Limited Liability Companies For Dummies, 4th Edition

Chapter 4

Making a Few Key Decisions

IN THIS CHAPTER

Determining who manages your LLC

Determining the availability of the company name you want

Securing your company name nationally and in your state

Deciding in which state(s) to form your LLC

Stepping into the Driver’s Seat: Making Essential Decisions Before Forming Your LLC

The articles of organization is the document with which you officially notify the state of your intent to become an LLC. Once the state accepts and files this document, your LLC is formed! However, especially if you’re starting a business from scratch, you need to make some important decisions before you can prepare your articles. Changing your mind on these things later down the road — like changing your LLC’s formation state — could saddle you with costly and annoying negotiations, paperwork, and filings.

But don’t sweat about it too much! Except for these few key decisions, most of your LLC’s customization happens later in your operating agreement (see Chapters 7 through 10).

It’s important to note that when it comes to making decisions about your LLC, ...