Are you planning to start a limited liability company (LLC)? Do you need assistance with drafting an operating agreement or articles of organization? Do you fully understand the advantages, liabilities, and responsibilities of running an LLC? Alternatively, have you already formed an LLC, but encountered complexities with assets, taxes, financing, or employment issues?

Our law firm can provide all the necessary support while guiding you through the legal processes and requirements to help you make informed business decisions.

What is a Limited Liability Company (LLC)?

An LLC is a business structure that combines features of a sole proprietorship or partnership and corporation. The owner’s personal liability in an LLC is limited, similar to a corporation. However, its tax situation is typically the same as a sole proprietorship or partnership. LLCs can have an unlimited number of owners, called members. Each member owns a percentage of the business, typically proportionate to their investment. Specific regulations around forming and running an LLC vary between states.

What's the Difference Between an LLC and a Corporation?

While both limit the personal liability of their members (in the case of an LLC) and shareholders (in the case of a corporation), there are some key differences between the two structures.

• Taxation:  Corporations are separate tax entities, filing and paying taxes at a corporate level. In comparison, LLCs are pass-through entities. They can elect not to pay federal tax, in which case the profits and losses are passed to owners who then pay tax at the personal tax rate.
• Governance: LLCs use an operating agreement to set out how it will be governed, including management structure, restrictions on buying or selling shares, profit sharing, and its dissolution. Operating agreements are flexible and can be designed according to the members' wishes. Corporations, on the other hand, are required to formally adopt bylaws according to the relevant state law.
• Level of Administration:  Corporations must comply with more rigid government rules and regulations that LLCs do not have to follow. These rules and regulations involve stricter reporting and administrative requirements.

Advantages of an LLC:

There are many advantages that flow from forming a business as an LLC. Below are descriptions of a few of them.

• Limited liability: One of the biggest advantages of an LLC is that it limits the liability of owners to their investment in the business. Owners can't be held personally liable for a company's debts, and their personal assets are protected in the event an LLC can't pay a creditor, goes bankrupt, or is subject to a lawsuit.
• Taxation: LLCs can be taxed as a sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation. By default, an LLC is a pass-through entity. This means taxation is passed to the owners who pay taxes on the profits (or losses) via their personal tax return, avoiding double taxation. In some circumstances, an LLC can elect to be taxed as a corporation. This flexibility allows members to choose a taxation structure best suited to their situation.
• Flexible management structure: When it comes to management, the members of an LLC can choose to either share management responsibilities or act like passive investors by nominating one or two managers to run the business (either members or non-members).
• Less administration: It's typically easier to set up and run an LLC than a corporation. There's less paperwork involved and, unlike a corporation, an LLC isn't required to hold board or shareholder meetings or appoint officers and directors.

Whether one of the above or another advantage benefits your business depends on the business itself and what your goals are. That's why speaking to a business attorney can be critical to the success of your company. Our business lawyer will help you align your goals with the benefits associated with any and all business structures so you can be confident you form and operate your business under the most advantageous structure available to you.

Disadvantages of an LLC:

Some disadvantages exist with any given business structure. Here are a few that you should be aware of if you intend to form an LLC.

• Set-up costs: Forming an LLC often involves filing fees. It can be more expensive to set up an LLC than other business entities, like a sole proprietorship or partnership. Many states also charge LLCs annual fees and taxes.
• Forced dissolution: In some states, an LLC must be dissolved when a member leaves, dies, or goes bankrupt. In comparison, a corporation can exist in perpetuity.
• Transfer of ownership: It can be more difficult to transfer the ownership of an LLC compared to a corporation or some other business entity.
• Potential investment limits: External investors often prefer investing in a corporation rather than an LLC. This preference is because an LLC is often viewed as a more complicated structure in terms of taxation and managing outside investment.

Do You Need a Business Lawyer for an LLC?

Although there's no legal requirement to hire an attorney when forming an LLC, it's wise to speak to one to confirm whether it's the right business structure for your circumstances. They can also assist you with forming an LLC, including registering your business and drafting documents such as the operating agreement. They can also often continue to act as your registered agent, receiving any legal documents on behalf of the LLC. If your business is complex or involves especially risky transactions, a business lawyer can work proactively to avoid legal mistakes on your behalf. If a legal issue arises, they will walk you through the process, representing your interests throughout it.

Small Business Law:

    - LLCs

    - Commercial Contracts

    - Asset Transactions

    - General Business Law

 

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