what type of attorney for forming a business owner association

by Carole Jerde 9 min read

What types of lawyers are available to small businesses?

Apr 09, 2015 · Nevertheless, professional corporations that are C corporations enjoy certain tax benefits. The tax law allows a C corporation to provide its employees with many types of fringe benefits which it can deduct from the corporation’s income as a business expense. These include: health, accident, and dental insurance. disability insurance.

Do I need an attorney to start a sole proprietorship?

Jun 15, 2010 · When You Might Need an Attorney for Business Startup. The most common reasons for needing an attorney are: Navigating the many forms and requirements of legal documents, like incorporation documents, that are involved. Assurance the startup is being done right. Enabling you to focus on other aspects of the business so you don't have to spend ...

Which is the best Association for small business owners?

Jan 24, 2022 · Many property owners' associations in Texas are formed as nonprofit corporations. This means that they are business entities formally created under Texas law and registered with the Secretary of State. For this reason, when asked questions about the functions of an HOA, our librarians often refer people to the Texas law on nonprofit corporations.

Do I need an attorney to register my business?

Your business structure affects how much you pay in taxes, your ability to raise money, the paperwork you need to file, and your personal liability. You'll need to choose a business structure before you register your business with the state. Most businesses will also need to get a tax ID number and file for the appropriate licenses and permits.

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What do business lawyers do?

The Business Lawyer's responsibilities include researching cases, drafting contracts, developing diverse corporate procedures, managing budgets, ensuring regulatory compliance, drafting codes of conduct, litigating course cases, and facilitating corporate mergers.

Why should a lawyer be consulted when starting a new business?

These professionals have seen first-hand the mistakes entrepreneurs make, and know how to help you avoid them. It is best to consult with your attorney early on in the process, before you formally organize the company; the foundational issues are critical to the long-term success of your new venture.Jan 14, 2013

How do you start a business without a lawyer?

Sole proprietorships, being the simplest business entity, can easily be launched on your own without a lawyer. You don't have to file incorporation documents to start operating. Although, you may need to file an assumed name certificate locally, obtain all licenses and permits, and get an EIN from the IRS.Apr 4, 2019

How can a lawyer help a startup?

Legal help for Startups in their business formation and to cover statutory legal compliances results in laying a solid base and hassle-free operations which provides entrepreneurs/ founders/ promoters to focus on the more vital needs such as hiring, funding and finance and other processes to enable growth.

Why do business owners form corporations?

The main reason business owners form corporations is to shield their personal assets from the business’s debts and lawsuits arising from its operation. For many years, most states prohibited certain personal service professionals, such as doctors and lawyers, from forming corporations because it was thought ...

What is a C corporation?

A C corporation will be classified as a personal service corporation if substantially all the stock is owned by corporate employees engaged in the following activities or professions: health services. law. accounting. engineering. architecture. consulting. actuarial science, or. performing arts.

What are the benefits of a C corporation?

Nevertheless, professional corporations that are C corporations enjoy certain tax benefits. The tax law allows a C corporation to provide its employees with many types of fringe benefits which it can deduct from the corporation’s income as a business expense. These include: 1 health, accident, and dental insurance 2 disability insurance 3 deferred compensation plans 4 working condition fringe benefits such as company-owned cars, and 5 group term life insurance.

Can a C corporation deduct fringe benefits?

Nevertheless, professional corporations that are C corporations enjoy certain tax benefits. The tax law allows a C corporation to provide its employees with many types of fringe benefits which it can deduct from the corporation’s income as a business expense. These include:

Is the law surrounding the creation of a professional corporation complicated?

The law surrounding creation of a professional corporation is complicated. Plus, the facts of each case are unique. This article provides a brief, general introduction to the topic. For more detailed, specific information, please consult a business lawyer.

Can a shareholder lose personal assets?

In an ordinary corporation, a shareholder can lose only the amount the shareholder invests in the corporation. The shareholder’s personal assets —such as his or her personal bank accounts or home—cannot be reached by the corporation’s creditors. In contrast, a partnership creditor can reach the personal assets of any partner in a general partnership. Thus, for example, if a doctor in a general partnership carelessly injures a patient, the victim may sue any partner for his or her losses and collect any judgment or settlement against that partner’s personal assets.

Is a professional corporation a C corporation?

A professional corporation can be either a regular C corporation that is a separate taxpaying entity that files its own tax returns and pays taxes at corporate tax rates, or it can elect to be taxed as an S corporation in which profits or losses are passed through the corporation to be taxed on the shareholders’ personal tax returns. ...

