ARTICLE 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS.
§47B-1-1. Definitions.
In this chapter:
(1) "Business" includes every trade, occupation
and profession.
(2) "Debtor in
bankruptcy" means a person who is the subject of:
(i) In order for relief under
Title 11 of the United States Code or a comparable order under a successor statute of
general application; or
(ii) A comparable order under
federal, state or foreign law governing insolvency.
(3) "Distribution"
means a transfer of money or other property from a partnership to a partner in the
partner's capacity as a partner or to the partner's transferee.
(4) "Foreign limited liability partnership" means
a partnership or association formed under or pursuant to an agreement governed by the laws
of any state or jurisdiction other than this state that is denominated as a registered
limited liability partnership or limited liability partnership under the laws of such
other jurisdiction.
(5) "Partnership" means an association of two or
more persons to carry on as co-owners a business for profit formed under section two,
article two of this chapter, predecessor law, or comparable law of another jurisdiction
and includes, for all purposes of the laws of this state, a registered limited liability
partnership.
(6) "Partnership agreement" means the agreement,
whether written, oral or implied, among the partners concerning the partnership, including
amendments to the partnership agreement.
(7) "Partnership at will" means a partnership in
which the partners have not agreed to remain partners until the expiration of a definite
term or the completion of a particular undertaking.
(8) "Partnership interest" or "partner's
interest in the partnership" means all of a partner's interests in the partnership,
including the partner's transferable interest and all management and other rights.
(9) "Person" means an individual, corporation,
business trust, estate, trust, partnership, association, joint venture, government,
governmental subdivision, agency or instrumentality, or any other legal or commercial
entity.
(10) "Property" means all property, real,
personal or mixed, tangible or intangible, or any interest therein.
(11) "Registered limited liability partnership"
means a partnership formed pursuant to an agreement governed by the laws of this state,
registered under section one, article ten of this chapter.
(12) "State" means a state of the United States,
the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any territory or insular
possession subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.
(13) "Statement" means a statement of partnership
authority under section three, article three of this chapter, a statement of denial under
section four of said article, a statement of dissociation under section four, article
seven of this chapter, a statement of dissolution under section five, article eight of
this chapter, a statement of merger under section seven, article nine of this chapter, a
statement of registration and a statement of withdrawal under section one, article ten of
this chapter, or an amendment or cancellation of any of the foregoing.
(14) "Transfer" includes an assignment,
conveyance, lease, mortgage, deed and encumbrance.
§47B-1-2. Knowledge and notice.
(a) A person knows a fact if the person has actual
knowledge of it.
(b) A person has notice of a fact if the person:
(1) Knows of it;
(2) Has received a notification of it; or
(3) Has reason to know it exists from all of the facts
known to the person at the time in question.
(c) A person notifies or gives a notification to another by
taking steps reasonably required to inform the other person in ordinary course, whether or
not the other person learns of it.
(d) A person receives a notification when the notification:
(1) Comes to the person's attention; or
(2) Is duly delivered at the person's place of business or
at any other place held out by the person as a place for receiving communications.
(e) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (f) of this
section, a person other than an individual knows, has notice, or receives a notification
of a fact for purposes of a particular transaction when the individual conducting the
transaction knows, has notice, or receives a notification of the fact, or in any event
when the fact would have been brought to the individual's attention if the person had
exercised reasonable diligence. The person exercises reasonable diligence if it maintains
reasonable routines for communicating significant information to the individual conducting
the transaction and there is reasonable compliance with the routines. Reasonable diligence
does not require an individual acting for the person to communicate information unless the
communication is part of the individual's regular duties or the individual has reason to
know of the transaction and that the transaction would be materially affected by the
information.
(f) A partner's knowledge, notice or receipt of a
notification of a fact relating to the partnership is effective immediately as knowledge
by, notice to, or receipt of a notification by the partnership, except in the case of a
fraud on the partnership committed by or with the consent of that partner.
§47B-1-3. Effect of partnership
agreement; nonwaivable provisions.
(a) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (b) of this
section, relations among the partners and between the partners and the partnership are
governed by the partnership agreement. To the extent the partnership agreement does not
otherwise provide, this chapter governs relations among the partners and between the
partners and the partnership.
(b) The partnership agreement may not:
(1) Vary the rights and duties under section five, article
one of this chapter except to eliminate the duty to provide copies of statements to all of
the partners;
(2) Unreasonably restrict the right of access to books and
records under subsection (b), section three, article four of this chapter;
(3) Eliminate the duty of loyalty under subsection (b),
section four, article four, or subdivision (3), subsection (b), section three, article six
of this chapter, but:
(i) The partnership agreement may identify specific types
or categories of activities that do not violate the duty of loyalty, if not manifestly
unreasonable; or
(ii) All of the partners or a number or percentage
specified in the partnership agreement may authorize or ratify, after full disclosure of
all material facts, a specific act or transaction that otherwise would violate the duty of
loyalty;
(4) Unreasonably reduce the duty of care under subsection
(c), section four, article four or subdivision (3), subsection (b), section three, article
six of this chapter;
(5) Eliminate the obligation of good faith and fair dealing
under subsection (d), section four, article four of this chapter, but the partnership
agreement may prescribe the standards by which the performance of the obligation is to be
measured, if the standards are not manifestly unreasonable;
(6) Vary the power to dissociate as a partner under
subsection (a), section two, article six of this chapter, except to require the notice
under subdivision (1), section one, article six of this chapter to be in writing;
(7) Vary the right of a court to expel a partner in the
events specified in subdivision (5), section one, article six of this chapter;
(8) Vary the requirement to wind up the partnership
business in cases specified in subdivisions (4), (5) or (6), section one, article eight of
this chapter; or
(9) Restrict rights of third parties under this chapter.
§47B-1-4. Supplemental principles of law.
(a) Unless displaced by particular provisions of this
chapter, the principles of law and equity supplement this chapter.
(b) If an obligation to pay interest arises under this
chapter and the rate is not specified, the rate is that specified in section thirty-one,
article six, chapter fifty-six of this code.
§47B-1-5. Execution, filing and recording
of statements.
(a) A statement may be filed in the office of the secretary
of state. A certified copy of a statement that is filed in an office in another state may
be filed in the office of the secretary of state. Either filing has the effect provided in
this chapter with respect to partnership property located in or transactions that occur in
this state.
(b) A certified copy of a statement that has been filed in
the office of the secretary of state and recorded in the office for recording transfers of
real property has the effect provided for recorded statements in this chapter. A recorded
statement that is not a certified copy of a statement filed in the office of the secretary
of state does not have the effect provided for recorded statements in this chapter.
(c) A statement filed by a partnership must be executed by
at least two partners. Other statements must be executed by a partner or other person
authorized by this chapter. An individual who executes a statement as, or on behalf of, a
partner or other person named as a partner in a statement shall personally declare under
penalty of perjury that the contents of the statement are accurate.
(d) A person authorized by this chapter to file a statement
may amend or cancel the statement by filing an amendment or cancellation that names the
partnership, identifies the statement, and states the substance of the amendment or
cancellation.
(e) A person who files a statement pursuant to this section
shall promptly send a copy of the statement to every nonfiling partner and to any other
person named as a partner in the statement. Failure to send a copy of a statement to a
partner or other person does not limit the effectiveness of the statement as to a person
not a partner.
(f) The secretary of state may collect a fee for filing or
providing a certified copy of a statement. The clerk of the county commission of any
county may collect a fee for recording a statement.
§47B-1-6.
Law governing internal relations.
Except as provided otherwise in section four, article ten
of this chapter, the law of the jurisdiction in which a partnership has its chief
executive office, governs the relations among the partners and between the partners and
the partnership.
§47B-1-7. Partnership subject to
amendment or repeal of chapter. A partnership governed
by this chapter is subject to any amendment to or repeal of this chapter.
ARTICLE 2. NATURE OF PARTNERSHIP.
§47B-2-1. Partnership as entity.
A partnership is an entity distinct from its partners.
§47B-2-2. Formation of partnership.
(a) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (b) of this
section, the association of two or more persons to carry on as co-owners a business for
profit forms a partnership, whether or not the persons intend to form a partnership.
