Do you trust your business partners?

Over the past two decades, I've had the privilege of investing with other individuals in small companies, real estate, and two aircraft partnerships. A friend mentioned to me years ago that at the end of the day, you must have full confidence and trust in those you invest or do significant business transactions with. If you invest with others, ask yourself these questions:

- Are you confident that on the toughest day of the partnership or deal that your partners will do the right thing for the partnership, even if they are personally impacted?

- If you were to become disabled or die, would your partners treat your heirs and estate with complete honesty and integrity?

If you can answer both of these questions with a resounding 'yes!' then consider yourself fortunate or well informed. If the answer is 'maybe' or 'no', you should consider exiting your current partnership or not engage in new activities that fail to pass these two simple tests.