Build Your Business Foundation
Expert legal guidance for startups, partnerships, and corporations.
Comprehensive Business Formation and Legal Guidance
I help individuals, families, and entrepreneurs build strong legal foundations for their businesses. Whether you are starting a new venture or restructuring an existing one, I provide practical guidance to help you choose and maintain the right business structure.
How I Can Help
I assist clients with every stage of the probate process, including:
Determining which business entity best fits your goals and risk profile
Creating General Partnerships and Limited Partnerships
Forming Family Limited Partnerships
Creating Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs)
Forming Limited Liability Companies (LLCs)
Creating Corporations and S-Corporations
Establishing Foundations
Serving as your Registered Agent
Reviewing and advising on business contracts
Assisting with Buy/Sell Agreements
Choosing the Right Entity
Selecting the right business structure impacts taxes, liability, management, and long-term growth. I work closely with my clients to evaluate these factors and recommend an entity that aligns with both personal and business objectives.
Sole Proprietorships
A sole proprietorship is a one-person business that is not registered with the state as a corporation or limited liability company. Many individuals operate as sole proprietors without realizing it, such as independent contractors who are not on an employer’s payroll.
This structure is simple and inexpensive to maintain, and all profits are taxed as personal income. However, the owner is personally responsible for business debts and taxes and must still comply with applicable local registration, licensing, and permit requirements.
General Partnerships
A general partnership is the simplest and least expensive co-owned business structure. Each partner participates in operating the business, and all partners share personal liability for business debts and taxes.
Profits are reported on each partner’s personal income tax return. As with sole proprietorships, general partnerships must comply with local registration, licensing, and permit laws.
Limited Partnerships Formation and Legal Guidance
A limited partnership includes both general and limited partners. The general partner manages the business and assumes personal liability for its debts, while limited partners act as passive investors and risk only their investment in the partnership.
All profits are reported on the partners’ personal income tax returns. Local registration, licensing, and permit requirements still apply.
Limited Liability Companies (LLCs)
A limited liability company, or LLC, combines the pass-through taxation of a partnership or sole proprietorship with the liability protection of a corporation. Business profits and losses are reported on the owners’ personal tax returns, and the LLC itself is not a separate taxable entity.
At the same time, LLC owners are generally protected from personal liability for business debts and legal claims. Only the assets of the business are at risk, not personal property such as a home. LLCs must be registered with the Georgia Secretary of State.
Corporations
Corporations are structured with shareholders, a board of directors, and officers. Shareholders own the corporation, directors oversee major decisions, and officers manage daily operations.
While corporations require more formal organization and ongoing compliance, they provide strong liability protection for owners. One disadvantage is double taxation, as the corporation pays taxes on its income and shareholders pay taxes on dividends they receive.
Ongoing Business Support
In addition to entity formation, I provide continued legal support to help businesses operate smoothly and protect their interests. This includes contract review, registered agent services, and assistance with buy/sell agreements designed to address ownership changes and long-term planning.
Build Your Business With Confidence
Choosing the right business structure from the beginning can prevent costly issues down the road. I offer business law services and practical guidance to help you make informed decisions and establish a strong legal foundation for your business.
If you are starting or restructuring a business, please reach out to discuss how I can help.