| If you have ever seen the initials LLC after the name | | | | or a Certificate of Incorporation with the state. States |
| of a company, you may have wondered what it | | | | require Articles or Organization of a Certificate of |
| means. LLC, or limited liability company, refers to a | | | | Formation to form an LLC. Most states process filings |
| form of business in which owners have limited liability. | | | | in three to five weeks; most states will expedite the |
| An LLC is a cross between a corporation, which has | | | | process for an additional fee. |
| limited liability, and a partnership, which has tax | | | | You have the choice of filing yourself or hiring a |
| advantages and greater flexibility than a corporation. A | | | | company experienced in business formation to do the |
| company with a single owner can benefit most from | | | | filing for you. Typical services include checking name |
| the LLC designation. | | | | availability, preparing Articles of Incorporation or |
| You can form a corporation or an LLC online at very | | | | Organization according to state statutes, forwarding |
| reasonable costs that will save you money and | | | | Articles to the appropriate state agency for filing, and |
| problems in the long run. A properly run corporation or | | | | monitoring the progress of your filing. While |
| LLC protects the personal assets of owners from | | | | professional filing services do cost money beyond the |
| debts or court judgments against the company. If your | | | | state-required fees, they can save you time and |
| business fails or goes bankrupt, for example, your | | | | money by doing it right the first time. They know how |
| creditors cannot force you to use your home, car, and | | | | to satisfy each state's requirements, and how to |
| personal financial accounts to settle your debts if the | | | | troubleshoot if need be. By handling the paperwork for |
| business is a limited liability company. Sole | | | | you, professionals free you to establish and grow your |
| proprietorships and partnerships offer no such | | | | business. And online filing makes it that much easier. |
| protections, leaving owners vulnerable to devastating | | | | If you do decide to seek professional assistance, look |
| personal losses if their businesses do not succeed. | | | | for a company with significant experience forming |
| You can incorporate your business or form an LLC in | | | | corporations and limited liability companies. Look for |
| any state, whether or not you live there or conduct | | | | companies with affiliation with the Better Business |
| your business there. Small business owners, however, | | | | Bureau or other business associations. Steer away |
| typically do it in their home states in order to avoid | | | | from websites that are unclear or difficult to navigate, |
| duplicate paperwork, costs, and regulation. That said, | | | | and from services that do not specify their costs |
| some states make the process easier and some | | | | upfront. Look for services that stand by their work |
| make it more difficult. State regulations are subject to | | | | with a satisfaction guarantee. A website with detailed |
| change, so it's important to check on them when you | | | | information about the process and the regulations is a |
| are ready to incorporate or form your LLC. | | | | good place to start. |
| To incorporate you must file Articles of Incorporation | | | | |