Repeatedly, we see partnership disputes start over simple things. Years of friendship and close association are dispensed with in mere days by actions that are objectively inconsequential but seismic within the partnership context. One of the most common points of argument that we see is when a partner restricts their partner’s access to the business’ email and bank accounts.
Your partner did something that you don’t appreciate. And so, you decide that the best way to get back at them is to restrict their access to the partnership’s email and bank accounts. You figured that since you do most of the work and manage the partnership’s accounts, restricting access would not be a big deal. Well, you’re mistaken. Unless you have an agreement with your partner which specifically allows you to restrict access to the partnership’s accounts and emails, you cannot do so.
Under the New York Partnership Law, partners are fiduciaries to each other. They must deal with each other in good faith and be transparent. Whenever you take steps to decrease transparency between you and your partner, you are opening yourself up to unnecessary disputes that can lead to legal problems.