(b) An association formed under a statute other than this
chapter, a predecessor statute, or a comparable statute of another jurisdiction is not a
partnership under this chapter.
(c) In determining whether a partnership is formed, the
following rules apply:
(1) Joint tenancy, tenancy in common, tenancy by the
entireties, joint property, common property, or part ownership does not by itself
establish a partnership, even if the co-owners share profits made by the use of the
property.
(2) The sharing of gross returns does not by itself
establish a partnership, even if the persons sharing them have a joint or common right or
interest in property from which the returns are derived.
(3) A person who receives a share of the profits of a
business is presumed to be a partner in the business, unless the profits were received in
payment:
(i) Of a debt by installments or otherwise;
(ii) For services as an independent contractor or of wages
or other compensation to an employee;
(iii) Of rent;
(iv) Of an annuity or other retirement or health benefit to
a beneficiary, representative or designee of a deceased or retired partner;
(v) Of interest or other charge on a loan, even if the
amount of payment varies with the profits of the business, including a direct or indirect
present or future ownership of the collateral, or rights to income, proceeds or increase
in value derived from the collateral; or
(vi) For the sale of the goodwill of a business or other
property by installments or otherwise.
§47B-2-3. Partnership property.
Property acquired by a partnership is property of the
partnership and not of the partners individually.
§47B-2-4. When property is partnership
property.
(a) Property is partnership property if acquired in the
name of:
(1) The partnership; or
(2) One or more partners with an indication in the
instrument transferring title to the property of the person's capacity as a partner or of
the existence of a partnership but without an indication of the name of the partnership.
(b) Property is acquired in the name of the partnership by
a transfer to:
(1) The partnership in its name; or
(2) One or more partners in their capacity as partners in
the partnership, if the name of the partnership is indicated in the instrument
transferring title to the property.
(c) Property is presumed to be partnership property if
purchased with partnership assets, even if not acquired in the name of the partnership or
of one or more partners with an indication in the instrument transferring title to the
property of the person's capacity as a partner or of the existence of a partnership.
(d) Property acquired in the name of one or more of the
partners, without an indication in the instrument transferring title to the property of
the person's capacity as a partner or of the existence of a partnership and without use of
partnership assets, is presumed to be separate property, even if used for partnership
purposes.
ARTICLE 3. RELATIONS OF PARTNERS TO
PERSONS DEALING WITH PARTNERSHIP.
§47B-3-1. Partner agent of partnership.
Subject to the effect of a statement of partnership
authority under section three, article three of this chapter:
(1) Each partner is an agent of the partnership for the
purpose of its business. An act of a partner, including the execution of an instrument in
the partnership name, for apparently carrying on in the ordinary course the partnership
business or business of the kind carried on by the partnership binds the partnership,
unless the partner had no authority to act for the partnership in the particular matter
and the person with whom the partner was dealing knew or had received a notification that
the partner lacked authority.
(2) An act of a partner which is not apparently for
carrying on in the ordinary course the partnership business or business of the kind
carried on by the partnership binds the partnership only if the act was authorized by the
other partners.
§47B-3-2. Transfer of partnership
property.
(a) Partnership property may be transferred as follows:
(1) Subject to the effect of a statement of partnership
authority under section three, article three of this chapter, partnership property held in
the name of the partnership may be transferred by an instrument of transfer executed by a
partner in the partnership name.
(2) Partnership property held in the name of one or more
partners with an indication in the instrument transferring the property to them of their
capacity as partners or of the existence of a partnership, but without an indication of
the name of the partnership, may be transferred by an instrument of transfer executed by
the persons in whose name the property is held.
(3) Partnership property held in the name of one or more
persons other than the partnership, without an indication in the instrument transferring
the property to them of their capacity as partners or of the existence of a partnership,
may be transferred by an instrument of transfer executed by the persons in whose name the
property is held.
(b) A partnership may recover partnership property from a
transferee only if it proves that execution of the instrument of initial transfer did not
bind the partnership under section one, article three of this chapter, and:
(1) As to a subsequent transferee who gave value for
property transferred under subdivisions (1) and (2), subsection (a) of this section,
proves that the subsequent transferee knew or had received a notification that the person
who executed the instrument of initial transfer lacked authority to bind the partnership;
or
(2) As to a transferee who gave value for property
transferred under subdivision (3), subsection (a) of this section, proves that the
transferee knew or had received a notification that the property was partnership property
and that the person who executed the instrument of initial transfer lacked authority to
bind the partnership.
(c) A partnership may not recover partnership property from
a subsequent transferee if the partnership would not have been entitled to recover the
property, under subsection (b) of this section, from any earlier transferee of the
property.
(d) If a person holds all of the partners' interests in the
partnership, all of the partnership property vests in that person. The person may execute
a document in the name of the partnership to evidence vesting of the property in that
person and may file or record the document.
§47B-3-3. Statement of partnership
authority.
(a) A partnership may file a statement of partnership
authority, which:
(1) Must include:
(i) The name of the partnership;
(ii) The street address of its chief executive office and
of one office in this state, if there is one;
(iii) The names and mailing addresses of all of the
partners or of an agent appointed and maintained by the partnership for the purpose of
subsection (b) of this section; and
(iv) The names of the partners authorized to execute an
instrument transferring real property held in the name of the partnership; and
(2) May state the authority, or limitations on the
authority, of some or all of the partners to enter into other transactions on behalf of
the partnership and any other matter.
(b) If a statement of partnership authority names an agent,
the agent shall maintain a list of the names and mailing addresses of all of the partners
and make it available to any person on request for good cause shown.
(c) If a filed statement of partnership authority is
executed pursuant to subsection (c), section five, article one of this chapter and states
the name of the partnership but does not contain all of the other information required by
subsection (a) of this section, the statement nevertheless operates with respect to a
person not a partner as provided in subsections (d) and (e) of this section.
(d) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (g) of this
section, a filed statement of partnership authority supplements the authority of a partner
to enter into transactions on behalf of the partnership as follows:
(1) Except for transfers of real property, a grant of
authority contained in a filed statement of partnership authority is conclusive in favor
of a person who gives value without knowledge to the contrary, so long as and to the
extent that a limitation on that authority is not then contained in another filed
statement. A filed cancellation of a limitation on authority revives the previous grant of
authority.
(2) A grant of authority to transfer real property held in
the name of the partnership contained in a certified copy of a filed statement of
partnership authority recorded in the office for recording transfers of that real property
is conclusive in favor of a person who gives value without knowledge to the contrary, so
long as and to the extent that a certified copy of a filed statement containing a
limitation on that authority is not then of record in the office for recording transfers
of that real property. The recording in the office for recording transfers of that real
property of a certified copy of a filed cancellation of a limitation on authority revives
the previous grant of authority.
(e) A person not a partner is deemed to know of a
limitation on the authority of a partner to transfer real property held in the name of the
partnership if a certified copy of the filed statement containing the limitation on
authority is of record in the office for recording transfers of that real property.
(f) Except as otherwise provided in subsections (d) and (e)
of this section and section four, article seven and section five, article eight of this
chapter, a person not a partner is not deemed to know of a limitation on the authority of
a partner merely because the limitation is contained in a filed statement.
(g) Unless earlier canceled, a filed statement of
partnership authority is canceled by operation of law five years after the date on which
the statement, or the most recent amendment, was filed with the secretary of state.
§47B-3-4. Statement of denial.
A partner or other person named as a partner in a filed
statement of partnership authority or in a list maintained by an agent pursuant to
subsection (b), section three, article three of this chapter may file a statement of
denial stating the name of the partnership and the fact that is being denied, which may
include denial of a person's authority or status as a partner. A statement of denial is a
limitation on authority as provided in subsections (d) and (e), section three, article
three of this chapter.
§47B-3-5. Partnership liable for
partner's actionable conduct.
(a) A partnership is liable for loss or injury caused to a
person, or for a penalty incurred, as a result of a wrongful act or omission, or other
actionable conduct, of a partner acting in the ordinary course of business of the
partnership or with authority of the partnership.
(b) If, in the course of the partnership's business or
while acting with authority of the partnership, a partner receives or causes the
partnership to receive money or property of a person not a partner, and the money or
property is misapplied by a partner, the partnership is liable for the loss.
§47B-3-6. Partner's liability.
