Husband and Wife Partnerships

By John Ziemba

John Ziemba

John is an experienced freelance writer with a background in marketing communications and sales.

Partnerships: husband and wife; sadly, bliss may be lacking while the relationship destructs. Not only are there dual liability issues concerning money and operations, there may be a more lasting one. Some husband and wife partnerships end up in divorce court with marriages irrevocably destroyed.

Backgrounds May Not Be Enough

Part of the reason partnerships with a husband and wife develop problems and fail is that they lack a formal partnership agreement going in. It's just naturally assumed that each spouse's role will complement the other. But this may not always be the case.

Just because Joe is a sales superstar at ABC Corporation seething to set out on his own and make his mark in the world, doesn't mean that Joe has the brains or ability to handle all the details of the everyday business operations.

And just because Mary happens to be able to balance the checkbook, raise the kids, deal with schools and do all the tasks Joe never had time for or interest in, doesn't mean that she can run the day-to-day operations alone, while Joe is off playing super salesman. Most business decisions require two minds instead of one. Nor can you assume that Mary or Joe will be able employee managers.

What Can You Do?

At the very least, with family limited partnerships you need an agreement in writing that both of you sign before venturing into the deal. That way, should things get bad later on, you can hold a sit down, assuming you're still talking, and iron out the things that aren't going well. If this doesn't work, try counseling. If all else fails you can dissolve the partnership altogether recognizing that a business dissolution is far better than a marriage dissolution.

Or better still, you can both enroll in business courses at a local university to gain the knowledge you need and fill the skill gaps you both lack. As you advance in your studies, it will soon become apparent who has a better handle on what. Strengths will be discovered. As will weaknesses.

Try A Limited Partnership Trial Run

Sometimes a trial basis will quickly reveal if you can work together. Keep the business home-based while you enter a discovery phase. If one spouse thinks he or she has better ideas than the other despite lacking direct business experience or knowledge, the trial period may be a short one. Agreeing to work together and being able to are widely separate issues. Hidden personality traits can get magnified incredibly fast when you spend 24/7/365 with your spouse/partner with no respite.

Business Problems with Partnerships: Husband and Wife

Not to mention that when you go home at the end of the day you still carry the business with you and any unresolved issues that are fast turning into resentments and regrets. Coming home doesn't leave the business outside. It comes with you, as do all the financial, time and other challenges straining your relationship.

The Business Can Thrive While Your Marriage...

This doesn't mean that the business always suffers. In many cases, partnerships with husbands and wives can even flourish because of a crack squad of capable employees doing what they can to make the business work. Trust that any problems you have with your family limited partnership's spouse, will be quickly known among the troops. Expect that there will be some division on their part, as they side with one or the other partner, hoping that their hero wins out and that their jobs are secure. Know that your marital strife will be communicated to your vendors and customers.

Happy Endings

It's only when two partners discover who they really are and grow comfortable in one another's abilities and strengths that the business can thrive. Husband and wife family limited partnerships aren't always fatal. When they work, they tend to get stronger over time.

So, should you be considering the same idea, take a close look at who you are and what you offer to the partnership and relationship before you make a costly commitment.