Why do I need an attorney?

The most common reasons for needing an attorney are: 1 Navigating the many forms and requirements of legal documents, like incorporation documents, that are involved. 2 Assurance the startup is being done right. 3 Enabling you to focus on other aspects of the business so you don't have to spend time learning the legal processes. 4 Support with specific tasks like trademarking your name, reviewing lease documents, discussing potential legal structures, and preparing incorporation forms. 5 Online legal form providers don't always do it right. Businesses aren't one-size-fits-all, so blanket legal documents don't always work.

Can I register my business online?

You might be able to register online with your state or use an online service to register your business, but it might be a good idea to use an attorney if your business is at all complicated. Corporations or S corporations must register with the state as well.

Do I need an attorney to start a business?

The simpler your business, the less you'll need an attorney. A sole proprietorship is the simplest business form. It doesn' t require that you register your business with your state, so no, you probably don't need an attorney ...

What is LLC in business?

It offers pass-through taxes, limits on an individual's personal liability, and legal protection for an owner's personal assets. There are no residency requirements for an LLC.

What is a PA?

A PA is an entity designed for businesses offering a professional service. In some jurisdictions, only certain service professions can form a PA. Common professions that utilize the PA designation include:

What is the Texas Homeowners Association Law 4th edition?

In addition to being a wonderful cataloging of Texas law, it contains many sample documents such as meeting notices, requests to inspect books and records, notices of fines and liens, and more.

What is a resale certificate?

As part of the home-buying process, you can request that the property owners' association give you a copy of the bylaws, rules, and restrictive covenants of the association and a "resale certificate," which summarizes the finances of the association and any outstanding money owed by the property.

What is the Texas Property Code?

Texas Property Code, Chapter 202 . This chapter discusses “restrictive covenants” in general, their construction, and their enforcement. It lists certain restrictions that are prohibited by law and also contains a provision related to an association's duty to file dedicatory instruments with the county. Texas Business Organizations Code, Chapter 22.

Confusion Greatest in Small Businesses

As we discussed in two earlier articles in NYPRR, the application of the entity principle of representation to questions of ethics makes a great deal of sense when the entity involved is a large company of the Fortune-500 type.

Courts Hostile to Suits By Constituents

Consistently, the New York courts have dismissed a shareholder malpractice action on the ground that for “a wrong against a corporation a shareholder has no individual cause of action, though he loses the value of his investment or incurs personal liability in an effort to maintain the solvency of the corporation.” [ See, e.g., Schaeffer v.

How to Avoid Confusion

What steps should a lawyer take to lessen the likelihood that a court will find that an attorney-client relationship exists between the lawyer and a shareholder or partner who initially retains the lawyer to form a business entity, or who asks the lawyer to represent the business on a continuing basis? The engagement letter and the lawyer’s bills and statements are the obvious places to start.

What is business association?

The business association meaning refers to membership organizations that are engaged in and supportive of the promotion of the business interests of their members.

What are the characteristics of a business association?

There are three characteristics of a business association: 1 The association must have more than one member when they are formed. 2 The assets must be legally distinct from the private assets of the members. 3 The association must have a formal system of management, which may consist of people who are members as well as those who are not members.

How many members are required to form an association?

The association must have more than one member when they are formed. The assets must be legally distinct from the private assets of the members. The association must have a formal system of management, which may consist of people who are members as well as those who are not members.

What are the two types of businesses?

There are two types of businesses: profit and nonprofit. A nonprofit business is an individual or a group of people working to enhance the public good. This type of business needs enough funding to cover operational expenses. Any excess funds are channeled back into the organization to propel the business forward.

What is a cooperative association in Minnesota?

Cooperative associations are organized as legal entities under and overned by Minnesota Statutes Chapter 308A. Non-Minnesota cooperatives that wish to do business in Minnesota register under Chapter 303.

Why are cooperatives organized?

Cooperatives are organized primarily for the purpose of providing service to their user-owners, rather than to generate profit for investors . Although cooperatives had their origins in Minnesota in the agricultural sector, in recent years many consumer cooperatives have been established.

What is a cooperative?

Cooperatives. A cooperative is a form of business organization in which the business is owned and controlled by those who use its services. A cooperative may be organized as a legal entity or it may be an unincorporated association.

How many votes does a Minnesota cooperative have?

