Legal Question in Business Law in Minnesota

Re: Harassing phone calls to collect money

If it really is a partnership, then if the loan was to the partnership rather than to your ex-partner it is possible that the partnership is liable for the debts of the former partner. This means that if your partner left the business, you could possibly ultimately be liable for the debt (but as noted below, the answer to this question would depend on whether the loan was to your ex-partner, or to the business itself. Also, it is possible that the statute of frauds could protect you from personal liability for the debt). If, however, the business is a limited liability entity (for example, a corporation or LLC), it may be a little more complex. If there was no agreement by you that you would repay the money, then it is possible that the business could be liable but probably you wouldn't be personally liable. Again, one of the key questions would be whether the friend loaned the money to your ex-partner so that the ex-partner could invest in the business; or whether the loan was to the business itself.

Regarding the phone calls, consumer lending laws do provide some protection to consumers in conection with creditors' harassing phone calls, but this does not look like a consumer debt. If the calls are indeed threatening, you could go to the police or seek a restraining order in court.

All of this is pretty speculative and a more precise answer would be highly dependent upon the facts.

Standard disclaimer: The comments above are based on limited facts and should not be considered legal advice. We do not have an attorney-client relationship.