Maine Revised Statutes
Subchapter 2: NATURE OF PARTNERSHIP
31 §1022. Formation of partnership

§1022. Formation of partnership
1.  Formation of partnership.  Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, the association of 2 or more persons to carry on as co-owners a business for profit forms a partnership, whether or not the persons intend to form a partnership.  
[PL 2005, c. 543, Pt. A, §2 (NEW).]
2.  Not partnership.  An association formed under a statute other than this chapter, a predecessor statute or a comparable statute of another jurisdiction is not a partnership under this chapter.  
[PL 2005, c. 543, Pt. A, §2 (NEW).]
3.  Determination of formation; rules.  In determining whether a partnership is formed, the following rules apply.  
A. Joint tenancy, tenancy in common, tenancy by the entireties, joint property, common property or part ownership does not by itself establish a partnership, even if the co-owners share profits made by the use of the property.   [PL 2005, c. 543, Pt. A, §2 (NEW).]
B. The sharing of gross returns does not by itself establish a partnership, even if the persons sharing them have a joint or common right or interest in property from which the returns are derived.   [PL 2005, c. 543, Pt. A, §2 (NEW).]
C. A person who receives a share of the profits of a business is presumed to be a partner in the business, unless the profits were received in payment:  
(1) Of a debt by installments or otherwise;  
(2) For services as an independent contractor or of wages or other compensation to an employee;  
(3) Of rent;  
(4) Of an annuity or other retirement or health benefit to a beneficiary, representative or designee of a deceased or retired partner;  
(5) Of interest or other charge on a loan, even if the amount of payment varies with the profits of the business, including a direct or indirect present or future ownership of the collateral, or rights to income, proceeds or increase in value derived from the collateral; or  
(6) For the sale of the goodwill of a business or other property by installments or otherwise.   [PL 2005, c. 543, Pt. A, §2 (NEW).]
[PL 2005, c. 543, Pt. A, §2 (NEW).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 2005, c. 543, §A2 (NEW).