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NC General Statutes

N.C. Gen. Stat. § 59-36 (2026)

Partnership defined

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(a) A partnership is an association of two or more persons to carry on as co-owners a business for profit.

(b) But any association formed under any other statute of this State, or any statute adopted by authority, other than the authority of this State, is not a partnership under this Article, unless such association would have been a partnership in this State prior to the adoption of this Article; but this Article shall apply to limited partnerships except insofar as the statutes relating to such partnerships are inconsistent herewith. (1941, c. 374, s. 6.)

 

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 56 cases (11 in the last 5 years), 1949–2026 · leading case: Rifenburg Constr., Inc. v. Brier Creek Assocs. Ltd. P'ship, 586 S.E.2d 812 (N.C. Ct. App. 2003).
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Rifenburg Constr., Inc. v. Brier Creek Assocs. Ltd. P'ship, 586 S.E.2d 812 (N.C. Ct. App. 2003). · cites it 8× “N.C. Gen.Stat. § 59-36 (2001) states: (a) A partnership is an association of two or more persons to carry on as co-owners a business for profit.”
Carcano v. JBSS, LLC, 684 S.E.2d 41 (N.C. Ct. App. 2009). · cites it 2× “Subsequently, it is *169 likely that N.C. Gen. Stat. § 59-36 (a) (2007) which defines a partnership as an “association of two or more persons to carry on as co-owners a business for profit[]” will resolve these matters for the parties.”
G. R. Little Agency, Inc. v. Jennings, 362 S.E.2d 807 (N.C. Ct. App. 1987). · cites it 6× “Plaintiff takes issue with the trial court’s conclusion that defendant was not a partner with her former husband in his farming business as provided by N.C. Gen. Stat. § 59-36 (1982). We agree with the trial court.”
Compton v. Kirby, 577 S.E.2d 905 (N.C. Ct. App. 2003). · cites it 2× “N.C. Gen. Stat. § 59-36 (2001) defines a partnership as “an association of two or more persons to carry on as co-owners a business for profit.”
Cherry Bekaert & Holland v. Brown, 394 S.E.2d 651 (N.C. Ct. App. 1990). · cites it 3× “2d 807, 810 (1987) (emphasis added); N.C.G.S. § 59-36 (1989). North Carolina regulates the practice of certified public accounting in N.”
Hines v. Arnold, 404 S.E.2d 179 (N.C. Ct. App. 1991). · cites it 3× “” N.C.G.S. § 59-36 (1989). According to our Supreme Court, ‘A contract, express or implied, is essential to the formation of a partnership.”
Best Cartage, Inc. v. Stonewall Packaging, LLC, 727 S.E.2d 291 (N.C. Ct. App. 2012). · cites it 2× “Plaintiff again contends that it pled enough to survive the motion to dismiss.”
Dealers Supply Co., Inc. v. Cheil Indus., Inc., 348 F. Supp. 2d 579 (M.D.N.C. 2004). · cites it 2× “” N.C. Gen. Stat. § 59-36 . A partnership is also described as: ■ a combination of two or more persdns of their property, effects, labor, or skill in a common business or venture, under an agreement to share the profits or losses in equal or specified proportions, and…”
Cap Care Grp., Inc. v. McDonald, 561 S.E.2d 578 (N.C. Ct. App. 2002). · cites it 2× “” N.C. Gen. Stat. § 59-36 (1999). A partnership can be formed orally or implied by the parties’ conduct.”
Wilder v. Hobson, 398 S.E.2d 625 (N.C. Ct. App. 1990). · cites it 2× “” N.C. Gen. Stat. § 59-36 (a) (1989); G.R. Little Agency, Inc.”
Anderson v. Brokers, Inc. (In Re Brokers, Inc.), 363 B.R. 458 (Bankr. M.D.N.C. 2007). · cites it 2× “” N.C. Gen.Stat. § 59-36 (2005). A partnership may be formed without a written or oral contract.”
Wiggs v. Peedin, 669 S.E.2d 844 (N.C. Ct. App. 2008). · cites it 2× “” N.C. Gen. Stat. § 59-36 (a) (2003); see also Zickgraf Hardwood Co.”
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N.C. Gen. Stat. § 59-36(1): 3 cases
La Familia Cosmovision, Inc. v. the Inspiration Networks, 2014 NCBC 51 (N.C. Bus. Ct. 2014).
Williams v. Hammer, 2015 NCBC 78 (N.C. Bus. Ct. 2015).
Crescent Foods, Inc. v. Evason Pharmacies, Inc., 2016 NCBC 73 (N.C. Bus. Ct. 2016).
N.C. Gen. Stat. § 59-36(a): 16 cases
Harrell Oil Co. of Mount Airy v. Case, 543 S.E.2d 522 (N.C. Ct. App. 2001).
Zickgraf Hardwood Co. v. Seay, 298 S.E.2d 208 (N.C. Ct. App. 1982).
Peed v. Peed, 325 S.E.2d 275 (N.C. Ct. App. 1985).
Reddington v. Thomas, 262 S.E.2d 841 (N.C. Ct. App. 1980).
Davis v. Davis, 293 S.E.2d 268 (N.C. Ct. App. 1982).
N.C. Gen. Stat. § 59-36(b): 2 cases
Rifenburg Constr., Inc. v. Brier Creek Assocs. Ltd. P'ship, 586 S.E.2d 812 (N.C. Ct. App. 2003). “N.C. Gen.Stat. § 59-36 (2001) states: (a) A partnership is an association of two or more persons to carry on as co-owners a business for profit.”
Zagaroli v. Neill, 2018 NCBC 25 (N.C. Bus. Ct. 2018).
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