Every business partnership needs a business partnership agreement. This article will help you write a business partnership agreement that covers everything in a nutshell.

• A business partnership agreement is a legally written document that outlines details about business operations, ownership stake, financials and decision-making.
• Business partnership agreement, when fused with other legal entity documents, could limit liability for each partner.
• A Business partnership agreement should always be written and/or reviewed by legal counsel prior to any signatures.
• This read is for the business partners who want to formalize their partnership with an airtight business partnership agreement.

A business partnership agreement declares clear rules for the operation of a business and the roles of each partner. A Business partnership agreement is put in place to resolve any disputes that arise, as well as to distribute responsibilities and how profits or losses are allocated. Any business partnership in which two or more people own a stake of the company should get a business partnership agreement designed, as these legal documents could provide key guidance in more difficult times.

The registration of Deed of Partnership is made under the Indian Registration Act, 1908, However, a partnership firm can also be created without registration under the Indian Registration Act.But It is always advisable to create a clear partnership agreement before commencement of business .Also, Registration of a Partnership agreement will enable the partnership firms to obtain  PAN, apply for bank loans and other funds, opening a current account in Partnership Firm name, obtain GST registration or get any other Business related license and permit.

How A Partnership Agreement Format Is Presented ?

The Format Of  Partnership Agreement  should be printed on a Non-Judicial Stamp Paper with a value of Rs.100/- or more based on the financial worth of properties held in the partnership firm. The partnership agreement is witnessed and signed in the presence of all the partners and when the document is signed by the Partners, the signed duplicate copy of the partnership agreement is held by each of the Partners.

What should a business partnership agreement talk of?

A Business partnership agreement is necessarily broad, covering every aspect of a business partnership from start to finish. It is important to include all foreseeable issues that could arise regarding the co-management of the business.

• Ownership stake: A business partnership agreement clearly declares who owns what percentage of the business, making each partner’s stake in the company clear.
• Business operations: Business partnership agreement should explain which activities the business will engage in, as well as which activities it will not.
• Decision-making: A business partnership agreement should outline how decisions are made and the responsibility of each partner in the decision-making process. This includes who has financial control of the company and who must approve the addition of new partners. It should also include information on how profits and losses are distributed amongst the partners.

• Liability: If the business partnership is set up as an LLC, the agreement should limit the liability each partner faces. To do so effectively, a partnership agreement should be paired with other documents, such as articles of incorporation. A business partnership agreement alone is likely not enough to fully protect the partners from liability.

• Dispute resolution: Any business partnership agreement should include a dispute resolution process. Even if partners are best friends, siblings or spouses, disagreements are a natural part of doing business together.
• Business dissolution: In the event the partners choose to dissolve the business, a business partnership agreement should outline how that dissolution should occur, as well as continuity or succession planning should any of the partners divest from the business.

Everything that a Partnership Agreement should include:

• Name of the Partnership, Term of the partnership and Details Of Partnership Firm. A partnership can be perpetual or for a specific term length.
• What activities is the partnership engaging in?
• What products or services will be sold?
• How will new products or services be added?
  Types of partners in a partnership.
• Contributions of each partner in cash, deferred contributions, property, and service.
  Admitting new partners, and what is the required new partner contribution.
  What happens if a partner fails to make an initial contribution?
  Additional future contributions.
• When will additional contributions be accepted?
• How will future contributions affect the partner’s share?
• How profits and losses are distributed among the partners?
• When may partners take a draw from their partnership share?
• How are profits and losses allocated to partners, for the purpose of partner percentages?
• Management powers and duties,
• Financial matters and Power to authorize expenses.
• Meetings, Maintenance of records, Partner time off, including leaves of absence, vacations, sick leaves.
• Will partners be allowed to take part in any other business activity apart from the partnership Business undertaking?
• Conflict of interest policy.
• Ownership of business assets.
• Sale or transfer of a partner’s interest
• Non-competition clause. Non-disclosure clause, Non-solicitation clause.
• Retirement of partner in partnership firm format
• Expulsion of a partner from the partnership, Amending partnership agreement, how and when, Adherence to state law.

In many ways, a business partnership is like a personal partnership. The people involved in both kinds of partnerships need to have clearly communicated understandings. In business, especially, those understandings should be in writing.

If something happens to a partner, there’s a dispute between partners, or there is a change in the partnership, everyone needs to know “what happens if.” A partnership agreement is the best way to assure that the business—and personal—part of the relationship can survive. Whenever there is any difference of opinion or any dispute between the partners the partners shall refer the same to an arbitration of one person. The decision of the arbitration so nominated shall be final and binding on all partners, such arbitration proceedings shall be governed by Indian Arbitration Act, which is in force. There is no need to have registration of partnership agreement in India. Forming a partnership does not legally require execution of a partnership agreement. If you don’t execute an agreement, however, the default rules of state partnership law will govern your partnership.