Case Example

For example, a client of ours entered into a contract to purchase a shopping center. Previously, we had set up a Family Limited Partnership for him. Without our knowledge, the “Buyer” under the purchase contract was the Family Limited Partnership. During the pre-closing escrow period, financing became unavailable and the client failed to complete the deal. The seller sued the partnership for damages for breach of contract and was awarded $600,000 wiping out a substantial portion of our client’s assets. The seller sued the partnership because the partnership was the named party to the contract.

This transaction should not have been handled in this manner. The proper way to conduct this type of business activity is through a separate LLC or partnership arrangement. By using the proper planning techniques, potential liability can be significantly reduced and valuable personal assets can be protected from a dangerous lawsuit. Had this arrangement been used, our client would not have lost $600,000. Instead, the buyer and seller would probably have re-negotiated the terms of the purchase in a way that was mutually satisfactory to each side.

This example illustrates the necessity for conducting business activities through an entity other than the Family Limited Partnership so that family assets are not exposed to the risk of liability. The proper role of the Family Limited Partnership in this context is to hold the interests in the business entities that are themselves subject to risk. The FLP can hold these interests, providing asset protection and estate planning advantages in a single integrated package.