By statute in Minnesota, members each have one vote, rather than multiple votes based on their capital investment in the cooperative. In some other states, proportional voting based on a member’s volume of business with the cooperative is allowed.

What are the purposes of cooperatives?

Some of the more common purposes for which cooperatives are formed are: To supply members with agricultural production components such as fuels, fertilizers, feed and chemicals; To provide members with an organizational structure for jointly handling and marketing their products;

Can you take on an investor member in Minnesota?

In an effort to encourage capital investment, all forms of cooperatives in Minnesota are allowed to take on investor-members in addition to the traditional patron-members. Investor members may not necessarily purchase products from the cooperative but join the cooperative to earn a profit from an investment and to provide capital funds for cooperative expansion. In allowing for investor-members, the law largely combines portions of the traditional cooperative statute with portions of the limited liability statute.

What is the best organization to join as a minority business owner?

One of the best to join is the Minority Chamber of Commerce.

What is the best women's business association?

If you’re a woman small business owner, the best women’s small business association to join is eWomenNetwork. Founded in 2000, they’re one of the largest and most established women’s business networks in the United States. They now include over 2,000 women-owned businesses and have 118 chapters in the U.S. and Canada. There’s likely a local small business association chapter near you—check their website to find one.

What is the best way to stay up to date with what's going on in your field?

Joining small business associations that are related to certain industries and trades is a great way to stay up-to-date with what’s going on in your field. Most industry and trade associations will offer online and offline resources, like events, conferences, directories, and education centers.

What is the NFIB?

The NFIB advocates for almost 350,000 small business members. Their main objective is to lobby at the state and federal level for small business issues. But as a member, you also have access to their small business discounts, events, online forums, and so on.

Is Meetup a business?

As a global social networking platform, Meetup.com sounds pretty broad—but websites like Meetup can be one of the best small business associations for you to tap into. Meetup.com isn’t technically a small business association—anyone can use the platform.

Is American Express a small business?

We’ll admit, American Express’s Shop Small Forum isn’t necessarily a small business association, but it can be a very valuable resource for small business owners who have business credit cards from American Express.

What is a WBDC?

The Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC) is one of the largest women-centered small business associations that supports and promotes women-owned businesses in the United States. The WBDC is great for women business owners who are just starting out and for those who are established.

What is the simplest structure for two or more people to own a business together?

Partnership. Partnerships are the simplest structure for two or more people to own a business together. There are two common kinds of partnerships : limited partnerships (LP) and limited liability partnerships (LLP).

What is LLC in business?

An LLC lets you take advantage of the benefits of both the corporation and partnership business structures. LLCs protect you from personal liability in most instances, your personal assets — like your vehicle, house, and savings accounts — won't be at risk in case your LLC faces bankruptcy or lawsuits.

What is the importance of business structure?

You should choose a business structure that gives you the right balance of legal protections and benefits.

How does business structure affect taxes?

Your business structure affects how much you pay in taxes, your ability to raise money, the paperwork you need to file, and your personal liability. You'll need to choose a business structure before you register your business with the state. Most businesses will also need to get a tax ID number and file for the appropriate licenses and permits.

How many shareholders can an S corp have?

There are special limits on S corps. S corps can't have more than 100 shareholders, and all shareholders must be U.S. citizens. You'll still have to follow the strict filing and operational processes of a C corp.

Do corporations pay taxes?

Unlike sole proprietors, partnerships, and LLCs, corporations pay income tax on their profits. In some cases, corporate profits are taxed twice — first, when the company makes a profit, and again when dividends are paid to shareholders on their personal tax returns.

Can an LLC be taxed as a C corp?

Designations like S corp and nonprofit aren't strictly business structures — they can also be understood as a tax status. It's possible for an LLC to be taxed as a C corp, S corp, or a nonprofit. These arrangements are far less common and can be more difficult to set up.

