SINCE 1974
If you’ve formed an LLC but haven’t done business this year, you may be wondering if you need to pay the Delaware franchise tax. Here’s what you need to know. What Happens If I Don’t Pay the Delaware Franchise Tax? If a company fails to pay franchise tax, it will eventually lose its good standing […]
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If you have your own business, you may benefit by forming an LLC. An LLC keeps an owner’s personal assets separate from any business assets. LLCs can protect owners from liability in the event of a legal dispute with a creditor, or even a business partner. This is true even if your business does not […]
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“The only ship that doesn’t float is a partnership”. This is common when consulting entrepreneurs who are considering bringing on a business partner. While a general partnership is the oldest business organization, it is the worst choice possible. This is because general partnerships are laden with traps that could easily end in financial ruin for […]
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You may have seen the “Circle B” logo, but what does it mean? The logo can only be displayed by a Certified B Corporation. These are companies that have achieved a minimum score on an evaluation of their corporate governance, community, employee, and environmental benefits. Here’s what you need to know about this entity. What […]
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A serial entrepreneur will often form multiple “brother-sister” companies to keep their assets from becoming commingled. But having partners that own an interest in each of these companies can generate separate partnership tax returns for each entity. One way to simplify this is to form a holding company with the partners. You can reduce the […]
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It can be intimidating to choose a state to incorporate in. You don’t need to incorporate in the state where your business physically resides. Instead, you can form your company anywhere. Which is the best state to incorporate in? Here are some things to consider. Things to Consider When Choosing a State to Incorporate What […]
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The Delaware Limited Liability Company Compares Favorably to the Delaware Corporation When starting a business, you probably have a lot of questions, including “Is an LLC a corporation?” and “Where should I incorporate?”. You do not have to incorporate in your home state if the laws there are unfavorable to protecting you. Instead, you can […]
Continue ReadingIf you’ve formed an LLC but haven’t done business this year, you may be wondering if you need to pay the Delaware franchise tax. Here’s what you need to know. What Is the Delaware Franchise Tax, Again? Franchise “Tax” is often misinterpreted to mean that the fee will be calculated based on profits or capitalization, […]
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You may be asking “What does LLC stand for,” “Which entity should I choose,” “What is Inc.,” “What does Co. mean,” “What is LLC,” or “Ltd vs. LLC?” Before you incorporate, you need to choose which type of entity is right for you. This isn’t something you’re born knowing, and they don’t teach it in […]
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At some point, you may be asked to show proof of ownership, also known as proof of entity, for your LLC. The request often happens when you open a business bank account. If you’ve never needed to prove that you own your LLC, it’s understandable that you might be unsure of what to do next. […]
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People throw around the term ‘subsidiary’ in business. Google, for example, recently made headlines when it was announced that its parent company, Alphabet Inc., is breaking into subsidiaries. It’s understandable that you might not be exactly clear on what it means. Subsidiaries are important but often fail to get the attention they deserve. Business and […]
Continue ReadingIncorporating in Delaware has many advantages and benefits over incorporating a business in your home state. Before explaining the advantages of incorporating in Delaware, it is important to know you are eligible to run your business as a Delaware corporation or a Delaware LLC no matter where you live. Do I Need to Live in […]
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Before forming an LLC, it is important to understand how it will be structured and managed. LLCs offer business owners complete flexibility to create unique management structures. This includes choosing officer titles, delegating management responsibilities, and structuring ownership interest. Here we breakdown common management and ownership structures for LLCs, including who the LLC Members and […]
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The concept can be confusing at times, but there is a difference between forming a business and incorporating. Interested in incorporating your business, but not sure exactly what it entails? Here’s the definition of incorporating, plus what it means to incorporate. How Do You Define Incorporate? In the U.S., incorporating a business is something that […]
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An incorporation lawyer specifically focuses on the laws surrounding the business of forming and maintaining corporations and LLCs. An incorporation lawyer can help ensure that your company is properly formed and in good legal shape. But not everyone needs to hire a lawyer to help form their company.
