HRS §425E-508
Rules for when a limited partnership can pay out money
A limited partnership cannot pay money or property to partners if the partnership agreement says no, or if the payment would leave the partnership unable to pay its bills or would make its assets less than its debts plus what preferred partners must get first. The partnership can use reasonable accounting or valuation methods to check this. Special rules apply to payments made by buying back a partner's interest or by issuing debt.
The statute, as written — Limitations on distribution
(a) A limited partnership may not make a distribution in violation of the partnership agreement. (b) A limited partnership may not make a distribution if after the distribution: (1) The limited partnership would not be able to pay its debts as they become due in the ordinary course of the limited partnership's activities; or (2) The limited partnership's total assets would be less than the sum of its total liabilities plus the amount that would be needed, if the limited partnership were to be dissolved, wound up, and terminated at the time of the distribution, to satisfy the preferential rights upon dissolution, winding up, and termination of partners whose preferential rights are superior to those of persons receiving the distribution. (c) A limited partnership may base a determination that a distribution is not prohibited under subsection (b) on financial statements prepared on the basis of accounting practices and principles that are reasonable in the circumstances or on a fair valuation or other method that is reasonable in the circumstances. (d) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (g), the effect of a distribution under subsection (b) shall be measured: (1) In the case of distribution by purchase, redemption, or other acquisition of a transferable interest in the limited partnership, as of the date money or other property is transferred or debt incurred by the limited partnership; and (2) In all other cases, as of the date: (A) The distribution is authorized, if the payment occurs within one hundred twenty days after that date; or (B) The payment is made, if payment occurs more than one hundred twenty days after the distribution is authorized. (e) A limited partnership's indebtedness to a partner incurred by reason of a distribution made in accordance with this section shall be at parity with the limited partnership's indebtedness to its general, unsecured creditors. (f) A limited partnership's indebtedness, including indebtedness issued in connection with or as part of a distribution, shall not be considered a liability for purposes of subsection (b) if the terms of the indebtedness provide that payment of principal and interest are made only to the extent that a distribution could then be made to partners under this section. (g) If indebtedness is issued as a distribution, each payment of principal or interest on the indebtedness shall be treated as a distribution, the effect of which is measured on the date the payment is made.
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