Having a Partnership Agreement in writing, rather than making an oral agreement sealed by a handshake, can help prevent possible disputes that may arise by having clearly stated expectations, responsibilities, and rights of each partner in the contract.
Each of the Australian states and territories has its own Partnership Act, the provisions of which, unless differentiated or negated by a partnership contract, can land the partners in unexpected situations.
For example, unless otherwise stated in a Partnership Agreement, the following would typically apply under state or territorial legislation:
- All partners would have equal authority to bind the partnership in a work contract with another individual or group
- All partners are entitled to share equally in the profits of the business
- No partner can be expelled from the partnership
- The retirement of a partner leads to the automatic dissolution of the entire partnership
These provisions might not suit every modern partnership, so it is crucial to define the rules for your partnership with a written agreement. LawDepot's questionnaire addresses each of the above questions so you can customise your agreement to suit your specific partnership needs.