Understanding General Partnerships in the State of California

A general partnership in the state of California is the collective entity that is formed when two or more individuals and/or entities engage in a trade or business. The intent of all shared activities is to share profits as well as losses.

General Partnership versus Sole-proprietorship

A General Partnership in the state of California is one of the most common arrangements of business ownership. This form of arrangement is very similar to an arrangement known as sole-proprietorship. There is, however, one main difference between the two. A businesses ownership known as sole-proprietorship refers to a single individual who is the one responsible for the business. Any decisions related to the business are thereby made by this individual.

A general partnership, on the other hand, involves at least two individuals and/or entities who are owners of the business. This cooperative group of individuals and/or entities share the responsibility for the business and make the decisions for the business as a whole. When working together, these individuals and/or entities share both the profits as well as the losses for the business. They can also contribute any financial resources and can share the obligation to complete tasks that are for the sole beneficiary of the business.

A Few Benefits of a General Partnership

When starting a business, the process can be easier if you do so with an associate or associates. Having other individuals whom you trust can be beneficial if you can share the responsibilities with them. Financially, it can also ease the burden by allocating the expenditures equally among all. Equally important, general partnerships have the tendency of being more successful since more individuals contribute to the success of the business. In a general partnership, all owners contribute resources in order to attain a communal objective.

Generally, there are four key benefits to a general partnership:

1. An Easy Startup
   1. Bringing associates together for the business can dramatically ease the burden. By sharing responsibilities, you will not be overwhelmed with the many tasks that are attributed to the starting of an enterprise.
   1. Starting a business with another individual or individuals offers the business a solidified start-up. Often, entrepreneurs do not account with the capital to commence a fortified business. This usually leads to a weak business start-up. When you bring forth a collaborative, however, you can account for additional funds the business can benefit from.
   1. One of the greatest benefits of a collaborative approach to business is the allocation of responsibilities. Not only can you divide the efforts equally, there can also be a shared contribution of ideas. Your cohort can bring their opinions, beliefs, and expectations for the venture. Often, they will contribute concepts that you did not previously recognize.
   1. In contrast to the production of a large corporation, a general partnership is not required to pay additional capital to the federal government.

   It’s important to note that a general partnership in the state of California has benefits and disadvantages. Before deciding if a general partnership is the correct arrangement for your business, consult with an experienced attorney who will help you determine if the structure is appropriate. For additional information and support regarding the benefits and disadvantages concerning general partnerships in the state of California, contact a qualified attorney who can guide you through the process. The Knez Law Group is a team of expert and dedicated attorneys. Collectively, they have over 30 years of experience in counseling entrepreneurs.

   

   Matthew J. Knez graduated from the University of Redlands in California with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Creative Writing. He then pursued his law degree at the University of La Verne College of Law in Ontario, California, where he earned various awards, including the CALI Award in Torts, and was on the Dean’s List. During his time in law school, Mr. Knez was a member of the Justice and Immigration Clinic, working with individuals seeking asylum in the United States from countries where they faced persecution or threats of persecution. Additionally, he was an Associate Editor for the Law Review and published an article on California family custody move-away cases. Learn more here.