Limited liability limited partnership

In a traditional limited partnership the general partners are jointly and severally liable for its debts and obligations. Limited partners are not liable for those debts and obligations beyond the amount of their capital contributions.

An LLLP allows liability for debts and obligations of the limited partnership to be transfered from the general partners to an external insurer, something that is not possible with a traditional LLP. By having the limited partnership make an election under state law, the general partners are afforded limited liability for the debts and obligations of the limited partnership that arise during the period that the LLLP election is in place. The manner of election varies in accord with state law. For example, in Delaware LLLP elections take the form of a limited partnership electing to be a limited liability partnership (this is the format used in Delaware, while in Florida, Hawaii and Kentucky the election is made in the certificate of limited partnership.

Most states require that an identify itself as an LLLP in its name, but that requirement is not universal. LLLPs are most common in the real estate business, although other businesses can also use the form, for example, CNN. Questions remain about whether the limited liability provided to general partners by the LLLP election will be effective in states that do not have an LLLP statute.

LLLPs are permitted in approximately 30 U.S. states or jurisdictions, and are not yet common,

The following states have statutes that enable LLLPs.

• Alabama
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• Colorado
• Delaware
• Florida
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Iowa
• Kentucky
• Maryland
• Minnesota
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nevada[1]
• New Mexico
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio[2]
• Oklahoma
• Pennsylvania
• South Dakota
• Texas
• Utah
• Virginia
• Washington[3]
• Wyoming
• US Virgin Islands

Though California does not have a state statute allowing formation of an LLLP, it does recognize LLLPs formed under the laws of another state. While registering an LLLP formed in another state in California will trigger the same annual franchise tax applicable to entities formed California.[4] The statute governing whether an LLLP must register is less inclusive than the statute for out-of-state LLCs.[5]

Illinois, though not having an enabling statute, does allow formation of an LLLP under RULPA (Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act).[6]