I am a US citizen and want to become a partner in a friend's UK startup

I am a US citizen and want to become a partner in a friend's UK startup, helping her start a branch office in the US. What is the best way to proceed with this? What forms need to be filled out?

There are a wide range of factors to cover off when you considering a startup. Here are a few of my own thoughts that I have compiled over time

• The In-Principal Agreement which runs through the key considerations to cover off between two parties.
• Issues that can arise with partners. The downsides and issues that can come between you down the track, stuff that is worth discussing between you before you start it all off.
• Problems with partner
• When to drop a co-founder
• Non-business reasons not to start up

This sounds like a situation in which it will be really helpful to speak to a lawyer who has some experience in your domain.

I would recommend--at the very least!--having a contract precisely spelling out what each person's rights and responsibilities will be, and what will happen when things go wrong or if either person wants to terminate the agreement.