The members of an LLC are required to adopt a written Operating Agreement. See Section 417 of the Limited Liability Company Law. The Operating Agreement may be entered into before, at the time of, or within 90 days after the filing of the Articles of Organization.
A strong operating agreement should address LLC ownership (who are the members and what are their membership percentages), the rights and responsibilities of members, member shares of profits and losses, management structure (member-managed or manager-managed), the amendment process, how members can buy in or sell out ...
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.
How to create an LLC operating agreement in 9 steps Decide between a template or an attorney. Include your business information. List your LLC's members. Choose a management structure. Outline ownership transfers and dissolution. Determine tax structure. Gather LLC members to sign the agreement. Distribute copies.
Every LLC that is registered in the states of California, Delaware, Maine, Missouri, and New York is legally required to have an operating agreement.
If you're forming—or have formed—an LLC in California, New York, Missouri, Maine, or Delaware, state laws require you to create an LLC Operating Agreement. But no matter what state you're in, it's always a good idea to create a formal agreement between LLC members.
Ask a Fellow Co-Owner. Each principal in an LLC should have a copy of the operating agreement and can provide you with one if yours has been misplaced. In fact, the operating agreement itself may include language regarding the responsibility of each company officer to provide copies of documents upon request.
Once the document is signed by the members of the limited liability company, it acts as an official contract binding them to its terms.