These are the public and nonprofit bodies in Massachusetts that help two or more owners start a business together, fund it and settle it when they disagree. Every one is free or low cost, each is public, nonprofit or university-run, and every link goes to the organization itself.

This is general information as of October 2026; a lawyer licensed in Massachusetts should read your actual agreement before anyone signs it.

Massachusetts partnership rules at a glance

  • The law. General partnerships still run on the old Uniform Partnership Act of 1914 (G.L. c.108A), one of a handful of states that never adopted RUPA. LLCs have their own act (G.L. c.156C). LLPs are open to any partnership; there is no LLLP. All 50 states compared.
  • The cost. An LLC's certificate of organization and its annual report are each $500, among the priciest in the country; a two-member LLC owes no separate minimum tax beyond that. Fees in every state.
  • Non-competes. Signed after October 2018, an employee noncompete is capped at 12 months and needs garden leave or other consideration; a covenant tied to selling a significant ownership stake is carved out and judged on ordinary reasonableness instead. Every state's rule.
  • When a court can end it. An LLC has one statutory ground: it is not reasonably practicable to carry on the business as the certificate or operating agreement say. There is no oppression ground and no court-ordered buyout to avoid it. Grounds by state.

Forming and filing

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