(a) Except as otherwise
provided in subsections (b) and (c) of this section, all partners are liable jointly and
severally for all obligations of the partnership unless otherwise agreed by the claimant
or provided by law.
(b) A person admitted as a partner into an existing
partnership, including a registered limited liability partnership, is not personally
liable for any partnership obligation incurred before the person's admission as a partner.
(c) Subject to the provisions of subsection (d) of this
section, a partner in a registered limited liability partnership is not personally liable
directly or indirectly (including by way of indemnification, contribution or otherwise)
for debts, obligations and liabilities of or chargeable to the partnership, whether in
tort, contract or otherwise, arising from omissions, negligence, wrongful acts, misconduct
or malpractice committed while the partnership is a registered limited liability
partnership and in the course of partnership business by another partner or by an
employee, agent or representative of the partnership.
(d) Subsection (c) of this section does not affect the
liability of a partner in a registered limited liability partnership for the partner's own
omissions, negligence, wrongful acts, misconduct or malpractice, or that of any person
under the partner's direct supervision and control.
§47B-3-7. Actions by and against
partnership and partners.
(a) A partnership may sue and
be sued in the name of the partnership.
(b) An action may be brought
against the partnership and any or all of the partners who are personally liable for
obligations of the partnership under section six of this article in the same action or in
separate actions.
(c) A judgment against a
partnership is not by itself a judgment against a partner. A judgment against a
partnership may not be satisfied from a partner's assets unless there is also a judgment
against the partner.
(d) A judgment creditor of a
partner may not levy execution against the assets of a partner who is personally liable
for obligations of the partnership under section six of this article to satisfy a judgment
based on a claim against the partnership unless:
(1) A judgment based on the
same claim has been obtained against the partnership and a writ of execution on the
judgment has been returned unsatisfied, in whole or in part;
(2) The partnership is a
debtor in bankruptcy;
(3) The partner has agreed
that the creditor need not exhaust partnership assets;
(4) A court grants permission
to the judgment creditor to levy execution against the assets of a partner based on a
finding that partnership assets subject to execution are clearly insufficient to satisfy
the judgment, that exhaustion of partnership assets is excessively burdensome, or that the
grant of permission is an appropriate exercise of the court's equitable powers; or
(5) Liability is imposed on
the partner by law or contract independent of the existence of the partnership.
(e) This section applies to
any partnership liability or obligation resulting from a representation by a partner or
purported partner under section eight of this article.
§47B-3-8.
Liability of purported partner.
(a) If a person, by words or conduct, purports to be a
partner, or consents to being represented by another as a partner, in a partnership or
with one or more persons not partners, the purported partner is liable to a person to whom
the representation is made:
(1) If that person, relying on the representation, enters
into a transaction with the actual or purported partnership; and
(2) The purported partner would have been personally liable
for obligations of the partnership under section six of this article if the purported
partner had actually been a partner.
(b) Subject to subsection (a) of this section, if the
representation, either by the purported partner or by a person with the purported
partner's consent, is made in a public manner, the purported partner is liable to a person
who relies upon the purported partnership even if the purported partner is not aware of
being held out as a partner to the claimant. If partnership liability results, the
purported partner is liable with respect to that liability as if the purported partner
were a partner. If no partnership liability results, the purported partner is liable with
respect to that liability jointly and severally with any other person consenting to the
representation.
(c) If a person is thus represented to be a partner in an
existing partnership, or with one or more persons not partners, the purported partner is
an agent of persons consenting to the representation to bind them to the same extent and
in the same manner as if the purported partner were a partner, with respect to persons who
enter into transactions in reliance upon the representation. If all of the partners of the
existing partnership consent to the representation, a partnership act or obligation
results. If fewer than all of the partners of the existing partnership consent to the
representation, the person acting and the partners consenting to the representation are
jointly and severally liable as if such person had actually been a partner.
(d) A person is not liable as a partner merely because the
person is named by another in a statement of partnership authority.
(e) A person does not continue to be liable as a partner
merely because of a failure to file a statement of dissociation or to amend a statement of
partnership authority to indicate the partner's dissociation from the partnership.
(f) Except as provided in subsections (a), (b) and (c) of
this section, persons who are not partners as to each other are not liable as partners to
other persons.
ARTICLE 4. RELATIONS OF PARTNERS TO EACH
OTHER AND TO PARTNERSHIP.
§47B-4-1. Partner's rights and duties.
(a) Each partner is deemed to have an account that is:
(1) Credited with an amount equal to the money plus the
value of any other property, net of the amount of any liabilities as provided in section
six, article three of this chapter, the partner contributes to the partnership and the
partner's share of the partnership profits; and
(2) Charged with an amount equal to the money plus the
value of any other property, net of the amount of any liabilities, distributed by the
partnership to the partner and the partner's share of the partnership losses: Provided,
That a partner shall be personally liable on account of such charges only as provided in
section six, article three and section seven, article eight, both of this chapter.
(b) Each partner: (i) Shall share equally in partnership
profits; and (ii) shall share in partnership losses as provided in section seven, article
eight of this chapter in proportion to the partner's share of the profits.
(c) A partnership shall reimburse a partner for payments
made and indemnify a partner for liabilities incurred by the partner in the ordinary
course of the business of the partnership or for the preservation of its business or
property: Provided, That no other partner shall be required to make any payment,
except as provided in section seven, article eight of this chapter, including any payments
attributable all or in part to partnership liabilities for reimbursement or
indemnification.
(d) A partnership shall reimburse a partner for an advance
to the partnership beyond the amount of capital the partner agreed to contribute.
(e) A payment or advance made by a partner which gives rise
to a partnership obligation under subsection (c) or (d) of this section constitutes a loan
to the partnership which accrues interest from the date of the payment or advance.
(f) Each partner has equal rights in the management and
conduct of the partnership business.
(g) A partner may use or possess partnership property only
on behalf of the partnership.
(h) A partner is not entitled to remuneration for services
performed for the partnership, except for reasonable compensation for services rendered in
winding up the business of the partnership.
(i) A person may become a partner only with the consent of
all of the partners.
(j) A difference arising as to a matter in the ordinary
course of business of a partnership may be decided by a majority of the partners. An act
outside the ordinary course of business of a partnership and an amendment to the
partnership agreement may be undertaken only with the consent of all of the partners.
(k) This section does not affect the obligations of a
partnership to other persons under section one, article three of this chapter.
§47B-4-2. Distributions in kind.
A partner has no right to receive, and may not be required
to accept, a distribution in kind.
§47B-4-3. Partner's rights and duties
with respect to information.
(a) A partnership shall keep its books and records, if any,
at its chief executive office.
(b) A partnership shall provide partners and their agents
and attorneys access to its books and records. It shall provide former partners and their
agents and attorneys access to books and records pertaining to the period during which
they were partners. The right of access provides the opportunity to inspect and copy books
and records during ordinary business hours. A partnership may impose a reasonable charge,
covering the costs of labor and material, for copies of documents furnished.
(c) Each partner and the partnership shall furnish to a
partner, and to the legal representative of a deceased partner or partner under legal
disability:
(1) Without demand, any information concerning the
partnership's business and affairs reasonably required for the proper exercise of the
partner's rights and duties under the partnership agreement or this chapter; and
(2) On demand, any other information concerning the
partnership's business and affairs, except to the extent the demand or the information
demanded is unreasonable or otherwise improper under the circumstances.
§47B-4-4. General standards of partner's
conduct.
(a) The only fiduciary duties a partner owes to the
partnership and the other partners are the duty of loyalty and the duty of care set forth
in subsections (b) and (c) of this section.
(b) A partner's duty of loyalty to the partnership and the
other partners is limited to the following:
(1) To account to the partnership and hold as trustee for
it any property, profit or benefit derived by the partner in the conduct and winding up of
the partnership business or derived from a use by the partner of partnership property,
including the appropriation of a partnership opportunity;
(2) To refrain from dealing with the partnership in the
conduct or winding up of the partnership business as or on behalf of a party having an
interest adverse to the partnership; and
(3) To refrain from competing with the partnership in the
conduct of the partnership business before the dissolution of the partnership.
