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.
Why do you need an operating agreement? To protect the business' limited liability status: Operating agreements give members protection from personal liability to the LLC. Without this specific formality, your LLC can closely resemble a sole proprietorship or partnership, jeopardizing your personal liability.
Their absence can lead to governance by default state laws, management, and financial disorganization, and increased legal vulnerabilities. LLCS should draft and maintain an operating agreement tailored to their specific business needs.
Georgia state law doesn't require you to have an operating agreement, but it does give “maximum effect” to freedom of contract, so a strong operating agreement can give you a lot of control over your LLC in this state.
Operating agreements are not necessarily needed or legally required for setting up or operating an LLC. Some states require LLCs to have a written operating agreement, including California, Delaware, Maine, Missouri, and New York.
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.
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.
Common Mistakes to Avoid in Your LLC Operating Agreement Overlooking the Need for an Operating Agreement. Vague or Incomplete Agreements. Failing to Plan for Disputes and Dissolution. Ignoring State-Specific Requirements. Inconsistency with Other Business Documents. Not Updating the Agreement. DIY without Professional Advice.
Look through your files dating back to the business formation, and check your personal financial records (for example, your tax records) for a copy of the agreement.
LLC operating agreements usually provide much more information, and almost all the provisions for how the business will be managed, and the rights, duties, and liabilities of members and managers are contained in the operating agreement. An operating agreement is a private document.