Independent Care Provider Partnership Agreement

What a good one includes

• Clear definitions of how revenue is split and how joint expenses, like shared insurance or marketing, are paid.
• A formal protocol for shift coverage, emergency handovers, and planned respite or holiday leave to guarantee continuous client care.
• Detailed guidelines on client ownership and the process for onboarding new clients or discharging existing ones.
• A clear division of administrative responsibilities, such as billing, tax record-keeping, and compliance monitoring.
• An agreed-upon dispute resolution process and a fair exit strategy detailing how the partnership can be dissolved or how a partner can leave.
• Specific clauses addressing professional liability, individual insurance requirements, and shared accountability for care standards.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Leaving client ownership and solicitation rules vague, which leads to messy disputes if one partner decides to go solo again.
• Failing to define an emergency backup plan for sudden illnesses, leaving clients without care and putting immense pressure on the remaining partner.
• Neglecting to agree on how shared expenses and unpaid client invoices will be managed and split between the partners.
• Omitting a formal process for dissolving the partnership, which can turn an amicable parting of ways into a stressful legal battle.

Frequently asked questions