(c) A partner's duty of care to the partnership and the
other partners in the conduct and winding up of the partnership business is limited to
refraining from engaging in grossly negligent or reckless conduct, intentional misconduct,
or a knowing violation of law.
(d) A partner shall discharge the duties to the partnership
and the other partners under this chapter or under the partnership agreement and exercise
any rights consistently with the obligation of good faith and fair dealing.
(e) A partner does not violate a duty or obligation under
this chapter or under the partnership agreement merely because the partner's conduct
furthers the partner's own interest.
(f) A partner may lend money to and transact other business
with the partnership, and as to each loan or transaction the rights and obligations of the
partner are the same as those of a person who is not a partner, subject to other
applicable law.
(g) This section applies to a person winding up the
partnership business as the personal or legal representative of the last surviving partner
as if the person were a partner.
§47B-4-5. Actions by partnership and
partners.
(a) A partnership may maintain an action against a partner
for a breach of the partnership agreement, or for the violation of a duty to the
partnership, causing harm to the partnership.
(b) A partner may maintain an action against the
partnership or another partner for legal or equitable relief, with or without an
accounting as to partnership business, to:
(1) Enforce the partner's rights under the partnership
agreement;
(2) Enforce the partner's rights under this chapter,
including:
(i) The partner's rights under sections one, three or four,
article four of this chapter;
(ii) The partner's right on dissociation to have the
partner's interest in the partnership purchased pursuant to section one, article seven of
this chapter or enforce any other right under article six or seven;
(iii) The partner's right to compel a dissolution and
winding up of the partnership business under section one, article eight of this chapter or
enforce any other right under article eight; or
(3) Enforce the rights and otherwise protect the interests
of the partner, including rights and interests arising independently of the partnership
relationship.
(c) The accrual of, and any time limitation on, a right of
action for a remedy under this section is governed by other law. A right to an accounting
upon a dissolution and winding up does not revive a claim barred by law.
§47B-4-6. Continuation of partnership
beyond definite term or particular undertaking.
(a) If a partnership for a definite term or particular
undertaking is continued, without an express agreement, after the expiration of the term
or completion of the undertaking, the rights and duties of the partners remain the same as
they were at the expiration or completion, so far as is consistent with a partnership at
will.
(b) If the partners, or those of them who habitually acted
in the business during the term or undertaking, continue the business without any
settlement or liquidation of the partnership, they are presumed to have agreed that the
partnership will continue.
ARTICLE 5. TRANSFEREES AND CREDITORS OF
PARTNER.
§47B-5-1. Partner not co-owner of
partnership property.
A partner is not a co-owner of partnership property and has
no interest in partnership property which can be transferred, either voluntarily or
involuntarily.
§47B-5-2. Partner's transferable interest
in partnership.
The only transferable interest of a partner in the
partnership is the partner's share of the profits and losses of the partnership and the
partner's right to receive distributions. The interest is personal property.
§47B-5-3. Transfer of partner's
transferable interest.
(a) A transfer, in whole or in part, of a partner's
transferable interest in the partnership:
(1) Is permissible;
(2) Does not by itself cause the partner's dissociation or
a dissolution and winding up of the partnership business; and
(3) Does not, as against the other partners or the
partnership, entitle the transferee, during the continuance of the partnership, to
participate in the management or conduct of the partnership business, to require access to
information concerning partnership transactions, or to inspect or copy the partnership
books or records.
(b) A transferee of a partner's transferable interest in
the partnership has a right:
(1) To receive, in accordance with the transfer,
distributions to which the transferor would otherwise be entitled;
(2) To receive upon the dissolution and winding up of the
partnership business, in accordance with the transfer, the net amount otherwise
distributable to the transferor; and
(3) To seek under subdivision (6), section one, article
eight of this chapter a judicial determination that it is equitable to wind up the
partnership business.
(c) In a dissolution and winding up, a transferee is
entitled to an account of partnership transactions only from the date of the latest
account agreed to by all of the partners.
(d) Upon transfer, the transferor retains the rights and
duties of a partner other than the interest in distributions transferred.
(e) A partnership need not give effect to a transferee's
rights under this section until it has notice of the transfer.
(f) A transfer of a partner's transferable interest in the
partnership in violation of a restriction on transfer contained in the partnership
agreement is ineffective as to a person having notice of the restriction at the time of
transfer.
§47B-5-4. Partner's transferable interest
subject to charging order.
(a) On application by a judgment creditor of a partner or
of a partner's transferee, a court having jurisdiction may charge the transferable
interest of the judgment debtor to satisfy the judgment. The court may appoint a receiver
of the share of the distributions due or to become due to the judgment debtor in respect
of the partnership and make all other orders, directions, accounts, and inquiries the
judgment debtor might have made or which the circumstances of the case may require.
(b) A charging order constitutes a lien on the judgment
debtor's transferable interest in the partnership. The court may order a foreclosure of
the interest subject to the charging order at any time. The purchaser at the foreclosure
sale has the rights of a transferee.
(c) At any time before foreclosure, an interest charged may
be redeemed:
(1) By the judgment debtor;
(2) With property other than partnership property, by one
or more of the other partners; or
(3) With partnership property, by one or more of the other
partners with the consent of all of the partners whose interests are not so charged.
(d) This chapter does not deprive a partner of a right
under exemption laws with respect to the partner's interest in the partnership.
(e) This section provides the exclusive remedy by which a
judgment creditor of a partner or partner's transferee may satisfy a judgment out of the
judgment debtor's transferable interest in the partnership.
ARTICLE 6. PARTNER'S DISSOCIATION.
§47B-6-1. Events causing partner's
dissociation.
A partner is dissociated from a partnership upon the
occurrence of any of the following events:
(1) The partnership's having notice of the partner's
express will to withdraw as a partner or on a later date specified by the partner;
(2) An event agreed to in the partnership agreement as
causing the partner's dissociation;
(3) The partner's expulsion pursuant to the partnership
agreement;
(4) The partner's expulsion by the unanimous vote of the
other partners if:
(i) It is unlawful to carry on the partnership business
with that partner;
(ii) There has been a transfer of all or substantially all
of that partner's transferable interest in the partnership, other than a transfer for
security purposes, or a court order charging the partner's interest, which has not been
foreclosed;
(iii) Within ninety days after the partnership notifies a
corporate partner that it will be expelled because it has filed a certificate of
dissolution or the equivalent, its charter has been revoked, or its right to conduct
business has been suspended by the jurisdiction of its incorporation, there is no
revocation of the certificate of dissolution or no reinstatement of its charter or its
right to conduct business; or
(iv) A partnership that is a partner has been dissolved and
its business is being wound up;
(5) On application by the partnership or another partner,
the partner's expulsion by judicial determination because:
(i) The partner engaged in wrongful conduct that adversely
and materially affected the partnership business;
(ii) The partner willfully or persistently committed a
material breach of the partnership agreement or of a duty owed to the partnership or the
other partners under section four, article four of this chapter; or
(iii) The partner engaged in conduct relating to the
partnership business which makes it not reasonably practicable to carry on the business in
partnership with the partner;
(6) The partner's:
(i) Becoming a debtor in bankruptcy;
(ii) Executing an assignment for the benefit of creditors;
(iii) Seeking, consenting to, or acquiescing in the
appointment of a trustee, receiver, or liquidator of that partner or of all or
substantially all of that partner's property; or
(v) Failing, within ninety days after the appointment, to
have vacated or stayed the appointment of a trustee, receiver, or liquidator of the
partner or of all or substantially all of the partner's property obtained without the
partner's consent or acquiescence, or failing within ninety days after the expiration of a
stay to have the appointment vacated;
(7) In the case of a partner who is an individual:
(i) The partner's death;
(ii) The appointment of a guardian or general conservator
for the partner; or
(iii) A judicial determination that the partner has
otherwise become incapable of performing the partner's duties under the partnership
agreement;
(8) In the case of a partner that is a trust or is acting
as a partner by virtue of being a trustee of a trust, distribution of the trust's entire
transferable interest in the partnership, but not merely by reason of the substitution of
a successor trustee;
(9) In the case of a partner that is an estate or is acting
as a partner by virtue of being a personal representative of an estate, distribution of
the estate's entire transferable interest in the partnership, but not merely by reason of
the substitution of a successor personal representative; or
(10) Termination of a partner who is not an individual,
partnership, corporation, trust or estate.
