Free Partnership Agreement Generator

A partnership agreement is a legal contract between two or more business partners that defines ownership, profit-sharing, roles, and exit terms. Every partnership eventually disagrees — the purpose of this agreement is to make that disagreement a paperwork exercise instead of an existential one. This generator produces a two-partner agreement covering capital contributions, profit-sharing, roles, decision authority and, most importantly, how a partner exits and how disputes are resolved.

PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT

Live document preview

Updates as you type

PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT

Legal Disclaimer: This document is a general template and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney for advice specific to your situation and jurisdiction.

Effective Date: 2026-09-08

This Partnership Agreement is entered into between [Partner A] and [Partner B] (collectively, the "Partners") for the purpose of carrying on business under the name [Business Name] (the "Partnership").

WHEREAS the Partners wish to associate as general partners for the operation of a business enterprise;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein, the Partners agree as follows:

1. Formation and Name

The Partners hereby form a general partnership under the name [Business Name], effective from the date first written above.

2. Capital Contributions

Each Partner shall contribute capital to the Partnership as follows:

  • [Partner A]: [amount]
  • [Partner B]: [amount]

3. Profit and Loss Sharing

Net profits and losses of the Partnership shall be allocated between the Partners in the following ratio: [A] — 50%, [B] — 50%. Distributions shall be made from available cash after providing for reasonable working capital needs.

4. Roles and Responsibilities

[Partner A]: —

[Partner B]: —

5. Decision Making

Decisions in the ordinary course of business may be taken by either Partner. Decisions outside the ordinary course — including admission of new partners, incurring debt above a mutually agreed threshold, sale of substantial assets, or dissolution — require the unanimous written consent of both Partners.

6. Banking and Accounts

The Partnership shall maintain one or more bank accounts in its name. All Partnership funds shall be deposited to such accounts. Withdrawals shall require the signature of either Partner up to a mutually agreed limit and both Partners above that limit.

7. Books and Records

The Partnership shall keep accurate books of account, which shall be open to inspection by either Partner at all reasonable times. Financial statements shall be prepared at the end of each fiscal year.

8. Dispute Resolution

Any dispute arising out of this Agreement shall first be resolved through good-faith negotiation, then mediation, then arbitration. Only if such efforts fail may either Partner initiate legal proceedings.

9. Withdrawal and Dissolution

A Partner may withdraw upon 90 days written notice. Upon withdrawal, death, or bankruptcy of a Partner, the remaining Partner shall have the right of first refusal to purchase the withdrawing Partner's interest at fair market value. Failing agreement on value, an independent valuer shall be appointed.

10. Governing Law

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of California, USA.

Governed by the laws of California, USA.

Signed and Agreed

Partner A
Partner
Partner B
Partner

Legal Disclaimer: This document is a general template and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney for advice specific to your situation and jurisdiction.

What the Partnership Agreement Generator does

A partnership agreement is a contract between two or more co-owners of a business that fixes capital contributions, profit-sharing ratios, decision authority and the process for a partner to exit.

Methodology and formula

Clause anatomy: Partner Names and Business Name -> Capital Contributions -> Profit/Loss Sharing Ratio (distinct from ownership %) -> Roles and Decision Authority -> Admission of New Partners -> Exit/Buy-out Valuation Method -> Dispute Resolution Ladder (negotiation to mediation to arbitration) -> Dissolution Terms -> Signatures.

Worked example

Inputs
General partnership between Arjun Mehta and Lena Fischer trading as Meridian Consulting, capital split 60/40, profit share 55/45 reflecting Arjun's client-acquisition role, governing law India, registered under the Partnership Act 1932.
Result
Agreement fixing 60/40 ownership but 55/45 profit split, buy-out clause valuing a departing partner's share at book value plus 2x average annual profit, mediation-first dispute clause before arbitration in Mumbai.

Ownership and profit share are deliberately different numbers here because Arjun contributes more capital but Lena delivers more billable hours — writing both down separately avoids the common 18-month-in resentment over who 'really' earns their share.

When to use this tool

Use a Partnership Agreement when two or more people co-own and jointly run a business. If one party is simply supplying services or goods to the other rather than co-owning the venture, a Service Agreement or Vendor Agreement is the correct document instead.

About the Partnership Agreement Generator

Write it before the money starts flowing

The single most common cause of partnership disputes turning ugly is signing the agreement after the business becomes valuable. When there's nothing to fight about, terms are easy to agree; once revenue is real, every clause becomes a negotiation with different incentives on each side. Sign the agreement in month one, even if the terms feel premature. Partners who insist "we'll figure it out when we need to" are the partners you eventually litigate against.

Equal ownership doesn't mean equal profit split

Two 50/50 partners can still split profit 60/40 based on capital contributed, hours worked, or accounts owned. Ownership decides voting and equity on exit; profit share decides who gets paid what today. Confusing the two is a leading cause of resentment 18 months in — "I own half the business but you take home 70% of the money." Write both numbers down explicitly.

The exit clause is the whole document

Buy-out valuation method, notice period, non-compete scope, treatment of client accounts on departure, and dispute-resolution ladder (negotiation to mediation to arbitration or court) all belong here. The template defaults to mediation before arbitration because mediation costs a few thousand and preserves the relationship — going straight to court destroys both the money and the relationship. Ninety percent of partnership breakups settle in mediation when there's a document telling them to try mediation first.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to register the partnership?

Registration varies by jurisdiction. In India, registration under the Partnership Act 1932 is optional but strongly recommended, since unregistered partnerships lose the right to sue on the partnership's contracts. In the US and UK, general partnerships form automatically once two people carry on business for profit; formalising in writing is still the norm.

Can this be used for more than two partners?

The template is optimised for two. For three or more, use the same structure and duplicate the capital, ratio, roles and signature blocks. Above four partners, an LLP or company structure usually beats a partnership — the paperwork gets easier to manage and personal liability gets capped.

Is this the same as an LLP agreement?

No. A Limited Liability Partnership requires a separate LLP agreement filed with the registrar — the MCA in India, Companies House in the UK. This template covers a general partnership only, with unlimited liability and no filing required.

What happens if one partner dies or wants out?

The template includes a standard clause: the departing partner's share is valued using the agreed method, either book value or independent valuation, and the remaining partner has first right to buy it out over a defined period. Without this clause, jurisdictions default to dissolving the whole partnership on any departure — which is almost never what the surviving partner wants.

Related Legal Tools

Other free tools in the legal & documents silo.