Llc Legal Zoom
Do you have any legal questions? Get answers by scheduling a consultation with a LegalZoom plan lawyer. Access the Member Centre to manage your documents, download legal forms and learn more about other benefits of your plan. It`s important to spend some time thinking about the business name of your new LLC. In addition to choosing a good name for business and marketing purposes – for example, a name that helps you build and establish a brand identity – there are also other important legal considerations. We provide our clients with legal compliance and consulting solutions in more than 1 million subscriptions. A registered agent is a person or entity authorized to receive litigation services and other official legal documents and communications on behalf of your LLC. This is the person or entity that receives legal documents, government correspondence, tax forms, as well as notices of lawsuits on behalf of the LLC. Once you have submitted your articles, the Secretary of State will review the submission. If the items are approved, the LLC becomes a legal business entity. In California, submit your application by mail, online, or in person. Get help from a legal lawyer if you need it. No expensive hourly fees.
No surprise prices. Registering your LLC gives you a legal basis to do business. Plan to keep your LLC compliant and in active status on the state`s website. Ask business law questions, get advice in specific situations, have your business contracts reviewed by a lawyer and much more. All California LLCs are required to file an information return with the California Secretary of State within 90 days of incorporation of the LLC. Once you have registered your LLC, you will need to obtain business permits and licenses that may be required to run your business. The types of permits or licenses you need depend on both your state and local government requirements, as well as the industry in which your business operates. The Small Business Administration website maintains a list of government business licensing offices here. California requires an LLC to have an operating agreement, but it doesn`t need to be filed. It should be easily accessible.
A written operating agreement is useful for a variety of reasons, including resolving disputes that may arise from financial agreements and other potential litigation. Without an agreement, the courts make decisions based on state law, not necessarily in the best interest of the LLC and its members. Most states do not allow two different business entities to have the same name. For example, you cannot have “Joe`s Donuts, LLC” and “Joe`s Donuts, Inc.” even if they are located in different cities. Many states also prohibit companies from using certain words in their names, such as “bank.” If the LLC name you selected is available, but you do not submit your LLC documents immediately, you must reserve the name. Almost all states allow you to reserve a name by submitting a form and paying a name reservation fee. Reservation period length, registration fees, and renewal policies vary by state. If you have an LLC registered in another state and plan to expand your business into California, you will need to pay to register as a foreign LLC.
The registration fee is $70. In addition to government legal restrictions, it`s wise to research whether other similar businesses in your area use the same or a similar name. Choosing a unique name can help avoid confusion and trademark infringement claims. You can also determine if a domain name matching your business name is available. Are you confused about your options? Answer a few simple questions and find out which one might be right for you. A corporation is a separate entity under the law. The business structure can help protect the owners of the business – the shareholders of the corporation – from liability and help them reduce their taxes in certain circumstances. The right business structure can protect you from liability, support your business goals, and save you money over tax period. But how to choose? Here`s a quick guide to some of the most common business structures.
Sometimes it is necessary to obtain official copies of trade documents. The cost in California is $1 for the first page and $0.50 for each subsequent page. There is a certified fee of $5, and if you request these documents in person, there is a processing fee of $10. To do business in California, an LLC must pay an $800 franchise tax. These fees must be paid regardless of whether or not the business generates revenue and are due annually. Articles of incorporation are usually an easy-to-complete document that you can obtain from your state`s filing office or agent. In many states, you can also download a blank copy of the online form. Although the information required varies from state to state, you usually only need to provide the name and address of your LLC and the names of its members. An operating agreement is a document that describes how your LLC will conduct its business.
If your proposed business name is available, your state may also allow you to temporarily reserve the name until you can submit your documentation.