the net proceeds from the sale of any of the Partnership's assets, minus (i) principal payments on all mortgages, (ii) any other cash expenditures which have not been deducted in determining the net profits and losses of the Partnership, and (iii) any amount reasonably required to maintain sufficient working capital and a reasonable reserve for replacements. The cash flow of the Partnership shall be determined separately for each fiscal year and not cumulatively and, as so determined, shall be distributed in the same proportion as profits and losses are shared in accordance with paragraph 7. The cash flow shall be distributed at the discretion of the Managing Partner, but at least annually.

(c) Income accounts. A separate income account shall be maintained for each Partner. Partnership profits and losses shall be charged or credited to the separate income account of each Partner. If a Partner has no credit balance in his income account, losses shall be charged to his capital account.

7. Additional funds and adjustments.

(a) Call for funds. The Partners recognize that the income produced by the Partnership's properties may be insufficient to pay the operating costs of the properties. If in the judgment of the Managing Partner additional funds are needed, they shall be contributed by the Partners in proportion to their capital interests in the Partnership. However, the amount of funds subject to call and contribution in any calendar year shall not exceed $12,000.00 in the aggregate, unless any excess is approved by a majority of the Partners. As used above, the term "operating costs" shall include, without limitation: principal and interest payments on partnership loans, whether or not secured by mortgages on Partnership properties; costs of repair, maintenance, and improvements; insurance premiums; and real estate taxes, assessments, other governmental charges, and professional fees for accountants, legal counsel and engineers.

(b) Contributions for non-defaulting partners. If any Partner is unable or unwilling to make any or all of his proportionate contribution, then the remaining Partners who are able and willing to do so may make a contribution in excess of their proportionate share, in such amounts as they may agree among themselves.

(c) Contributions by non-defaulting partners. Any Partner who makes a contribution to the Partnership pursuant to paragraph 7(b) above shall have the option to (1) treat the contribution as additional capital of the Partnership, or (2) treat the contribution as a loan to the defaulting Partner, which election shall be made, in writing, at the time the contribution is made.

8. Managing partner.

(a) The day-to-day affairs of the Partnership shall be handled by the Managing Partner, .

(b) Partners owning a majority in interest of the capital of the Partnership may remove the acting Managing Partner at any time and appoint a successor Managing Partner.

(c) The Managing Partner shall provide such services to the operation of the Partnership business as he shall deem proper and necessary, including keeping all Partners informed of all material which shall come to his attention concerning the business of the Partnership.

(d) The Managing Partner shall keep or cause to be kept full records of each transaction of the Partnership and shall maintain such records at the principal office of the Partnership or at the principal office of the Partnership's accounting firm. Said records shall be open for inspection and examination by all Partners, or their duly authorized representative, at all reasonable times. The Managing Partner shall furnish, or cause to be furnished, to each Partner statements of financial condition of the Partnership within 60 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Partnership. The fiscal year of the Partnership shall end on December 31.

(e) The Managing Partner shall cause the funds of the Partnership to be deposited in such bank accounts as he shall designate and withdrawals shall be made upon such signatures as the Partners shall authorize.

(f) The Managing Partner shall not be liable to the Partnership or to any Partner for any mistake or error in judgment or for any act or omission believed in good faith to be within the scope of authority conferred by this Agreement. The Managing Partner shall be liable only for acts and/or omissions involving intentional wrongdoing.

(g) As compensation for his services, the Managing Partner shall receive $ per month and shall be reimbursed by the Partnership for out-of-pocket expenses incurred on behalf of the Partnership, including expenses for travel, lodging and meals.

9. Voting. Each Partner shall vote in proportion to his capital interest in the Partnership from time to time. Each Partner may exercise his vote by written or oral notification to the Managing Partner.

10. Consent to operations. The procedure for the operation of the Partnership shall be as follows:

(a) The day-to-day affairs of the Partnership shall be handled by the Managing Partner, as hereinabove stated.

(b) The following actions shall require the vote and unanimous approval of all the Partners:

(1) The purchasing or developing of properties;

(2) The amendment of this Partnership Agreement; and

(3) The admission of new partners to the Partnership.

(c) All other actions taken by the Partnership, excluding those mentioned in subparagraphs (a) and (b) above, shall require the vote and approval of Partners owning a majority in interest of the capital of the Partnership.

11. New partners. Except as provided in paragraph 13, new partners may be admitted into the Partnership, after the required vote, only if they agree to execute and acknowledge such instruments as are necessary or desirable to effect such admission and to confirm their agreement to be bound by all the covenants, terms and conditions of this Agreement, as the same may have been amended. Each new partner shall receive a capital interest and share in the profits, losses, and cash flow of the Partnership in an amount to be determined by all other Partners at the time of admission.

