Utah General Contractors - Business and Law Practice Exam

Which of the following is true regarding the responsibilities of partners in a General Partnership?

1. Each partner is only responsible for their percentage of ownership

2. Partners have limited liability for business debts

3. All partners are personally liable for business debts

4. Partners can choose their level of involvement

The correct answer is: All partners are personally liable for business debts

In a General Partnership, all partners share full personal liability for the debts and obligations of the business. This means that if the partnership incurs debt or faces a lawsuit, each partner can be held personally responsible for the entire amount owed, not just their share or percentage of ownership. This principle is fundamental to the structure of a General Partnership, where the actions of one partner can legally bind the entire partnership and all partners involved. The implication of this liability structure means that partners must trust each other, as the actions of one partner can affect the financial obligations of all partners. This level of liability also ensures that creditors have the legal right to pursue any individual partner for the full amount owed, thereby creating a significant risk for each partner involved in the business. The statement about partners having limited liability would be more applicable to a Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) or a corporation, which is not the case in a General Partnership, where liability is unlimited. Additionally, while partners can discuss and determine the level of their involvement in business operations, this does not affect their liability for the partnership debts. Therefore, understanding the nature of personal liability in a General Partnership is crucial for anyone entering this type of business arrangement.