§47B-6-2. Partner's power to dissociate;
wrongful dissociation.
(a) A partner has the power to dissociate at any time,
rightfully or wrongfully, by express will pursuant to subdivision (1), section one,
article six of this chapter.
(b) A partner's dissociation is wrongful only if:
(1) It is in breach of an express provision of the
partnership agreement; or
(2) In the case of a partnership for a definite term or
particular undertaking, before the expiration of the term or the completion of the
undertaking:
(i) The partner withdraws by express will, unless the
withdrawal follows within ninety days after another partner's dissociation by death or
otherwise under subdivisions (6) through (10), section one, article six of this chapter or
wrongful dissociation under this subsection;
(ii) The partner is expelled by judicial determination
under subdivision (5), section one, article six of this chapter;
(iii) The partner is dissociated by becoming a debtor in
bankruptcy; or
(iv) In the case of a partner who is not an individual,
trust other than a business trust, or estate, the partner is expelled or otherwise
dissociated because it willfully dissolved or terminated.
(c) A partner who wrongfully dissociates is liable to the
partnership and to the other partners for damages caused by the dissociation. The
liability is in addition to any other obligation of the partner to the partnership or to
the other partners.
§47B-6-3. Effect of partner's
dissociation.
(a) If a partner's dissociation results in a dissolution
and winding up of the partnership business, article eight of this chapter applies;
otherwise, article seven of this chapter applies.
(b) Upon a partner's dissociation:
(1) The partner's right to participate in the management
and conduct of the partnership business terminates, except as otherwise provided in
section three, article eight of this chapter;
(2) The partner's duty of loyalty under subdivision (3),
section four, article four of this chapter terminates; and
(3) The partner's duty of loyalty under subdivisions (1)
and (2), section four (b), article four of this chapter, and duty of care under subsection
(c), section four, article four of this chapter continue only with regard to matters
arising and events occurring before the partner's dissociation, unless the partner
participates in winding up the partnership's business pursuant to section three, article
eight of this chapter.
ARTICLE 7. PARTNER'S DISSOCIATION WHEN
BUSINESS NOT WOUND UP.
§47B-7-1. Purchase of dissociated
partner's interest.
(a) If a partner is dissociated from a partnership without
resulting in a dissolution and winding up of the partnership business under section one,
article eight of this chapter, the partnership shall cause the dissociated partner's
interest in the partnership to be purchased for a buyout price determined pursuant to
subsection (b) of this section.
(b) The buyout price of a dissociated partner's interest is
the amount that would have been distributable to the dissociating partner under subsection
(b), section seven, article eight of this chapter if, on the date of dissociation, the
assets of the partnership were sold at a price equal to the greater of the liquidation
value or the value based on a sale of the entire business as a going concern without the
dissociated partner and the partnership being wound up as of that date. Interest must be
paid from the date of dissociation to the date of payment.
(c) Damages for wrongful dissociation under subsection (b),
section two, article six of this chapter, and all other amounts owing, whether or not
presently due, from the dissociated partner to the partnership, must be offset against the
buyout price. Interest must be paid from the date the amount owed becomes due to the date
of payment.
(d) A partnership shall indemnify a dissociated partner
whose interest is being purchased against all partnership liabilities, whether incurred
before or after the dissociation, except liabilities incurred by an act of the dissociated
partner under section two, article seven of this chapter.
(e) If no agreement for the purchase of a dissociated
partner's interest is reached within one hundred twenty days after a written demand for
payment, the partnership shall pay, or cause to be paid, in cash to the dissociated
partner the amount the partnership estimates to be the buyout price and accrued interest,
reduced by any offsets and accrued interest under subsection (c) of this section.
(f) If a deferred payment is authorized under subsection
(h) of this section, the partnership may tender a written offer to pay the amount it
estimates to be the buyout price and accrued interest, reduced by any offsets under
subsection (c) of this section, stating the time of payment, the amount and type of
security for payment, and the other terms and conditions of the obligation.
(g) The payment or tender required by subsection (e) or (f)
of this section must be accompanied by the following:
(1) A statement of partnership assets and liabilities as of
the date of dissociation;
(2) The latest available partnership balance sheet and
income statement, if any;
(3) An explanation of how the estimated amount of the
payment was calculated; and
(4) Written notice that the payment is in full satisfaction
of the obligation to purchase unless, within one hundred twenty days after the written
notice, the dissociated partner commences an action to determine the buyout price, any
offsets under subsection (c) of this section, or other terms of the obligation to
purchase.
(h) A partner who wrongfully dissociates before the
expiration of a definite term or the completion of a particular undertaking is not
entitled to payment of any portion of the buyout price until the expiration of the term or
completion of the undertaking, unless the partner establishes to the satisfaction of the
court that earlier payment will not cause undue hardship to the business of the
partnership. A deferred payment must be adequately secured and bear interest.
(i) A dissociated partner may maintain an action against
the partnership, pursuant to paragraph (ii), subdivision (2), subsection (b), section
five, article four of this chapter, to determine the buyout price of that partner's
interest, any offsets under subsection (c) of this section, or other terms of the
obligation to purchase. The action must be commenced within one hundred twenty days after
the partnership has tendered payment or an offer to pay or within one year after written
demand for payment if no payment or offer to pay is tendered. The court shall determine
the buyout price of the dissociated partner's interest, any offset due under subsection
(c) of this section, and accrued interest, and enter judgment for any additional payment
or refund. If deferred payment is authorized under subsection (h) of this section, the
court shall also determine the security for payment and other terms of the obligation to
purchase. The court may assess reasonable attorney's fees and the fees and expenses of
appraisers or other experts for a party to the action, in amounts the court finds
equitable, against a party that the court finds acted arbitrarily, vexatiously, or not in
good faith. The finding may be based on the partnership's failure to tender payment or an
offer to pay or to comply with subsection (g) of this section.
§47B-7-2. Dissociated partner's power to
bind and liability to partnership.
(a) For two years after a partner dissociates without
resulting in a dissolution and winding up of the partnership business, the partnership,
including a surviving partnership under article nine of this chapter, is bound by an act
of the dissociated partner which would have bound the partnership under section one,
article three of this chapter before dissociation only if at the time of entering into the
transaction the other party:
(1) Reasonably believed that the dissociated partner was
then a partner;
(2) Did not have notice of the partner's dissociation; and
(3) Is not deemed to have had knowledge under subsection
(e), section three, article three or notice under subsection (c), section four, article
seven of this chapter.
(b) A dissociated partner is liable to the partnership for
any damage caused to the partnership arising from an obligation incurred by the
dissociated partner after dissociation for which the partnership is liable under
subsection (a) of this section.
§47B-7-3. Dissociated partner's liability
to other persons.
(a) A partner's dissociation does not of itself discharge
the partner's liability for a partnership obligation incurred before dissociation. A
dissociated partner is not liable for a partnership obligation incurred after
dissociation, except as otherwise provided in subsection (b) of this section.
(b) A partner who dissociates without resulting in a
dissolution and winding up of the partnership business is personally liable as a partner
to the other party on account of a partnership obligation incurred in connection with a
transaction entered into by the partnership, or a surviving partnership under article nine
of this chapter, within two years after the partner's dissociation, only if at the time of
entering into the transaction the other party:
(1) Reasonably believed that the dissociated partner was
then a partner;
(2) Did not have notice of the partner's dissociation;
(3) Is not deemed to have had knowledge under subsection
(e), section three, article three of this chapter or notice under subsection (c), section
four of this article; and
(4) The obligation is one on account of which the partner
would be personally liable under section six, article three of this chapter if the partner
had not dissociated from the partnership.
(c) By agreement with the partnership creditor and the
partners continuing the business, a dissociated partner may be released from liability for
a partnership obligation.
(d) A dissociated partner is released from liability for a
partnership obligation if a partnership creditor, with notice of the partner's
dissociation but without the partner's consent, agrees to a material alteration in the
nature or time of payment of a partnership obligation.
§47B-7-4. Statement of dissociation.
(a) A dissociated partner or the partnership may file a
statement of dissociation stating the name of the partnership and that the partner is
dissociated from the partnership.
