Qualify Leads & Deliver Expertise

⚖️ Hello! I'm here to help you understand your legal options and connect you with the right specialist at our firm. Whether you need business law, estate planning, or litigation support, I can provide initial guidance and schedule a consultation. What legal matter brings you here today?

Congratulations on starting your new business! Entity formation is a crucial decision that affects everything from taxes to liability protection. Let me help you understand your options and connect you with our business formation specialists. 🏢 Business Entity Options: Popular Entity Types: LLC (Limited Liability Company) • Best for: Small to medium businesses, partnerships • Liability: Personal assets protected • Taxes: Pass-through taxation (no double taxation) • Flexibility: Simple management structure • Cost: $200-800 filing fees (varies by state) Corporation (C-Corp) • Best for: High-growth businesses seeking investment • Liability: Strong personal asset protection • Taxes: Double taxation (corporate + personal) • Benefits: Can issue stock, attract investors • Requirements: Board of directors, formal meetings S-Corporation • Best for: Small businesses wanting corp benefits • Liability: Personal asset protection • Taxes: Pass-through taxation • Limitations: Max 100 shareholders, US citizens only • Requirements: Payroll taxes for owner-employees Partnership (LP/LLP) • Best for: Professional services, multiple owners • Liability: Varies by partnership type • Taxes: Pass-through taxation • Flexibility: Customizable partnership agreements 🎯 Key Decision Factors: Business Assessment: 📊 Revenue Projections - Expected annual income? 👥 Number of Owners - Solo founder or partners? 💰 Funding Plans - Self-funded or seeking investors? ⚖️ Risk Level - High liability industry? 📈 Growth Plans - Stay small or scale rapidly? 🌍 Location - Operating in multiple states? Legal Obligations & Compliance: 📋 Required Documentation: • Articles of Incorporation/Organization • Operating Agreement/Bylaws • EIN (Federal Tax ID Number) • State Business License • Industry-specific Permits • Employment Law Compliance (if hiring) 🔄 Ongoing Requirements: • Annual Reports - State filings required • Tax Filings - Federal, state, and local • Record Keeping - Meeting minutes, financial records • Compliance Updates - Industry regulations 💼 Contract Considerations: Essential Business Contracts: • Founder/Partnership Agreements • Employment Contracts & Handbooks • Customer Service Agreements • Vendor/Supplier Contracts • Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) • Intellectual Property Assignments 📊 Tax Implications: Entity Type Tax Comparison: LLC Taxes: • Self-Employment Tax - On all business income • Income Tax - Pass-through to personal return • State Taxes - Varies by state • Estimated Payments - Quarterly if profit > $1,000 Corporation Taxes: • Corporate Income Tax - 21% federal rate • Dividend Tax - When distributing profits • Payroll Taxes - For owner-employees • State Corporate Taxes - Varies significantly 💡 Industry-Specific Considerations: Professional Services (Law, Medicine, Accounting): • May require Professional LLCs/Corporations • Professional Liability Insurance requirements • State licensing compliance • Ethical rules and professional standards Technology/Software Companies: • Delaware C-Corp often preferred for VC funding • Intellectual Property protection strategies • Stock Option Plans for employees • International expansion considerations 🚀 Next Steps Process: Immediate Actions: 📋 Business Assessment - Complete our entity selection questionnaire 💰 Financial Projections - Review tax implications with CPA ⚖️ Legal Consultation - 30-minute strategy session ($150) 📊 Entity Comparison - Detailed analysis for your situation Formation Timeline: Week 1: Entity decision + document preparation Week 2: State filing + EIN application Week 3: Bank account setup + compliance setup Week 4: Contract templates + legal foundation complete 📞 Specialist Consultation Available: Our Business Formation Team: 👨‍⚖️ Sarah Chen, Partner - 15+ years business law • Entity formation specialist • Startup and growth company expert • Former in-house counsel at tech companies 👩‍⚖️ Michael Rodriguez, Associate - Tax law focus • Business tax optimization • Multi-state compliance • Partnership and LLC specialist Consultation Options: 💼 Strategy Session - $150 (30 minutes) • Entity recommendation • Tax implications review • Timeline and cost estimate 📋 Full Formation Package - $1,200-2,500 • Complete entity formation • All required documents • EIN application • Compliance calendar setup • 6 months ongoing support 🎯 Custom Solutions - Quote based • Complex ownership structures • Multi-state operations • International considerations • Acquisition preparation ⚡ Special Considerations: Timing Factors: 📅 Year-end Planning - Tax advantages of Q4 formation 💰 Funding Timeline - Investor requirements 📊 Revenue Start Date - When income begins 🏢 Location Strategy - State selection for optimal benefits Common Mistakes to Avoid: ❌ Choosing entity based on cost alone ❌ Ignoring long-term tax implications ❌ Skipping operating agreements ❌ Not considering future ownership changes ❌ Overlooking industry-specific requirements Based on what you've shared, it sounds like an LLC might be a great starting point for most new businesses due to its flexibility and simplicity, but the best choice depends on your specific situation. Would you like to schedule a strategy session with Sarah to get a personalized recommendation? I can also send you our business formation questionnaire to help determine the optimal structure for your venture. ⚖️📋✨