Are you searching for information about LLC business formation in California? A California Limited Liability Company (LLC) formation plan from the Watkins Firm is more than just downloaded forms and boilerplate clauses and terms. It is a customized package tailored to your unique business application informed by more than 40 years of experience as California business attorneys who have helped to form thousands and thousands of businesses and corporate entities.
We have experience in almost every type of business and vertical market applications and may even be able to help you with valuable contacts within your own industry.
What’s the Difference Between an LLC Business Formation in California through the Watkins Firm – vs – a Download Forms Site?
When you download forms from a website you receive boilerplate information that you are still required to fill in. The operating agreement is a crucial document for any LLC. This document will define how your company will be organized and run, the rights and responsibilities of each “member” (owner), as well as how and when profits are to be distributed. This essential document contains dozens of crucial clauses that are either option (a) or option (b), structured “this” way or “that” way. How will you know which is best for your company now and in the future?
When you work with the Watkins Firm, you will have a substantive free discussion with an experienced business attorney to discuss what you intend to do, how you want things to work and what you might want to be aware of and look out for.
Pro-Tip: “When we help with LLC business formation in California, we’ll charge $1,500. You can get it done online for $500, maybe less. All you’re getting is access to someone’s form file. But what we do is we create that relationship with you and we go through and tell you why we’re doing this and how it could impact you and why we’re filling this form out and what your options are and all those things that don’t take very much time, but it puts your mind in the right frame to know why I have this company and what each document does and also what selections to make. If you choose a limited liability company, there’s all types of different variations. And then you can get into the nitty gritty based on your profession and all the regs and all the requirements if you are going to be an employer, professional license requirements and all of the, potential resale license, sales and use tax accounts and permits. There’s all kinds of little things that your old, experienced business lawyer knows about and can tell you about from the get go. As opposed to you finding out after you’ve made a few mistakes,
Pro-Tip: “When we help with LLC business formation in California, we’ll charge $1,500. You can get it done online for $500, maybe less. All you’re getting is access to someone’s form file. But what we do is we create that relationship with you and we go through and tell you why we’re doing this and how it could impact you and why we’re filling this form out and what your options are and all those things that don’t take very much time, but it puts your mind in the right frame to know why I have this company and what each document does and also what selections to make. If you choose a limited liability company, there’s all types of different variations. And then you can get into the nitty gritty based on your profession and all the regs and all the requirements if you are going to be an employer, professional license requirements and all of the, potential resale license, sales and use tax accounts and permits. There’s all kinds of little things that your old, experienced business lawyer knows about and can tell you about from the get go. As opposed to you finding out after you’ve made a few mistakes,You’re giving birth to a living creature that’s been recognized by the United States Supreme Court. How you structure the management and operations, separate business income and expenses from your personal accounts, and capitalize your new LLC can determine whether or not it’s a real company or you have all those protections of corporate veil and creditors and you’re personally shielded. So how you start it is very important. And we’ll talk through these things with you, we’ll get you started on the right path to avoiding all kinds of pitfalls and trouble.
For example, five buddies want to get together and buy a bar. They can have an agreement that they all sign that has a lot of, what if this happens, what if that happens and who gets what money? Because sometimes you have sweat equity, you got one guy working the bar all the time and the other “members” are just drinking! So you can have it written into your operating agreement that the guy who works harder, even though they didn’t invest, or even if you all invested the same, can get more money.” – Dan Watkins, Founding Partner
What are the Services We Provide for LLC Business Formation in California at the Watkins Firm?
The Limited Liability Company Formation plan includes the items listed below under each package. All meetings and correspondence between attorney and client(s) regarding the formation are included in the flat rate. Out of pocket costs are not included and will be billed to the client upon completion of LLC Formation.
Limited Liability Company Formation Plan
California Limited Liability Company:
- Discuss with clients the purpose of the Company and details regarding expectations, membership, consideration for membership interest, management of the Company; questionnaire to client
- Prepare and file the Articles of Organization
- Obtain the Employer Identification Number
- Prepare and file the Statement of Information
- Prepare a Bank Resolution and provide documentation required by a bank to open a Company account
- Prepare an Operating Agreement that includes information and details specifically related to the Company and its members (Note– flat fee includes initial draft and revision. Should the need arise for multiple and/or substantive revisions, hourly rates will apply).
Out of state Limited Liability Company
- All tasks listed above
- Prepare an Operating Agreement that includes information and details specifically related to the Company and its members
- Research applicable state laws related to LLCs to ensure formation documents comply with such laws
Additional Company Documents to Consider: Additional Hourly Rate Per Fee Agreement Rates
- Employment Agreements
- Services Agreements
- Vendor Agreements
- Employee Handbook
- Privacy Policy
- Terms of use for Website
- Other documents depending on nature of business
Average out of Pocket Costs Associated with LLC Formation, That are Subject to Change:
Articles of Organization – California $135
Breakdown of individual item costs:
$70 – Secretary of State Filing Fee
$15 – Over the Counter Filing
$50 – Service Fee
Fee to expedite filing of articles – if applicable $455
Statement of Information Filing $20
Get Your New California LLC Up and Running
Are you just wanting a quick entity, or are you serious about forming a genuine business and setting up for success out of the gate? Do you value the input, guidance and relationship with an experienced, proven California business attorney? What’s the difference between the 1 business out of every 5 started that succeeds and survives past the first 18 months? What do you need to know getting started, and what should you expect at each point in your new company’s growth? What is the difference between those who don’t last, and those who not only succeed, but thrive!?
We invite you to a conversation. The initial discussion won’t cost you anything. If you are serious about your new company, we are serious about wanting to help to make it a success now and in the future. This isn’t about a few forms. This is about LLC business formation in California, and structuring your business out of the gate to protect you personally and professionally. That is the entire reason for having a corporate entity in the first place: the corporate veil.
This is an exciting time, and we want to help launch your new venture, to bring your vision into reality. Are you ready?
We invite you to review our podcast Episode 34 – Business Formation as well as the strong recommendations of our clients and contact the Watkins Firm or call 858-535-1511 for a complimentary consultation today.