(b) A statement of dissociation is a limitation on the
authority of a dissociated partner for the purposes of subsections (d) and (e), section
three, article three of this chapter.
(c) For the purposes of subdivision (3), subsection (a),
section two, and subdivision (3), subsection (b) of section three, article seven of this
chapter, a person not a partner is deemed to have notice of the dissociation ninety days
after the statement of dissociation is filed.
§47B-7-5. Continued use of partnership
name.
Continued use of a partnership name, or a dissociated
partner's name as part thereof, by partners continuing the business does not of itself
make the dissociated partner liable for an obligation of the partners or the partnership
continuing the business.
ARTICLE 8. WINDING UP PARTNERSHIP
BUSINESS.
§47B-8-1. Events causing dissolution and
winding up of partnership business.
A partnership is dissolved, and its business must be wound
up, only upon the occurrence of any of the following events:
(1) In a partnership at will, the partnership's having
notice from a partner, other than a partner who is dissociated under subdivisions (2)
through (10), section one, article six of this chapter, of that partner's express will to
withdraw as a partner, or on a later date specified by the partner;
(2) In a partnership for a definite term or particular
undertaking:
(i) The expiration of ninety days after a partner's
dissociation by death or otherwise under subdivisions (6) through (10), section one,
article six, or wrongful dissociation under subsection (b), section two, article six, both
of this chapter, unless before that time a majority in interest of the remaining partners,
including partners who have rightfully dissociated pursuant to paragraph (i), subdivision
(2), subsection (b), section two, article six of this chapter, agree to continue the
partnership;
(ii) The express will of all of the partners to wind up the
partnership business; or
(iii) The expiration of the term or the completion of the
undertaking;
(3) An event agreed to in the partnership agreement
resulting in the winding up of the partnership business;
(4) An event that makes it unlawful for all or
substantially all of the business of the partnership to be continued, but a cure of
illegality within ninety days after notice to the partnership of the event is effective
retroactively to the date of the event for purposes of this section;
(5) On application by a partner, a judicial determination
that:
(i) The economic purpose of the partnership is likely to be
unreasonably frustrated;
(ii) Another partner has engaged in conduct relating to the
partnership business which makes it not reasonably practicable to carry on the business in
partnership with that partner; or
(iii) It is not otherwise reasonably practicable to carry
on the partnership business in conformity with the partnership agreement; or
(6) On application by a transferee of a partner's
transferable interest, a judicial determination that it is equitable to wind up the
partnership business:
(i) After the expiration of the term or completion of the
undertaking, if the partnership was for a definite term or particular undertaking at the
time of the transfer or entry of the charging order that gave rise to the transfer; or
(ii) At any time, if the partnership was a partnership at
will at the time of the transfer or entry of the charging order that gave rise to the
transfer.
§47B-8-2. Partnership continued after
dissolution.
(a) Subject to subsection (b) of this section, a
partnership continues after dissolution only for the purpose of winding up its business.
The partnership is terminated when the winding up of its business is completed.
(b) At any time after the dissolution of a partnership and
before the winding up of its business is completed, all of the partners, including any
dissociating partner other than a wrongfully dissociating partner, may waive the right to
have the partnership's business wound up and the partnership terminated.
In that event:
(1) The partnership resumes carrying on its business as if
dissolution had never occurred, and any liability incurred by the partnership or a partner
after the dissolution and before the waiver is determined as if dissolution had never
occurred; and
(2) The rights of a third party accruing under subdivision
(1), section four, article eight of this chapter or arising out of conduct in reliance on
the dissolution before the third party knew or received a notification of the waiver may
not be adversely affected.
§47B-8-3. Right to wind up partnership
business.
(a) After dissolution, a partner who has not wrongfully
dissociated may participate in winding up the partnership's business, but on application
of any partner, partner's legal representative, or transferee, the circuit court or judge
thereof in vacation, for good cause shown, may order judicial supervision of the winding
up.
(b) The legal representative of the last surviving partner
may wind up a partnership's business.
(c) A person winding up a partnership's business may
preserve the partnership business or property as a going concern for a reasonable time,
prosecute and defend actions and proceedings, whether civil, criminal or administrative,
settle and close the partnership's business, dispose of and transfer the partnership's
property, discharge the partnership's liabilities, distribute the assets of the
partnership pursuant to section seven, article eight of this chapter, settle disputes by
mediation or arbitration, and perform other necessary acts.
§47B-8-4. Partner's power to bind
partnership after dissolution.
Subject to section five, article eight of this chapter, a
partnership is bound by a partner's act after dissolution that:
(1) Is appropriate for winding up the partnership business;
or
(2) Would have bound the partnership under section one,
article three of this chapter before dissolution, if the other party to the transaction
did not have notice of the dissolution.
§47B-8-5. Statement of dissolution.
(a) After dissolution, a partner who has not wrongfully
dissociated may file a statement of dissolution stating the name of the partnership and
that the partnership has dissolved and is winding up its business.
(b) A statement of dissolution cancels a filed statement of
partnership authority for the purposes of subsection (d), section three, article three of
this chapter and is a limitation on authority for the purposes of subsection (e), section
three, article three of this chapter.
(c) For the purposes of section one, article three and
section four, article eight, both of this chapter, a person not a partner is deemed to
have notice of the dissolution and the limitation on the partners' authority as a result
of the statement of dissolution ninety days after it is filed.
(d) After filing and, if appropriate, recording a statement
of dissolution, a dissolved partnership may file and, if appropriate, record a statement
of partnership authority which will operate with respect to a person not a partner as
provided in subsections (d) and (e), section three, article three of this chapter in any
transaction, whether or not the transaction is appropriate for winding up the partnership
business.
§47B-8-6. Partner's liability to other
partners after dissolution.
(a) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (b) of this
section, after dissolution a partner is liable to the other partners for the partner's
share of any partnership liability incurred under section four of this article for which
such partner is personally liable under section six, article three of this chapter.
(b) A partner who, with knowledge of the dissolution,
incurs a partnership liability under subsection (2), section four of this article by an
act that is not appropriate for winding up the partnership business is liable to the
partnership for any damage caused to the partnership arising from the liability.
§47B-8-7. Settlement of accounts and
contributions among partners.
(a) In winding up a partnership's business, the assets of
the partnership, including the contributions of the partners required by this section,
must be applied to discharge its obligations to creditors, including, to the extent
permitted by law, partners who are creditors. Any surplus must be applied to pay in cash
the net amount distributable to partners in accordance with their right to distributions
under subsection (b) of this section.
(b) Each partner is entitled to a settlement of all
partnership accounts upon winding up the partnership business. In settling accounts among
the partners, the profits and losses that result from the liquidation of the partnership
assets must be credited and charged to the partners' accounts. The partnership shall make
a distribution to a partner in an amount equal to any excess of the credits over the
charges in the partner's account. A partner shall contribute to the partnership an amount
equal to any excess of the charges over the credits in the partner's account that is
attributable to an obligation for which such partner is personally liable under section
six, article three of this chapter.
(c) If a partner fails or is not obligated to contribute,
all of the other partners shall contribute, in the proportions in which those partners
share partnership losses, the additional amount necessary to satisfy any partnership
obligations for which such partner is personally liable under section six, article three
of this chapter. A partner or partner's legal representative may recover from the other
partners any contributions the partner makes to the extent the amount contributed exceeds
that partner's share of the partnership obligations, to the extent such contributions are
made on account of obligations for which the other partners are liable under said section.
(d) After the settlement of accounts, each partner shall
contribute, in the proportion in which the partner shares partnership losses, the amount
necessary to satisfy partnership obligations for which such partner is personally liable
under section six, article three of this chapter and that were not known at the time of
settlement.
(e) The estate of a deceased partner is liable for the
partner's obligation to contribute to the partnership under subsection (b) of this
section.
(f) An assignee for the benefit of creditors of a
partnership or a partner, or a person appointed by a court to represent creditors of a
partnership or a partner, may enforce a partner's obligation to contribute to the
partnership under subsection (b) of this section.
ARTICLE 9. CONVERSIONS AND MERGERS.
§47B-9-1. Definitions.
In this article:
(1) "General partner" means a partner in a
partnership and a general partner in a limited partnership.
