Partner by estoppel is a legal term that refers to a person who is not technically a partner in a business but can still be held liable as one for any debts or damages incurred by the business or owed to a third party. This person gives an impression to others that he/she is a partner of the firm through his/her own initiative, conduct, or behavior. The doctrine of partnership by estoppel was created to prevent persons from defrauding and taking advantage of outside lenders or creditors who loaned them money. If a plaintiff files a lawsuit to recover damages for the parties’ misrepresentation, they will have the burden of proving that a partnership by estoppel exists. The liability of a partner by estoppel is unlimited, even though they do not contribute to capital nor participate in management. The Uniform Partnership Act (UPA) provides the legal framework for partnership by estoppel)/documents/mcl/pdf/mcl-449-16.pdf).