Is an LLC right for me? Recently, my friend Andrea asked if I’d be willing to participate in a session at USITT. The topic: Is an LLC right for me? Fortunately, I’ve advised hundreds of clients on this specific topic. The main takeaways are: To fully cover this topic, I need to cover a few […]
What Are Articles Of Organization?
Articles of Organization is the legal document you file to form an LLC. There are only a few requirements to make them legal. If you file the articles with the Secretary of State, and it contains all the proper information, you’ll get yourself an LLC. Of course, you’ll also have to pay the filing fee! […]
What is a Registered Agent?
What is a registered agent? This is the hardest part of any LLC or corporation formation. I should also mention it isn’t that hard. Firstly, I’m going to list the relevant laws. After that, I’ll explain what they mean. Then, I’ll conclude with some pointers. Unfortunately, the law is thick legalese. However, I wanted to […]
Annual Report
Every year, the NC Secretary of State office requires businesses to file an Annual Report to maintain their active status. Fortunately, companies do not need to file their first year in existence. In North Carolina, the entity tasked with overseeing and regulating businesses is the Office of the Secretary of State, by authority of NCGS […]
The Anonymous Startup
Creating an anonymous startup is no easy task. For one thing, the Secretary of State requires a registered agent and an organizer to be listed. If they’re not you (which since it is public information, it probably isn’t), who will it be? Can you trust that person not to share who you are? When you […]
Piercing the LLC Veil – SSRS v William Miller et all
We form LLCs because they protect our personal assets from the creditors of the company; however, there is a concept called “piercing the LLC veil” that you should be aware of. Piercing the LLC veil comes from the legal concept of piercing a corporate veil. Essentially, what it means is that you’ve been operating your […]
Difference Between DBA and LLC
I’ve received this question many times: What is the difference between filing a “Doing Business As” (DBA) and filing for an LLC besides the fact that the DBA is cheaper? Long story short: Everything, but let’s start by examining what these two things are. DBA You may have heard DBAs referred to as a “Doing Business […]
Business Startup Process Overview
Anyone who has been a part of a startup knows that it is no easy task. I’m going to outline a few things, both legal and not, to make the process a little more streamlined. Every startup is unique, so this guide will only cover the broad overview. Consequently, you will find yourself adapting as […]
Basic Choice of Entity Type in North Carolina
Introduction So, you’re about to start a company in North Carolina? First off, congratulations! Starting a company is an exciting adventure that you get to make into whatever you see fit. It is a lot of work, I know, but when you put all the work in, it’s worth it in the end. Let’s get […]