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Many companies are LLCs. While the abbreviation can be spotted at the end of many company names, it’s understandable that you might not be entirely clear on what, exactly, an LLC is and its purpose. Each state has its own unique statutory law that sets forth requirements to form a Limited Liability Company (hereinafter “LLC” […]
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There are many considerations when forming a business for a tech startup. Here is why you should consider a Delaware LLC.
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The Delaware Secretary of State runs the Division of Corporations with more than 1,000,000 active business entities registered in Delaware, including 66% of Fortune 500 companies. Entrepreneurs know Delaware for having an efficient and business-friendly state government which promotes the seamless formation and maintenance of corporations and LLCs. This is due to the leadership of […]
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Members of an LLC are subject to capital contributions and profit distributions based on terms they agree to in the Operating Agreement. Below we talk through several key issues for you to consider as you receive and distribute capital for your LLC. What is a capital contribution? A capital contribution is the cash or property […]
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How you can protect your businesses from the liabilities of your other businesses Does a D.B.A. offer you any legal protection? Are there alternatives to setting up a separate LLC for each business or property? If you have multiple LLCs, it’s only natural to wonder if you should set up an LLC holding company. In order to determine […]
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We often get questions from entrepreneurs about how to open a bank account for a Delaware company. Each bank in the United States has its own requirements, so you must check with your bank. However, we have compiled guidelines that serve as a floor to what banks must follow. Often a particular bank will ask […]
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We often get questions about LLC stockholders, bylaws, stock certificates, directors, minutes and sometimes a Limited Liability “Corporation.” It’s understandable to have questions about how LLCs are structured and operate. Here’s what you need to know. Do LLCs have stock? Typically, “stock” is not the term used for LLC ownership shares. In most LLCs, the […]
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Forming a Delaware LLC is an exciting time for your company, but it’s important to operate your company the right way afterward. Unfortunately, mistakes are sometimes made. These are some of the biggest issues we see—and how to remedy them. Mistake No. 1: The Operating Agreement is returned to the formation agent. Some business owners […]
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Why your business should have an EIN, even if it’s an LLC. Is the information you submit to the IRS about your business accessible to the public? Confused by some of the questions on the SS-4 form? We provide you guidance. If you have an LLC, you might wonder whether you need an EIN. An EIN, […]
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It’s understandable that you want to find the best price when it comes to forming your LLC. But what does a cheap LLC setup look like, and how much should it cost to form an LLC? Here’s what you need to know. What Fees Are Required with an LLC? Every LLC registered in the State […]
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An increasing number of people are finding themselves either self-employed or engaging in short-term employment arrangements. These individuals are typically actors, content creators, gig economy workers or consultants. These employment arrangements can come with many benefits, however, they may also pose a tricky tax situation. An effective strategy for self employed individuals to reduce their […]
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We often hear these questions from small business owners: What is the cheapest option for incorporating my company? How much does it cost to incorporate? Should I form an LLC? What incorporation fees can I expect? Across all fifty states, Delaware is near the median for incorporation costs. Among the top-tier states such as Florida […]
Continue ReadingWhen it comes to incorporation and LLC formation, there is Delaware and then there is the rest of the world. By dedicating itself to the needs of businesses, the state of Delaware has distinguished itself as the leader in desirable corporate and LLC legislation. Combining reasonable filing and maintenance fees, responsive administrators and an exemplary […]
Continue ReadingWhen you organize a company, the language may be English, but the jargon sounds “foreign” like you are playing a card from Dungeons and Dragons for an invincibility cloak. Wading through the lingo, one particular term you may encounter is “juridical entity.” While “juridical” simply means “legal”, knowing the characteristics of a juridical entity is […]
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It’s no secret that COVID-19 is changing the lives of many people. On the job front, some people are facing unemployment or job insecurity, and workplaces are starting to discover that the standard office model may not be efficient or even needed anymore. The pandemic has also delivered a blow to the economy, causing some […]
