Business Formations: Corporations, LLCs, Fictitious Names, & Partnerships
Starting a business is an exciting and transformative venture, but it also comes with important legal decisions that can impact your company's long-term success. At Old City Law, we specialize in guiding entrepreneurs and business owners through the complexities of business formation, ensuring that your new venture is built on a strong legal foundation.
Whether you're forming a Corporation, Limited Liability Company (LLC), Fictitious Name (Doing Business As), or a Partnership, our experienced St. Augustine attorneys provide comprehensive services tailored to your specific needs. Here's an overview of the different business structures we help you establish:
Corporations (C-Corp, S-Corp)
Corporations are separate legal entities that offer liability protection for their shareholders, meaning personal assets are generally shielded from business debts or lawsuits. Our attorneys will help you choose between a C-Corporation and an S-Corporation based on factors like taxation, management structure, and long-term business goals. We assist with:
Filing Articles of Incorporation
Drafting Bylaws
Issuing Shares
Obtaining Employer Identification Numbers (EIN)
Ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations
Limited Liability Companies (LLCs)
LLCs provide flexibility in both management and taxation while offering personal liability protection for business owners (members). Whether you're a single-member LLC or have multiple members, we assist with:
Preparing and filing Articles of Organization
Drafting Operating Agreements
Structuring your LLC for optimal tax treatment (e.g., disregarded entity, partnership, or corporation)
Obtaining the necessary licenses and permits
LLCs are a popular choice for small to medium-sized businesses due to their simplicity and flexibility.
Fictitious Names (DBA)
If your business operates under a name that is different from your legal business name, you’ll need to register a Fictitious Name (often called a "Doing Business As" or DBA name). We help you ensure compliance with state and local registration requirements, protecting your brand identity and preventing future legal issues. Our services include:
Filing DBA registrations with the appropriate county or state authorities
Ensuring your desired name is not already in use or trademarked
Providing guidance on renewing or changing your DBA registration as your business evolves
Partnerships
Partnerships allow two or more individuals to share ownership of a business, but they require clear agreements to define responsibilities, liabilities, and profit-sharing arrangements. We assist with both General Partnerships and Limited Partnerships, providing:
Drafting and reviewing Partnership Agreements
Establishing clear terms for decision-making, profit distribution, and dispute resolution
Registering with state authorities if needed
Advising on tax considerations for different partnership structures
Why Choose Old City Law for Your Business Formation?
Starting the right type of business entity is crucial to your company's success. At Old City Law, we take the time to understand your goals, vision, and challenges so that we can recommend the best structure for your business. Our team will guide you through every step of the process—from the initial filing to ongoing compliance—ensuring that your business is set up correctly and positioned for growth.
Let us help you navigate the intricacies of business formation, so you can focus on building and growing your business with confidence.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation or learn more about how we can assist with your business formation needs.