178.0701 Purchase of interest of person dissociated as partner.

(1) If a person is dissociated as a partner without the dissociation resulting in a dissolution and winding up of the partnership business under s. 178.0801, the partnership shall cause the person's interest in the partnership to be purchased for a buyout price determined pursuant to sub. (2).

(2) The buyout price of the interest of a person dissociated as a partner is the amount that would have been distributable to the person under s. 178.0806 (2) if, on the date of dissociation, the assets of the partnership were sold and the partnership were wound up, with the sale price equal to the greater of the liquidation value or the value based on a sale of the entire business as a going concern without the person.

(3) Interest accrues on the buyout price from the date of dissociation to the date of payment, but damages for wrongful dissociation under s. 178.0602 (2), and, at the option of the partnership, some or all other amounts owing, whether or not presently due, from the person dissociated as a partner to the partnership, must be offset against the buyout price.

(4) A partnership shall defend, indemnify, and hold harmless a person dissociated as a partner whose interest is being purchased against all partnership liabilities, whether incurred before or after the dissociation, except liabilities incurred by an act of the person under s. 178.0702.

(5) If no agreement for the purchase of the interest of a person dissociated as a partner is reached within 120 days after a written demand for payment, the partnership shall pay, or cause to be paid, in money to the person the amount the partnership estimates to be the buyout price and accrued interest, reduced by any offsets and accrued interest under sub. (3).

(6) If a deferred payment is authorized under sub. (8), the partnership may tender a written offer to pay the amount it estimates to be the buyout price and accrued interest, reduced by any offsets under sub. (3), stating the time of payment, the amount and type of security for payment, and the other terms and conditions of the obligation.

(7) The payment or tender required by sub. (5) or (6) must be accompanied by the following:

(a) A statement of partnership assets and liabilities as of the date of dissociation.

(b) The latest available partnership balance sheet and income statement, if any.

(c) An explanation of how the estimated amount of the payment was calculated.

(d) Written notice that the payment is in full satisfaction of the obligation to purchase unless, not later than 120 days after the written notice, the person dissociated as a partner commences an action to determine the buyout price, any offsets under sub. (3), or other terms of the obligation to purchase.

(8) A person that wrongfully dissociates as a partner before the expiration of a definite term or the completion of a particular undertaking is not entitled to payment of any part of the buyout price until the expiration of the term or completion of the undertaking, unless the person establishes to the satisfaction of the court that earlier payment will not cause undue hardship to the business of the partnership. A deferred payment must be adequately secured and bear interest.

(9) A person dissociated as a partner may maintain an action against the partnership, pursuant to s. 178.0410 (2), to determine the buyout price of that person's interest, any offsets under sub. (3), or other terms of the obligation to purchase. The action must be commenced not later than 120 days after the partnership has tendered payment or an offer to pay in accordance with subs. (5) to (8) to the extent applicable or within one year after written demand for payment if no payment or offer to pay is tendered. The court shall determine the buyout price of the person's interest, any offset due under sub. (3), and accrued interest, and enter judgment for any additional payment or refund. If deferred payment is authorized under sub. (8), the court shall also determine the security for payment and other terms of the obligation to purchase. The court may assess reasonable attorney fees and the fees and expenses of appraisers or other experts for a party to the action, in amounts the court finds equitable, against a party that the court finds acted arbitrarily, vexatiously, or not in good faith. The finding may be based on the partnership's failure to tender payment or an offer to pay or to comply with sub. (7).

History: 2015 a. 295.