12. Amendments. Amendments to this Agreement shall become effective only if in writing, signed by all the Partners.

13. Transfer of partnership interest.

(a) Permitted transfers during life. During the life of a Partner, he may transfer all or any part of his Partnership interest by gift, sale or other transfer, either in trust or outright, to or for the benefit of his spouse and/or any of his descendants, including any stepchildren and any descendant whose relationship to the partner is created by birth or adoption. Thereafter, the transferee shall become a Partner with all the interests, rights, duties and obligations previously held by the transferor.

(b) Prohibited transfers during life. During the life a Partner, he shall not pledge, cause a lien to be placed against or encumber his Partnership interest in any way. Except as otherwise provided in paragraph 13(a) above, a partner shall not sell or in any other way transfer his Partnership interest during his lifetime without first offering such interest for sale to the Partnership by a writing addressed and delivered to the principal office of the Partnership.

(c) At death of partner. After the death of a Partner, the decedent's estate, by its fiduciary (and the beneficiary and/or beneficiaries of the Partnership interest from the estate), shall sell the interest of the deceased Partner to the Partnership and the Partnership shall purchase said interest on the terms set forth herein.

(d) Life insurance. To assure that the purchase price of a deceased Partner's interest will be available in cash upon his death, the Partnership shall purchase term insurance on the lives of the Partners with each policy providing a death benefit of Sixty Thousand Dollars ($60,000.00) for partners owing 1/6 and Thirty Thousand Dollars ($30,000.00) for partners owing 1/12.

(e) Procedure upon death. The Procedure upon the death of a Partner shall be as follows:

(i) The Partnership as beneficiary shall promptly file claims to collect in cash the one-sum death proceeds of all the policies on the deceased Partner's life which are subject to this agreement.

(ii) Upon the collection of such proceeds and the qualification of a personal representative for the deceased Partner, the Partnership shall pay over to the personal representative an amount equal to the full proceeds collected, in part or in full payment for the deceased Partner's interest in the Partnership.

(iii) The personal representative of the deceased Partner shall promptly execute and deliver all instruments necessary to effectuate the transfer of the deceased Partner's interest to the Partnership, as of the date of the deceased Partner's death.

(iv) Concurrently with the transfer to the Partnership of the deceased Partner's interest, the surviving Partners shall execute and deliver to the personal representative an instrument by which the surviving Partners assure all the debts and obligations of the Partnership and indemnify the deceased Partner's estate against all Partnership liabilities and any and all claims by the surviving Partners or by Partnership creditors.

(f) Right to purchase. Each Partner shall have the right to purchase from the Partnership any policy or policies on his life which are subject to this agreement upon withdrawing from the Partnership during his lifetime or upon the termination of this agreement during his lifetime.

14. Termination of the partnership. The Partnership shall be terminated and dissolved upon the vote of a majority in interest of the Partners. Upon the termination of the Partnership as herein provided, a full and general accounting shall be taken of the Partnership business and the affairs of the Partnership shall be wound up. Any profits or losses incurred since the previous accounting shall be divided among the partners and shall be added to the distributions to be made to the Partners. The Managing Partner shall wind up and liquidate the Partnership by selling the Partnership assets and, after the payment of the Partnership liabilities, expenses and fees incurred in connection with such liquidation, distributing the net proceeds therefrom, in cash to the Partners in proportion to their capital interests in the Partnership.

Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Partnership Agreement, dissolution of the Partnership shall be in accordance with the laws of the State of , as now constituted or hereafter amended or substituted. Unless otherwise required by law or by court order and subject to the provisions of Section 14 of this Partnership Agreement, the Partnership business shall not terminate upon the occurrence of any event causing dissolution of the Partnership.

Any successor by the operation of law to a surviving Partner's interest, including, by way of example and not by way of limitation, a guardian, a receiver, or a trustee in bankruptcy, shall be deemed as assignee having the rights which an assignee of such Partner's interest would have under the provisions of the .

15. Notices. All notices, consents and other instruments hereunder shall be in writing and mailed by certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, and shall be directed to the parties hereto at the addresses of the parties furnished by them in writing to the Managing Partner. Notices to the personal representative of a deceased Partner's estate shall be mailed in the same manner to the last known address of such representative.

16. Binding effect. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective next-of-kin, legatees, administrators, executors, legal representatives, successors and permitted assigns.