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Prior to filing a corporation or LLC in the State of Delaware, you may want to check if the corporate name is available on the Delaware Secretary of State’s website. Below are a few guidelines on how to name your LLC or corporation. 1. When checking the name on the Division of Corporation’s website, the […]
Continue ReadingIf you live outside the United States, you shouldn’t feel overwhelmed by the international incorporation process. The international incorporation process is actually remarkably simple. Can You Form a Delaware LLC If You Don’t Live in the U.S.? You do not need to be a US Citizen to be a member of a Delaware LLC. A […]
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The Delaware LLC is the most popular type of legal entity amongst small businesses. A Delaware LLC provides bullet proof liability protection for business owners’ personal assets while avoiding the red tape involved with maintaining a corporation. Entrepreneurs prefer LLCs because they are flexible, cost effective, and easy to set up. Forming an LLC is […]
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Most businesses end up cutting into profits simply by not taking advantage of the rules the IRS has laid out for them. The most susceptible to this common downfall is the sole proprietor or single-member LLC. It’s possible to save on single member LLC taxes—you just need to know the right steps to take. What is […]
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Sustainability is important to many corporations, and being publicly labeled as a sustainable company can attract a certain type of loyal employee and customers. You may be considering adopting a corporate or LLC public benefit company label to distinguish you from your competition, and develop customer loyalty to your brand. Here’s what you need to […]
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One person can form an LLC in Delaware. These LLCs are known as “single-member LLCs”. You can use a single-member LLC for everything from financing real estate transactions to solo consultant practices. Why Create a Single Member LLC Operating Agreement? Despite having only one member, it is still wise for single-member LLCs to have a […]
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If you have a Delaware LLC or corporation and have neglected to pay your agent or state fee, you may have been told by your registered agent that the company is in danger of “going void.” What does void mean? In the context of Delaware LLCs and corporations, it means that the registered agent “resigned” […]
Continue ReadingFamilies often want to save taxes and provide for future generations. With a Delaware irrevocable trust setup as a Dynasty Trust you can avoid the dissipation of assets by transfer taxes. This allows your family to accumulate substantial wealth free of transfer taxes. Plus if none of the beneficiaries are in Delaware, there is no […]
Continue ReadingTo have access to the gold standard of business laws, you should form an LLC in Delaware. Delaware offers an abundance of protection for business owners who choose to form a Delaware LLC no matter where you live and work. The shield of Delaware protects business managers from litigation risks and compares favorably to businesses […]
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In both single-member and multi-member LLCs, the owners need to have a plan for what happens in the event that a member dies. Should the LLC continue or should it automatically trigger cancellation? Who has the right to buy the deceased member’s interests? Do family members obtain voting rights or just assignment of distributions? These […]
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Keep your Delaware LLC from sinking prematurely as a result of member business divorce. Plan ahead for inevitable partnership disputes by drafting membership prenuptial provisions from the outset. In this article we teach you the vernacular of LLC member buyout options, such as “Baseball” versus “Shotgun”, “Tag-Along” versus “Drag-Along”, and “Rights of First Refusals” versus “Rights of First Offers”. These are ways […]
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The issue of when interests in an LLC can be transferred or bought, and by whom, and with what restrictions, is an issue that must be covered in an Operating Agreement. It is natural for business owners to be optimistic and overlook the possibility that the company may fail to live up to their initial […]
Continue ReadingThe excitement of a new business venture can sometimes make the prospect of litigation seem distant, or even impossible. It is that very optimism and conviction that drives entrepreneurs to launch out in the first place. But as the old saying goes, “Those who fail to plan, plan to fail.” Should push come to shove, […]
Continue ReadingIn order to explore what makes corporations and LLCs different, it is important to first note the one primary way in which they are similar: both have a barrier that prevents business debtors from collecting against the personal assets of an owner. This means the owners’ personal assets are not available for collection by a […]
