To split ownership interest in an LLC, you will need to draft an LLC operating agreement. This operating agreement document will outline how profits and losses are divided among members and other controlling provisions such as voting rights and management structure.
Once you (and the other LLC Members, if applicable) sign the Operating Agreement, then it becomes a legal document. Can I write my own Operating Agreement? Yes, but we recommend using an Operating Agreement template. An Operating Agreement is a legal document.
Setting up a Multi-Member LLC: Step-by-step Choose your LLC Name. Choose your LLC Registered Agent. File your LLC Articles of Organization. Create an LLC Operating Agreement. Get an EIN for an LLC. Register for Business Licenses and Permits. Register for and file LLC Taxes (like sales tax, business tax, etc.)
Setting up a Multi-Member LLC: Step-by-step Choose your LLC Name. Choose your LLC Registered Agent. File your LLC Articles of Organization. Create an LLC Operating Agreement. Get an EIN for an LLC. Register for Business Licenses and Permits. Register for and file LLC Taxes (like sales tax, business tax, etc.)
In an LLC, there's two main ways to grant equity. One is via an employee buy-in, where they buy the stock at its market value (either at hire or over a set time). The second method is through what's called profit interest units, where you grant a share of the profit without their contributing anything.
For multi-member LLCs, each member will have an ownership stake. One of the main differences between these two structures is that two or more people cannot own a single-member LLC, unless you're married in a community property state, and a single person cannot own a multi-member LLC.
Limited liability companies do not operate with or sell shares. Instead, members will hold a percentage of interest in the business depending on their agreement. Sole owners or single-members control 100% equity or company interest.
LLC Ownership Percentage In most LLCs, ownership matches the amount of capital each member contributes to the LLC. For example, let's say that three business partners team up to create an LLC. One member contributes $50,000, and the other two contribute $25,000 a piece to help get the business up and running.
There are four common methods of granting equity or equity incentives in an LLC: (1) outright membership interest or membership unit grants, (2) LLC incentive units (aka “profit interests”), (3) a phantom or parallel unit plan (aka. synthetic equity), and (4) options to acquire LLC capital interests.
Owners of an LLC are called members. Most states do not restrict ownership, so members may include individuals, corporations, other LLCs and foreign entities. There is no maximum number of members. Most states also permit “single-member” LLCs, those having only one owner.