In witness whereof the parties hereto have executed six copies of this Agreement on the day and year first above written.

Signature

Signature

Signature

Signature

Signature

Signature

NOTARY ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

STATE OF

COUNTY OF

PERSONALLY came and appeared before me, the undersigned in and for the jurisdiction aforesaid, the within named in the above and foregoing instrument of writing, who acknowledged to me that he signed and delivered the above foregoing instrument of writing on the day and in the year and for the purposes therein mentioned.

GIVEN under my hand and official seal of office on this the day of , 20.

_____________________________
NOTARY PUBLIC

MY COMMISSION EXPIRES:

STATE OF

COUNTY OF

PERSONALLY came and appeared before me, the undersigned in and for the jurisdiction aforesaid, the within named in the above and foregoing instrument of writing, who acknowledged to me that he signed and delivered the above foregoing instrument of writing on the day and in the year and for the purposes therein mentioned.

GIVEN under my hand and official seal of office on this the day of , 20.

_____________________________
NOTARY PUBLIC

MY COMMISSION EXPIRES:

STATE OF

COUNTY OF

PERSONALLY came and appeared before me, the undersigned in and for the jurisdiction aforesaid, the within named in the above and foregoing instrument of writing, who acknowledged to me that he signed and delivered the above foregoing instrument of writing on the day and in the year and for the purposes therein mentioned.

GIVEN under my hand and official seal of office on this the day of , 20.

_____________________________
NOTARY PUBLIC

MY COMMISSION EXPIRES:

STATE OF

COUNTY OF

PERSONALLY came and appeared before me, the undersigned in and for the jurisdiction aforesaid, the within named in the above and foregoing instrument of writing, who acknowledged to me that he signed and delivered the above foregoing instrument of writing on the day and in the year and for the purposes therein mentioned.

GIVEN under my hand and official seal of office on this the day of , 20.

_____________________________
NOTARY PUBLIC

MY COMMISSION EXPIRES:

STATE OF

COUNTY OF

PERSONALLY came and appeared before me, the undersigned in and for the jurisdiction aforesaid, the within named in the above and foregoing instrument of writing, who acknowledged to me that he signed and delivered the above foregoing instrument of writing on the day and in the year and for the purposes therein mentioned.

GIVEN under my hand and official seal of office on this the day of , 20.

_____________________________
NOTARY PUBLIC

MY COMMISSION EXPIRES:

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What a General Partnership Agreement Is and Why It Matters

A General Partnership Agreement is a written contract between two or more partners who operate a business together without forming a separate legal entity like an LLC or corporation. It documents partner identities, capital contributions, allocation of profits and losses, management rights and voting procedures, decision-making authority, partner admission and withdrawal rules, transfer restrictions, dispute-resolution processes, and winding-up procedures. Although most jurisdictions do not require public filing of the agreement, a written document reduces ambiguity, supports tax reporting and lender due diligence, and provides a clear roadmap for resolving disagreements among partners.

Why a Written Agreement Protects Partners and the Business

A clear General Partnership Agreement records each partner’s financial and managerial responsibilities, reduces disputes by defining expectations, preserves the business relationship during changes, and documents how profits, losses, and liabilities are allocated for tax and creditor purposes.

Why a Written Agreement Protects Partners and the Business

Who Typically Uses a General Partnership Agreement

Small business owners, professional practice partners, and family-run enterprises commonly use these agreements to document roles and financial arrangements.

  • Startups and small businesses establishing shared ownership and day-to-day management responsibilities.
  • Professional partnerships (law, accounting, medical) defining duties, liability exposure, and client-handling rules.
  • Family enterprises or joint ventures documenting capital contributions, profit splits, and buyout terms.

Written agreements are also used when informal partnerships want to clarify exit strategies, attract financing, or prepare for succession planning.

Who Can Sign and Bind the Partnership

Managing Partner

A managing partner is typically authorized to act on behalf of the partnership for ordinary business operations. The agreement should describe the scope of authority, signing limits, and any required partner approvals to bind the partnership to contracts or credit arrangements.

Non-Managing Partner

A non-managing partner usually participates in profits and losses but has limited operational authority. The agreement should specify decision rights, voting thresholds, and procedures for delegating authority or appointing agents.