Continue ReadingCan I save money on taxes with a Delaware LLC? Here are ways that a Delaware LLC could save Federal income and employment tax. After forming an LLC, there are three alternative tax regimes. No action is required for the first one, and the other two tax elections can be elected into if you think […]
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IncNow President John L. Williams has been selected by the Delaware State Bar Association to serve as a speaker at the inaugural Starting a Law Practice seminar. The two-session seminar, sponsored by the Law Office Management Assistance Program of the DSBA, is geared towards Delaware attorneys looking to build their own firm.The seminar will cover a broad […]
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The American Bar Association tackles Delaware LLC operating agreements and general business practices in a new article featuring IncNow President, John Williams. Williams serves as a key contributor in “Operating Agreements Today: The Foundation to Avoid Controversy Tomorrow,” found in the ABA’s Probate & Property magazine. The passage outlines common oversights when forming an LLC, […]
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Forming a Delaware LLC or corporation for entrepreneurs is about to get even easier with IncNow thanks to an initiative of Global Delaware and the Delaware Division of Libraries. On Monday, October 17th, IncNow incorporation specialists will be present at the Inspiration Space within the Wilmington Public Library as it plays host to Governor Jack Markell […]
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Unlike a Delaware corporation, a Delaware limited liability company (“LLC”), is characterized by the following “built in” attributes often not found in the documents, older rules and stricter formalities that apply to corporations. Of utmost importance to the Delaware LLC’s desirability is the freedom of contract for its members in arranging the organizational structure of […]
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How is the change in membership documented? Typically, the names of LLC members are not filed with the State of Delaware, therefore there is no amendment that needs to be filed with the Delaware Division of Corporations or your Registered Agent to add or remove members from a Delaware LLC. The names of the members […]
Continue ReadingUPDATE: In the aftermath of the Green Hunter Energy case, Wyoming legislature recently added two new subsections to its LLC Act that will make “piercing the veil” of a Wyoming LLC more difficult. The law has been amended to address the limited liability of Wyoming LLC Members, which was weakened by the Green Hunter decision: […]
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For acquisitions or refinancings over $5 Million, the borrower may be able to obtain more competitive interest rates though Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities (“CMBS”) loans instead of traditional bank financing. CMBS loans meet special requirements allowing them to be bundled and sold in blocks on capital markets. Usually income properties with tenants are the most […]
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Can you specify a future filing date for a business? Must a business be formed on a weekday? Can you “back date” a business filing? Dear IncNow, I would like to form an LLC on a date that happens to be on a Saturday this year. Can the LLC’s formation papers still have this date, […]
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Once a business is incorporated, is the liability protection retroactive? Are you protected against business liabilities that arise from pre-incorporation decisions? Is the state fee prorated if you incorporate later in the year? Dear IncNow, When is the best time to incorporate a business? If money has already been spent before incorporation, should it be […]
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If the Certificate of Formation does not list owners, what document proves I am an owner? My bank won’t accept the LLC Agreement. Do I have another option? Is it necessary to amend my Certificate of Formation to list the owners? Dear IncNow, My bank is telling me that I need my registered agent to […]
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IncNow President John Legare Williams, Esq. was recently published as a guest author in the American Bar Association Business Law Section’s online newsletter, Business Law Today, in the January 2016 edition. John’s article, Rural Metro: Gulping Advisers and Practitioner Guidance, was featured in the Delaware Insider column, which highlights recent cases and trends in Delaware […]
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Does the simple Certificate of Revival prove that my company has been revived? Can a Certificate of Revival be used to re-open a bank account? Other than the filing fee, what other costs are associated with reviving a Delaware LLC? Dear IncNow, Thank you very much for the good news regarding the Revival of my […]
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How much you should be paying to maintain your LLC and when Do you need to register your company where it is transacting business? Tips to keep your personal and business assets safe Dear IncNow, Thank you for sending the formation documents. We are updating the Operating Agreement and will sign it within a couple weeks. I will […]