(2) "Limited partner" means a limited partner in
a limited partnership.
(3) "Limited partnership" means a limited
partnership created under section one, et seq., article nine, chapter forty-seven of this
code, predecessor law, or comparable law of another jurisdiction.
(4) "Partner" includes both a general partner and
a limited partner.
§47B-9-2. Conversion of partnership to
limited partnership.
(a) A partnership may be converted to a limited partnership
pursuant to this section.
(b) The terms and conditions of a conversion of a
partnership to a limited partnership must be approved by all of the partners or by a
number or percentage specified for conversion in the partnership agreement.
(c) After the conversion is approved by the partners, the
partnership shall file a certificate of limited partnership in the jurisdiction in which
the limited partnership is to be formed. The certificate must include:
(1) A statement that the partnership was converted to a
limited partnership from a partnership;
(2) Its former name; and
(3) A statement of the number of votes cast by the partners
for and against the conversion and, if the vote is less than unanimous, the number or
percentage required to approve the conversion under the partnership agreement.
(d) The conversion takes effect when the certificate of
limited partnership is filed or at any later date specified in the certificate.
(e) A general partner who becomes a limited partner as a
result of the conversion remains liable as a general partner for an obligation incurred by
the partnership before the conversion takes effect for which the partner is personally
liable under section six, article three of this chapter. If the other party to a
transaction with the limited partnership reasonably believes when entering the transaction
that the limited partner is a general partner, the limited partner is liable for an
obligation incurred by the limited partnership within ninety days after the conversion
takes effect for which a general partner would be personally liable under said section.
The limited partner's liability for all other obligations of the limited partnership
incurred after the conversion takes effect is that of a limited partner as provided in
sections one et seq., article nine, chapter forty-seven of this code.
§47B-9-3. Conversion of limited
partnership to partnership.
(a) A limited partnership may be converted to a partnership
pursuant to this section.
(b) Notwithstanding a provision to the contrary in a
limited partnership agreement, the terms and conditions of a conversion of a limited
partnership to a partnership must be approved by all of the partners.
(c) After the conversion is approved by the partners, the
limited partnership shall cancel its certificate of limited partnership.
(d) The conversion takes effect when the certificate of
limited partnership is canceled.
(e) A limited partner who becomes a general partner as a
result of the conversion remains liable only as a limited partner for an obligation
incurred by the limited partnership before the conversion takes effect. The partner is
liable as a general partner for an obligation of the partnership for which the partner is
personally liable under section six, article three of this chapter incurred after the
conversion takes effect.
§47B-9-4. Effect of conversion; entity
unchanged.
(a) A partnership or limited partnership that has been
converted pursuant to this article is for all purposes the same entity that existed before
the conversion.
(b) When a conversion takes effect:
(1) All property owned by the converting partnership or
limited partnership remains vested in the converted entity;
(2) All obligations of the converting partnership or
limited partnership continue as obligations of the converted entity; and
(3) An action or proceeding pending against the converting
partnership or limited partnership may be continued as if the conversion had not occurred.
§47B-9-5. Merger of partnerships.
(a) Pursuant to a plan of merger approved as provided in
subsection (c) of this section, a partnership may be merged with one or more partnerships
or limited partnerships.
(b) The plan of merger must set forth:
(1) The name of each partnership or limited partnership
that is a party to the merger;
(2) The name of the surviving entity into which the other
partnerships or limited partnerships will merge;
(3) Whether the surviving entity is a partnership or a
limited partnership and the status of each partner;
(4) The terms and conditions of the merger;
(5) The manner and basis of converting the interests of
each party to the merger into interests or obligations of the surviving entity, or into
money or other property, in whole or part; and
(6) The street address of the surviving entity's chief
executive office.
(c) The plan of merger must be approved:
(1) In the case of a partnership that is a party to the
merger, by all of the partners, or a number or percentage specified for merger in the
partnership agreement; and
(2) In the case of a limited partnership that is a party to
the merger, by the vote required for approval of a merger by the law of the state or
foreign jurisdiction in which the limited partnership is organized and, in the absence of
such a specifically applicable law, by all of the partners, notwithstanding a provision to
the contrary in the partnership agreement.
(d) After a plan of merger is approved and before the
merger takes effect, the plan may be amended or abandoned as provided in the plan.
(e) The merger takes effect on the later of:
(1) The approval of the plan of merger by all parties to
the merger, as provided in subsection (c) of this section;
(2) The filing of all documents required by law to be filed
as a condition to the effectiveness of the merger; or
(3) Any effective date specified in the plan of merger.
§47B-9-6. Effect of merger.
(a) When a merger takes effect:
(1) The separate existence of every partnership or limited
partnership that is a party to the merger, other than the surviving entity, ceases;
(2) All property owned by each of the merged partnerships
or limited partnerships vests in the surviving entity;
(3) All obligations of every partnership or limited
partnership that is a party to the merger become the obligations of the surviving entity;
and
(4) An action or proceeding pending against a partnership
or limited partnership that is a party to the merger may be continued as if the merger had
not occurred, or the surviving entity may be substituted as a party to the action or
proceeding.
(b) The secretary of state of this state is the agent for
service of process in an action or proceeding against a surviving foreign partnership or
limited partnership to enforce an obligation of a domestic partnership or limited
partnership that is a party to a merger. The surviving entity shall promptly notify the
secretary of state of the mailing address of its chief executive office and of any change
of address. Upon receipt of process, the secretary of state shall mail a copy of the
process to the surviving foreign partnership or limited partnership.
(c) A partner of the surviving partnership or limited
partnership is liable for:
(1) All obligations of a party to the merger for which the
partner was personally liable before the merger;
(2) All other obligations of the surviving entity incurred
before the merger by a party to the merger, but those obligations may be satisfied only
out of property of the entity; and
(3) All obligations of the surviving entity incurred after
the merger takes effect, but those obligations may be satisfied only out of property of
the entity if the partner is a limited partner.
(d) If the obligations incurred before the merger by a
party to the merger are not satisfied out of the property of the surviving partnership or
limited partnership, the general partners of that party immediately before the effective
date of the merger shall contribute the amount necessary to satisfy that party's
obligations to the surviving entity, in the manner provided in section seven, article
eight of this chapter or in the limited partnership act of the jurisdiction in which the
party was formed, as the case may be, as if the merged party were dissolved.
(e) A partner of a party to a merger who does not become a
partner of the surviving partnership or limited partnership is dissociated from the
entity, of which that partner was a partner, as of the date the merger takes effect. The
surviving entity shall cause the partner's interest in the entity to be purchased under
section one, article seven of this chapter or another statute specifically applicable to
that partner's interest with respect to a merger. The surviving entity is bound under
section two, article seven of this chapter by an act of a general partner dissociated
under this subsection, and the partner is liable under section three, article seven of
this chapter for transactions entered into by the surviving entity after the merger takes
effect.
§47B-9-7. Statement of merger.
(a) After a merger, the surviving partnership or limited
partnership may file a statement that one or more partnerships or limited partnerships
have merged into the surviving entity.
(b) A statement of merger must contain:
(1) The name of each partnership or limited partnership
that is a party to the merger;
(2) The name of the surviving entity into which the other
partnerships or limited partnership were merged;
(3) The street address of the surviving entity's chief
executive office and of an office in this state, if any; and
(4) Whether the surviving entity is a partnership or a
limited partnership.
(c) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (d) of this
section, for the purposes of section two, article three of this chapter, property of the
surviving partnership or limited partnership which before the merger was held in the name
of another party to the merger is property held in the name of the surviving entity upon
filing a statement of merger.
(d) For the purposes of section two, article three of this
chapter, real property of the surviving partnership or limited partnership which before
the merger was held in the name of another party to the merger is property held in the
name of the surviving entity upon recording a certified copy of the statement of merger in
the office for recording transfers of that real property.
(e) A filed and, if appropriate, recorded statement of
merger, executed and declared to be accurate pursuant to subsection (c), section five,
article one of this chapter, stating the name of a partnership or limited partnership that
is a party to the merger in whose name property was held before the merger and the name of
the surviving entity, but not containing all of the other information required by
subsection (b) of this section, operates with respect to the partnerships or limited
partnerships named to the extent provided in subsections (c) and (d) of this section.
