Closely Held Business Law

Front 1

Dissociation

Back 1

The change in relationship caused by a partner's ceasing to be associated in the carrying on of the business of the partnership. This may or may not lead to dissolution of the partnership. This concept is RUPA dependent, the UPA does not recognize it.

Under the UPA, Section 29, a partnership is dissolved every time a partner leaves.

Front 2

Dissociation Events

Back 2

Can include: (1) notice of the partner's express will to withdraw; (2) occurrence of agreed upon event; (3) expulsion pursuant to the Agreement; or (4) expulsion by the unanimous vote of the other partners if: (a) it is unlawful to carry on the partnership business with that partner; (b) there has been a transfer of all or substantially all of that partner's transferable interest in the partnership; (c) corporate partnership is dissolved; (d) a partnership that is also a partner has been dissolved.
(5) Partner's expulsion by judicial determination because of wrongful conduct, material breach of the partnership agreement, conduct which makes it not reasonably practicable to carry on the business in partnership with the partner
6. The partner's, becoming a debtor in bankruptcy;
executing an assignment for the benefit of creditors; appointment of a trustee, receiver, or liquidator
7. The partner's death; the appointment of a guardian or general conservator for the partner; or a judicial determination that the partner has otherwise become incapable of performing the partner's duties

Front 3

Wrongful Dissociation

Back 3

(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,
(ii) the partner is expelled by judicial determination
iii) the partner is dissociated by becoming a debtor in bankruptcy or
(iv) the partner is expelled or otherwise dissociated because it willfully dissolved or terminated.
A partner who wrongfully dissociates is liable to the partnership and to the other partners for damages caused by the dissociation.

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Effect of Dissociation

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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 803;
(2) the partner's duty of loyalty under Section 404(b)(3) terminates (competing with the partnership); and(3) the partner's duty of loyalty under Section 404(b)(1) and (2) and duty of care under Section 404(c) 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 803.

Front 5

Dissolution

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“Dissolution" is the commencement of the winding up process.

The partnership continues for the limited purpose of winding up the
business.

Winding up the partnership business entails selling its assets, paying its
debts, and distributing the net balance, if any, to the partners in cash
according to their interests.

When the winding up is completed, the partnership entity terminates.

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Effect of Dissolution

Back 6

After a partner's dissociation
The partner's interest in the partnership must be
purchased pursuant to the buyout rules in Article 7
or
Dissolution and winding up of the partnership
business occurs under Article 8.
A partner's dissociation will always result in either a
buyout of the dissociated partner's interest or a
dissolution and winding up of the business.

Front 7

Operation of Section 701 of RUPA

Back 7

a) If a partner is dissociated from a partnership without resulting in a dissolution and winding up of the partnership business under Section 801, the partnership shall cause the dissociated partner's interest in the partnership to be purchased for a buyout price determined pursuant to subsection (b).

b) The buyout price of a dissociated partner's interest is the amount that would have been distributable to the dissociating partner under Section 807(b) 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 were wound up as of that date. Interest must be paid from the date of dissociation to the date of payment.