Selling Partnership Shares

Selling partnership shares often involves various considerations.  In most partnerships, partners can choose to sell their share of the partnership to the partnership or a new potential partner as part of the resolution of a partnership dispute or simply because the individual or entity no longer desires to be part of the partnership.

Selling partnership shares will be governed by a partnership agreement, or if there is no partnership agreement, state law will govern sale of a partnership share. It is especially important to check the provisions of a partnership agreement before selling a partnership share, as there might be restrictions on share sales.  For example, a “right of first offer” provision may subject the selling partner to financial penalties or a lawsuit if there is no initial offer to existing partners before offering to sell to outsiders. Also, a partnership agreement might have certain notice requirements that a partner must follow when considering selling his, her or its share.

It is also important to consider what will and will not change as a result of the  sale of a partnership interest.  For example, according to California Corporations Code Section 16201, “partnership is an entity distinct from its partners.” Therefore, if a partner sells their share, that change alone will not dissolve a partnership or create a new one. The original partnership entity will continue to exist despite such changes.  Similarly, section 16502 of California’s Corporation Code provides that a partner’s only transferable interest is “the partner’s share of the profits and losses of the partnership and the partner’s right to receive distributions.” This means that when a partner is selling partnership shares, they are really only transferring their financial interest in the partnership. All other interests are separate, and must be dealt with separately.