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“My company is moving to a new location, so I need to update the mailing address for my LLC. How do I update it with you as my registered agent?” Thank you for contacting us. You can email us at any time at agents@incnow.com to change your LLC’s contact address. Be sure to send the email from the email […]
Continue ReadingThe Operating Agreement that you sent me outlines ownership and voting rights of the members, etc. It would seem to me this document needs to be filed. Who do I send this to? Dear Customer, You do not need to return a signed copy of your Operating Agreement to your registered agent or the State of Delaware. […]
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“Why does Delaware have such business-friendly corporation laws?” Dear Customer, Delaware has the most pro-business laws of any US state and has a “goldilocks” balance of being stable and slowly evolving. When teaching corporate law, professors across the country teach Delaware corporate law. The United States Chamber of Commerce has recognized Delaware’s business dispute and […]
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If I form a Delaware LLC, will I need to register it in my home state where I do business?” Dear Customer, A Delaware company can be operated from any state within the United States. The question is whether you will need to file with the other state(s) where you are doing business. The answer is […]
Continue ReadingOver Labor Day weekend, after over a decade of development efforts, the Delaware Division of Corporations (the “Division”) successfully launched a new web-based system to administer its business entity and UCC filing systems. Fortunately, Delaware state administrators and the agent community had a long period to train, test and update the system to make sure […]
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“I want to start a LLC and one of my investors is a disabled veteran. Can I state that my company is a disabled veteran owned business?” Dear Customer, Usually the majority of owners (51%) need to be part of the qualifying category to be recognized as a disabled veteran-owned business. That also applies to […]
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“One of the Members of my Delaware LLC is no longer active in the company. What records do I need to update to reflect this change?” Because the names of the LLC members are not usually filed with the State of Delaware, there is no “amendment” that needs to be filed with the Division of […]
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IncNow’s Complete and NOW Delaware LLC packages include the documents your LLC will need to get started. In your package of formation documents, you will receive your Certificate of Formation that shows your company has been filed and Operating Agreement, which lays out the agreed-upon terms of the LLC’s operations and its ownership. An LLC […]
Continue ReadingDelaware Courts will enforce your Delaware LLC Operating Agreement as written. It’s important to document the essential business understanding from the outset. Anyone starting an LLC in Delaware should have a written Delaware LLC Operating Agreement detailing the management and ownership structure. An LLC Agreement is required in Delaware and although the verbal agreement is legal, […]
Continue ReadingOn May 1st, IncNow President John Williams led a panel of distinguished attorneys on the topic of LLCs in real estate transactions. Also presenting were Andrea Whiteway of McDermott Will & Emery LLP, Barry Nekritz of Faegre Baker Daniels LLP, Edward Wender of Venable LLP and Doug Walker of Miles & Stockbridge P.C. The venue […]
Continue ReadingSince one of the first steps in opening a business is launching a website, that may be the first thing you should protect. This is especially true if your website is particularly unique or creative. While you obtain rights merely by publishing it and marking the page copyrighted (e.g., © 2015 Agents and Corporations, Inc. […]
Continue ReadingA few years ago, pressure from U.S. Treasury and International countries prompted Delaware to require a “communications contact” for each LLC formed in Delaware. A 2014 Amendment clarified what is required of this communications contact, including access to ownership and management contact information. What is a Communications Contact for a Delaware LLC? Before these 2014 […]
Continue ReadingKevlar, a protective fabric in bullet-proof jackets, has saved countless lives of police officers and military personnel. Kevlar is a DuPont fiber product, invented in Delaware. Delaware has another invention with protective properties in its incorporation laws, which have saved countless business owners from creditors who would have pierced the corporate veil had the judgment […]
Continue ReadingWhen financing real estate projects over $3,000,000 from across the country, often the best rates are available when Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities (CMBS) loans are used instead of traditional bank financing. We have seen these requests made for a variety of business properties such as storage facilities, student housing, multi-family housing, retail centers and commercial office […]