Essential Fields and Required Information

Parties' Legal Names: Full legal names only
Partnership Name: Exact business name
Principal Address: Street, city, state, ZIP
Capital Contributions: Dollar amounts or assets
Profit/Loss Allocation: Percentage or formula
Term and Termination: Start date and end conditions

Common Preparation Errors to Avoid

  • Leaving capital contributions and valuation methods vague, which causes disputes when additional funding is required or a partner departs.
  • Failing to define decision-making authority and voting thresholds, creating paralysis on routine or emergency decisions.
  • Omitting buy-sell or transfer restrictions, allowing unintended third-party ownership or disputes on partner exits.
  • Not addressing dissolution procedures, creditor claims, or allocation of remaining assets, which prolongs wind-up and increases cost.

Step-by-Step: Completing the Agreement

Follow these sequential steps to prepare a clear, enforceable General Partnership Agreement that reflects partner intent and covers common operational risks.

  • 01
    Identify parties: Enter each partner’s full legal name.
  • 02
    Record contributions: Specify cash, property, or services and valuation method.
  • 03
    Set allocations: Document profit and loss percentages or formulas.
  • 04
    Define governance: Describe management, voting, and signing authority.

Customizing and Completing the Agreement Online

Set up a digital workflow to assign signing order, collect authentication, and capture a detailed audit trail for the executed agreement.

Field Configuration
Template Use reusable template with locked clauses
Conditional Fields Show fields only when applicable
Signer Roles Assign manager or partner roles
Authentication Email, SMS code, or stronger

Where to Send the Executed Agreement

After execution, distribute the final signed agreement to all partners, relevant advisors, and any third parties that require proof of terms.

  • Partners: Provide each partner a complete signed copy
  • Tax Advisor: Share for partnership tax return preparation
  • Bank or Lender: Deliver if required for account or loan documentation
  • Records: Store final copy in secure recordkeeping system

Digital Signing and Technical Considerations

Use an eSignature workflow that provides authentication, an audit trail, secure storage, and format compatibility with your records system.

  • File formats: PDF, DOCX supported
  • Integrations: Salesforce, NetSuite, Google Workspace
  • Security: TLS and AES-256 encryption

Key Dates and Timing to Track

Monitor critical dates to ensure tax compliance and to trigger buy-sell or notice provisions in the agreement.

Effective Date Entry:

Ensure the document uses MM/DD/YYYY format for the agreement start

Tax Reporting:

Provide partnership information to accountant before Form 1065 deadlines

Notice Periods:

Follow withdrawal or buyout notice windows specified in the agreement

Amendment Timing:

Record amendment effective dates and signer approvals promptly

Retention Start:

Begin retention from execution or last effective amendment

Milestones from Draft to Storage

Track milestone steps from drafting through signature, distribution, and long-term retention to maintain evidentiary integrity.

01

Drafting

Prepare initial draft with partner input and counsel review

02

Review and Revision

Circulate edits and record agreed changes before finalization

03

Execution

Obtain all required signatures with authentication and date stamps

04

Archival

Store executed copy in secure, backed-up records system

Core Sections to Include in a Professional Agreement

The agreement should be comprehensive yet tailored; include clauses that allocate economic rights, govern conduct, and provide mechanisms for change and dispute resolution.

Identification

Names, addresses, and official partnership name. Include formation date and principal place of business to anchor the legal relationship and for tax reporting.

Capital and Contributions

Specify initial capital, valuation of noncash contributions, and obligations for future funding. Define consequences for shortfalls and treatment of loans versus equity.

Profit & Loss Allocation

Describe exact percentages or formulas for sharing profits, losses, tax items, and distributions, including timing and priority of distributions.

Management & Voting

Allocate managerial duties, outline voting thresholds for ordinary and major decisions, and define reserved matters requiring unanimous or supermajority approval.

Transfers & Buy-Sell

Restrict transfers, require right of first refusal or buyout formulas, and set valuation methods for involuntary exits, death, or incapacity.

Dissolution & Dispute Resolution

Define triggers for dissolution, wind-up procedures, dispute resolution method (mediation/arbitration), and choice of governing law for interpretation.

Practical Examples of Partnership Agreement Uses

These concise scenarios show how agreements solve common business problems and provide operational clarity.

New Retail Partnership

Two friends opening a shop agree on capital and roles

  • One partner manages operations while the other oversees finance
  • The written agreement defines profit splits, a buyout formula, and an exit notice period to avoid disputes and ensure smooth transitions.

Professional Practice

Three professionals join a practice and contribute unequal capital

  • Ownership interests reflect monetary and client contributions
  • The contract sets governance, client assignment rules, and buy-sell mechanics to protect practice continuity and client service.

Frequently Asked Questions About General Partnership Agreements

Answers to common questions about formation, signing, amendments, and enforcement for General Partnership Agreements in the United States.


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