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.
Having an operating agreement for a single-member LLC helps demonstrate the legal separation between the business and the owner, reinforcing the member's personal limited liability protection in the event of a lawsuit against the company.
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.
The operating agreement is a legally binding document that is filed internally and kept at the business's physical location. The operating agreement is not filed with the state.
Common pitfalls of a poorly drafted Operating Agreement include failing to: (i) specify what authority managers or members have; (ii) carve out key decisions that require a higher approval threshold (e.g., dissolution, sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the LLC, etc.); (iii) address how deadlocks in the ...
Every LLC that is registered in the states of California, Delaware, Maine, Missouri, and New York is legally required to have an operating agreement.
Yes. California law requires LLCs to create an operating agreement during their initial registration process. The LLC does not have to file the operating agreement with the Secretary of State. Instead, the finished agreement is stored at the company's designated office where its records are kept.
Does an LLC operating agreement need to be notarized? An LLC operating agreement does not need to be notarized.
Just like wills, there is generally no requirement that a contract be notarized in order to be legally binding. However, if a party who signed a business agreement decides to dispute that agreement in court, a notarized contract can help a great deal.
Most states, including California, Texas, and New York, do not require notarization for operating agreements. In these jurisdictions, notarization remains voluntary and may be pursued to enhance document authenticity and credibility.