§47B-9-8. Nonexclusive.
This article is not exclusive. Partnerships or limited
partnerships may be converted or merged in any other manner provided by law.
ARTICLE 10. LIMITED LIABILITY
PARTNERSHIPS.
§47B-10-1. Registered limited liability
partnerships.
(a) To become a registered limited liability partnership, a
partnership shall file with the secretary of state a statement of registration stating the
name of the partnership; the address of its principal office; if the partnership's
principal office is not located in this state, the address of a registered office and the
name and address of a registered agent for service of process in this state, which the
partnership will be required to maintain; a brief statement of the business in which the
partnership engages; any other matters that the partnership determines to include; and
that the partnership thereby registers as a registered limited liability partnership.
(b) The registration shall be executed by one or more
partners authorized to execute a registration.
(c) The registration shall be accompanied by a fee of two
hundred fifty dollars.
(d) The secretary of state shall register as a registered
limited liability partnership any partnership that submits a completed registration with
the required fee.
(e) A partnership registered under this section shall pay,
in each year following the year in which its registration is filed, on a date specified by
the secretary of state, an annual fee of five hundred dollars. The fee must be accompanied
by a notice, on a form provided by the secretary of state, of any material changes in the
information contained in the partnership's registration.
(f) Registration is effective:
(1) Immediately after the date a registration is filed; or
(2) On a date specified in the statement of registration,
which date shall not be more than sixty days after the date of filing.
(g) Registration remains effective until:
(1) It is voluntarily withdrawn by filing with the
secretary of state a statement of withdrawal; or
(2) Thirty days after receipt by the partnership of a
notice from the secretary of state, which notice shall be sent by certified mail, return
receipt requested, that the partnership has failed to make timely payment of the annual
fee specified in subsection (e) of this section, unless the fee is paid within such a
thirty-day period.
(h) The status of a partnership as a registered limited
liability partnership and the liability of the partners thereof shall not be affected by:
(1) Errors in the information contained in a statement of
registration under subsection (a) of this section or notice under subsection (e) of this
section; or
(2) Changes after the filing of such statement of
registration or notice in the information stated in the registration or notice.
(i) The secretary of state shall provide forms for the
statement of registration under subsection (a) of this section or a notice under
subsection (e) of this section.
§47B-10-2. Effect of registration; entity
unchanged.
(a) A partnership that has registered pursuant to this
article is for all purposes the same partnership that existed before the registration.
(b) When registration takes effect:
(1) All property owned by the registering partnership
remains vested in the registered partnership;
(2) All obligations of the registering partnership continue
as obligations of the registered partnership; and
(3) An action or proceeding pending against the registering
partnership may be continued as if the registration had not occurred.
§47B-10-3. Name of registered limited
liability partnership.
The name of a registered limited liability partnership
shall contain the words "Registered Limited Liability Partnership" or the
abbreviation "L.L.P." or "LLP" as the last words or letters of its
name.
§47B-10-4. Applicability of article to
foreign and interstate commerce.
(a) A registered limited liability partnership formed under
this article may conduct its business, carry on its operations, and have and exercise the
powers granted by this chapter in any state, territory, district or possession of the
United States or in any foreign country.
(b) It is the intent of the Legislature that the legal
existence of registered limited liability partnerships formed under this article be
recognized outside the boundaries of this state and that the laws of this state governing
such registered limited liability partnerships doing business outside this state be
granted the protection of full faith and credit under the Constitution of the United
States.
(c) Notwithstanding section six, article one of this
chapter, the internal affairs of registered limited liability partnerships formed under
this article, including the liability of partners for debts, obligations and liabilities
of or chargeable to the partnership, shall be subject to and governed by the laws of this
state.
(d) Before transacting business in this state, a foreign
registered limited liability partnership shall:
(i) Comply with any statutory or administrative
registration or filing requirements governing the specific type of business in which the
partnership is engaged; and
(ii) File a notice with the secretary of state, on such
forms as the secretary of state shall provide, stating the name of the partnership; the
address of its principal office; if the partnership's principal office is not located in
this state, the address of a registered office and the name and address of a registered
agent for service of process in this state, which the partnership will be required to
maintain; any other matters that the partnership determines to include; and a brief
statement of the business in which the partnership engages. Such notice shall be effective
for two years from the date of filing, after which time the partnership shall file a new
notice.
(e) The name of a foreign registered limited liability
partnership doing business in this state shall contain the words "Registered Limited
Liability Partnership" or the abbreviation "L.L.P." or "LLP" as
the last words or letters of its name.
(f) Notwithstanding section six, article one of this
chapter, the internal affairs of foreign registered limited liability partnerships,
including the liability of partners for debts, obligations and liabilities of or
chargeable to the partnership, shall be subject to and governed by the laws of the
jurisdiction in which the foreign registered limited liability partnership is registered.
§47B-10-5. Insurance or financial
responsibility of registered limited liability partnerships.
(a) A registered limited liability partnership, and any
foreign limited liability partnership transacting business in this state, shall carry at
all times at least one million dollars of liability insurance of a kind that is designed
to cover the kinds of omissions, negligence, wrongful acts, misconduct and malpractice for
which liability is limited by subsection (c), section six, article three of this chapter
and which insures the partnership and its partners.
(b) If, in any proceeding, compliance by a partnership with
the requirements of subsection (a) of this section is disputed, that issue shall be
determined by the court, and the burden of proof of compliance shall be on the person who
claims the limitation of liability in subsection (c), section six, article three of this
chapter.
(c) If a registered limited liability partnership is in
compliance with the requirements of subsection (a) of this section, the requirements of
this section shall not be admissible or in any way be made known to a jury in determining
an issue of liability for or extent of the obligation or damages in question.
(d) A registered limited liability partnership is
considered to be in compliance with subsection (a) of this section if the partnership
provides one million dollars of funds specifically designated and segregated for the
satisfaction of judgments against the partnership or its partners based on the kinds of
omissions, negligence, wrongful acts, misconduct and malpractice for which liability is
limited by subsection (c), section six, article three of this chapter, by:
(1) Deposit in trust or in bank escrow of cash, bank
certificates of deposit or United States Treasury obligations; or
(2) A bank letter of credit or insurance company bond.
(e) Any policy or contract of liability insurance providing
coverage for liability as described in this section shall be read so as to contain a
provision or endorsement whereby the company issuing such policy waives or agrees not to
assert as a defense on behalf of the policyholder or any beneficiary thereof, to any claim
covered by the terms of such policy within the policy limits, the immunity from liability
of the insured granted by the provisions of this chapter.
ARTICLE 11. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.
§47B-11-1. Uniformity of application and
construction.
This chapter shall be applied and construed to effectuate
its general purpose to make uniform the law with respect to the subject of this chapter
among states enacting it.
§47B-11-2. Short title.
This chapter may be cited as the Uniform Partnership
Act.
§47B-11-3. Severability clause.
If any provision of this chapter or its application to any
person or circumstance is held invalid, the invalidity does not affect other provisions or
applications of this chapter which can be given effect without the invalid provision or
application, and to this end the provisions of this chapter are severable.
§47B-11-4. Applicability.
(a) Before the first day of July, one thousand nine hundred
ninety-five, this chapter governs only a partnership formed:
(1) After the effective date of this chapter, unless that
partnership is continuing the business of a dissolved partnership under section forty-one,
article eight-a, chapter forty-seven of this code; and
(2) Before the effective date of this chapter, that elects,
as provided by subsection (c) of this section, to be governed by this chapter.
(b) After the first day of July, one thousand nine hundred
ninety-five, this chapter governs all partnerships.
(c) Before the first day of July, one thousand nine hundred
ninety-five, a partnership voluntarily may elect, in the manner provided in its
partnership agreement or by law for amending the partnership agreement, to be governed by
this chapter. The provisions of this chapter relating to the liability of the
partnership's partners to third parties apply to limit those partners' liability to a
third party who had done business with the partnership within one year preceding the
partnership's election to be governed by this chapter, only if the third party knows or
has received a notification of the partnership's election to be governed by this chapter.
§47B-11-5. Savings clause.
This chapter does not affect an action or proceeding
commenced or right accrued before this chapter takes effect.