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Understanding Professional Associations

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A PA is an entity designed for businesses offering a professional service. In some jurisdictions, only certain service professions can form a PA. Common professions that utilize the PA designation include: 1. Medical doctors 2. Veterinarians 3. Lawyers 4. Architects Generally, people who own and run PAs must be licensed i…
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Understanding LLCs and PLLCs

  • An LLC provides a business structure for businesses operated by one or more people. One of the many attractions of an LLC is that it provides a simple business structure. It offers pass-through taxes, limits on an individual's personal liability, and legal protection for an owner's personal assets. There are no residency requirements for an LLC. For persons interested in establishing …
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Check with The State

  • For people considering establishing a business structure, you can contact the state to determine what options are available. Each state also has information on the limits of different types of business structures. After determining which business structures your planned business may qualify for, take time to consider the tax consequences of one structure over another. The journe…
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Confusion Greatest in Small Businesses

  • As we discussed in two earlier articles in NYPRR, the application of the entity principle of representation to questions of ethics makes a great deal of sense when the entity involved is a large company of the Fortune-500 type. In theory, the more the management and ownership of a business are separate and independent from its constituents, and the more the ownership is dis…
See more on newyorklegalethics.com

Courts Hostile to Suits by Constituents

  • Consistently, the New York courts have dismissed a shareholder malpractice action on the ground that for “a wrong against a corporation a shareholder has no individual cause of action, though he loses the value of his investment or incurs personal liability in an effort to maintain the solvency of the corporation.” [See, e.g., Schaeffer v. Lipton, 243 A.D.2d 969, 970, 663 N.Y.S.2d 392, 393 (3…
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How to Avoid Confusion

  • What steps should a lawyer take to lessen the likelihood that a court will find that an attorney-client relationship exists between the lawyer and a shareholder or partner who initially retains the lawyer to form a business entity, or who asks the lawyer to represent the business on a continuing basis? The engagement letter and the lawyer’s bills and statements are the obvious places to st…
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Related Posts

  1. June 2, 2015
  2. July 1, 2009
  3. May 1, 2008
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Overview of Business Associations

  • Associations typically perform an assortment of activities that could be costly and time consuming for an individual company to undertake on its own. This could include activities such as research, lobbying, setting industry standards, and information gathering. Spokespersons for associations contend that companies combining their voices under one banner, a strong presen…
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Choosing A Business Association

  • Business associationsoperate at all levels including local, state, regional, and national levels. When considering joining an association, a brochure or information packet with information about the group's background, services, philosophy, and affiliations should first be requested. A meeting should also be requested to meet a representative of the association or you can attend an organ…
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Characteristics of A Business Association

  • There are three characteristics of a business association: 1. The association must have more than one member when they are formed. 2. The assets must be legally distinct from the private assets of the members. 3. The association must have a formal system of management, which may consist of people who are members as well as those who are not members. The first chara…
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Types of Business Associations

  1. Sole proprietorships
  2. Partnerships
  3. Limited partnerships
  4. Partnerships with limited liability
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Business Organization Overview

  • Keep in mind that these business organizations are not all created equal. Some are poorly organized, some are poorly attended, and others offer little in benefits to businesses. On the reverse side, some entrepreneurs who have limited time to attend to business and family are unable to invest the time needed to commit to a membership.
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Overview of A Business Organization

  • A business organization can be a single person or a group of people working together in the pursuit of the same commercial goals. There are two types of businesses: profit and nonprofit. A nonprofit business is an individual or a group of people working to enhance the public good. This type of business needs enough funding to cover operational expenses. Any excess funds are ch…
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Cooperatives

  • A cooperative is a form of business organization in which the business is owned and controlled by those who use its services. A cooperative may be organized as a legal entity or it may be an unincorporated association. Cooperative associations are organized as legal entities under and overned by Minnesota Statutes Chapter 308A. Non-Minnesota cooperatives that wish to do busi…
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User-Owner Control

  • Cooperatives are owned and controlled by their members. By statute in Minnesota, members each have one vote, rather than multiple votes based on their capital investment in the cooperative. In some other states, proportional voting based on a member’s volume of business with the cooperative is allowed. Operations generally are conducted by a board of directors elected by m…
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Service at Cost

  • Cooperatives stress providing services to members at the lowest responsible cost. After setting aside reserves to protect the cooperative’s financial security and growth, any remaining net margin is distributed to members as a patronage refund, according to the business volume each has done with the cooperative during the year.
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Limited Return on Equity Investment

  • Cooperatives are designed primarily to provide services to members, rather than to produce a profit for investors. Accordingly, the return on investment in the form of dividends is limited. Minnesota statutes permit, but do not require, the payment of dividends on capital stock. Dividends may be paid only when the net income of the cooperative for the previous fiscal year i…
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New Investors

  • In an effort to encourage capital investment, all forms of cooperatives in Minnesota are allowed to take on investor-members in addition to the traditional patron-members. Investor members may not necessarily purchase products from the cooperative but join the cooperative to earn a profit from an investment and to provide capital funds for cooperative expansion. In allowing for inves…
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