LLC formation, prepared and filed for you — in any state

An LLC — limited liability company — is the most common structure for small businesses in the United States, because it makes the business its own legal entity while staying far simpler to run than a corporation. It is created by filing a formation document with a state agency, usually the Secretary of State, and that is true in every state, though the form's name, the fee and the processing time all differ.

It is not automatically the right choice for everyone. An LLC costs more to maintain than a DBA, every state charges something to keep it alive, and a few states charge a great deal. That is exactly the kind of thing we walk you through before you file: what an LLC costs you in year one and every year after, what it protects, and whether your situation actually calls for one.

The other question worth settling early is which state to form in. For most businesses the answer is the state you actually operate from. Forming in Nevada, Wyoming or Delaware to avoid your home state's taxes usually creates two filings and two annual fees rather than a saving, because your home state still requires you to register as a foreign entity. We will tell you that honestly rather than sell you a second filing.

What we prepare for your LLC

• A name availability check in your chosen state before you commit to a name
• Articles of Organization — or whatever your state calls its formation document — prepared and filed
• Any initial report or information statement your state requires after formation
• Federal EIN (employer identification number) so you can open a business bank account
• A written operating agreement reflecting your actual ownership percentages and management structure
• Registered agent designation — ours in California, or yours
• A plain-English checklist of what comes next: city license, sales tax permit, annual report and renewal deadlines for your state

An LLC usually makes sense if you…

• Have personal assets — a home, savings, a vehicle — you want separated from business liability
• Are going into business with one or more partners and want ownership documented in writing
• Sign contracts, leases or subcontractor agreements in the business's name
• Work in a trade where a customer, client or property damage claim is a realistic risk
• Need a business bank account, business credit or a vendor account under the company name
• Plan to bid on work that requires a registered entity in that state