Continue ReadingMommy Blogs have exploded in popularity in the last few years. Now anyone with a computer or smartphone is able to express her opinion to potentially millions of female household decision-makers on easy-to-use and often free or inexpensive platforms such as Tumblr and WordPress blogs. Due to the perceived informal nature of a blog, mommy […]
Continue ReadingDelaware may be known for being “business friendly”, but Delaware can be a buzzkill when it comes to blatant “marijuana” business names. The Delaware Secretary of State rejects certain names it administratively determines are not engaged in a “lawful business, purpose or activity.” Delaware does not mind if you want to export entity products, but do […]
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If you want the benefit of an LLC in Canada, you will need to form an LLC in the United States. Most people from Canada who want an LLC will form it in Delaware. Surprisingly, Canada has no equivalent to the LLC under national or provincial laws. The process of forming a Delaware LLC and […]
Continue ReadingAnyone who can incorporate in another state can decide instead to incorporate in Delaware. U.S. constitutional law allows you to incorporate in Delaware with the same rights and privileges as a business incorporated in your home state. The difference is that Delaware law will govern the internal affairs of your business. People from all over […]
Continue ReadingA limited number of commercial registered agents have access to a dedicated online connection to the State of Delaware. This online filing system is not web based. It is a MS-DOS based terminal where the user has direct access to the Delaware Secretary of State Division of Corporations mainframe. DCIS stands for Delaware Corporation Information […]
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One of the most commonly asked questions is whether a business address or physical address is a requirement to incorporate in the state of Delaware. Both domestic and international customers ask this question. Since most of the businesses filed in Delaware are located outside Delaware; this is a common concern. Do not let this concern […]
Continue ReadingA new Delaware law confirms that the charging order is the sole and exclusive remedy for judgment creditors. This means that other remedies, such as attaching, garnishing, and foreclosing on the interest are not permitted under Delaware law. Charging orders mean that a debtor’s interest can only be assigned to a judgment creditor, giving only […]
Continue ReadingChances are you have researched the term Delaware LLC and you are almost ready to incorporate a State of Delaware LLC. Yet you are anxious to get started and want to choose an incorporator to start your Delaware LLC quickly and be a reliable Registered Agent in Delaware. The question you have is how long […]
Continue ReadingDelaware is one of the best states that offers the self-funded Asset Protrction Trust (“APT”). This trust is designed to protect assets from future creditors, yet provide an income benefit to you, the donor. This is a trust commonly used by medical and dental professionals, executives, business owners, to hedge against future business and professional […]
Continue ReadingHere is an upcoming Class that John Williams will be presenting to Entrepreneurs: Mon, May 20th, 2013 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm EDT The coIN Loft 605 N. Market St., Second Floor Wilmington, DE 19801 Welcome to the world of incorporating for entrepreneurs, simplified. Incorporating is an easy step that should not be overlooked or […]
Continue ReadingWhile the thought of Facebook may conjure up images of Justin Timberlake scheming plans in sunny Palo Alto, a lot of people would be surprised to learn that they incorporated in Delaware. Facebook also had to file a Certificate of Authority in California which is different from re-incorporating in California. Instead Facebook in California is […]
Continue ReadingJohn Williams will be presenting a “hot topics” conference call with the American Bar Association’s Real Property Trusts and Estates Section’s subcommittee on Partnerships and LLCs to discuss why attorneys SHOULD use series LLCs in real estate transactions. This call is tentatively scheduled for mid January, 2013. Items to be discussed will include common applications […]
Continue ReadingBob is deciding between a limited liability company (“LLC”) and a Corporation (“Inc.”) and he first “does his homework” to see what documents are included with the package. Bob notices the “complete LLC” includes a certificate of formation on file with the Division of Corporations and an internal LLC operating agreement. He may realize that […]
Continue ReadingI thought it would be helpful to explain the Delaware Limited Liability Company (“LLC” or “company”) formation process after Agents and Corporations, Inc. (“we” or “our”) receive an order through www.incnow.com. Our office upon receiving your order will first log into the State of Delaware Secretary of State Division of Corporations (the “State”) computer system […]
Continue Reading1. LLC’s have stock. No. LLC members’ ownership derives from the agreement with the company and its other members, not from the possession of a certificate. While an LLC can issue membership certificates, it is not recommended and such membership certificates are misleading. The ownership interest is derived from the contract, not possession of a […]
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