How to Get Out of a Business Partnership?

Knowing how to get out of a business partnership depends on your goals in leaving the partnership.3 min read

Knowing how to get out of a business partnership depends on your goals in leaving the partnership. In some cases, you may want to leave the partnership completely, but in other circumstances, you might just want to alter the partnership arrangement.

Introduction to Leaving a Partnership

Entering into a business partnership can be a very good decision. In a partnership, you'll have someone that you can work with toward the success of your business, and you'll also be able to share risk. Unfortunately, partnerships can also result in liability. For instance, if your partner loses a customer or accumulates debt, you can also be held accountable.

Another problem with business partnerships is that personal conflicts can occur very easily for a variety of reasons. It's possible, for instance, that you and your partners will disagree about which direction you should take the business. Disagreements can also occur because one partner hasn't contributed as much to the business as the other or because a partner isn't fulfilling their responsibilities.

Regrettably, a large number of partnerships fail, so one or more partners might want to leave the business. Just because a partnership ends, however, it doesn't mean that the business needs to. It's entirely possible for a partner to leave the relationship and the business to continue on in a new form.

Steps of Leaving a Partnership

If you're no longer satisfied with your partnership, you might assume that you'll either need to stay in the arrangement or end the business completely. Fortunately, this isn't necessarily the case. Before you commit to any course of action, you should consider your different options for exiting your partnership so that you make the right choice.

First, you should go over your partnership agreement with a fine-toothed comb. Try to determine if every partner is upholding their responsibilities as outlined in the document, and see if there is a procedure outlined for a partner leaving the agreement.

Second, you should schedule a meeting with an attorney other than the partnership's attorney. Meeting with your business's attorney would create a conflict of interest and could complicate you leaving the partnership. Have your personal attorney review the partnership agreement and help you develop a strategy for leaving your business.