Business Formation: We enjoy helping people realize their dream of starting and owning a business. Because it is such a big and important step we want our clients to be sure that they do the right thing the right way to get their business started. There are several different ways to own a business and each way accomplishes different ownership objectives. Corporations, both “C” corporations and “S” corporations and LLC’s can protect their owner’s personal assets from liabilities arising out of business operations. However, the differences between these three types of business forms for tax purposes are substantial. A C corporation, on the one hand, reports and pays tax on its income separately from its owners. The income or loss of an S corporation or LLC, (as well as partnerships) on the other hand, is generally reported by the owners on their personal returns. The choice among these forms therefore, is often tax-driven and requires an analysis of how the founders expect to profit from the business. Partnerships do not provide protection from liability but, like LLCs, offer substantial flexibility in how the business will be managed. To help you better understand which of these forms is best for your business we have prepared a chart that compares each one. Please fill out the form in our contact section or call (630)668-4200 to request your free copy.
Business Operations: Once a business has been established we provide numerous services to help keep the business running smoothly. Whether the business is a partnership, corporation or an LLC, it is very important to keep good business records, and to hold meetings at least annually. The failure to keep good business records and to hold regular meetings can result in the loss of protection from liability for corporation and LLC owners. To help our clients in this area we offer three flat-fee services: Registered Agent services, Corporate Secretary services, and Corporate Counsel services. Our Registered Agent and Corporate Secretary services require modest annual fees. As registered agent for a corporation or LLC we are the first to receive any official notices sent to the business so that the business can be sure that the notice is acted on timely and effectively. We also ensure that the annual reports that must be filed with the Secretary of State are properly and timely prepared and filed so that the business is not dissolved by the Secretary of State for non-compliance, and the business owners are not subjected to personal liability because of the dissolution of the business.
Under our Corporate Secretary program, we ensure that the annual meeting and annual record requirements for corporations and LLCs are met, so that the owners of the business can be assured of continuous protection from personal liability. Under our Corporate Counsel program, for a modest monthly fee, our registered agent and corporate secretary services are not only included, but we are available to our business clients for unlimited telephone advice, for contract reviews and consultation and for periodic updates of information and laws of importance to our clients. Please reach us through our contact section or call (630)668-4200 for more information about these services. Apart from these services, we are always available to assist our clients with contracts, leases, financing agreements, employment matters and almost any other other day-to-day business matters that may arise.
Business Purchases and Sales: If the decision has been made to buy or to sell a business, it is important to have an attorney involved as soon as possible. Unlike real estate sales or purchases, the purchase or sale of a business involves many moving parts involving, among other things, customer relations, employee relations, cash flows, inventories, intellectual property rights, competition issues and other matters that require detailed and experienced attention if the transaction will have the best opportunity to succeed. We look forward to working with our clients on so important a matter as the sale or purchase of a business. To assist you with organizing, evaluating and dealing with all of the moving parts of a business purchase or sale we have available a due diligence check list that will be an invaluable aid to your purchase or sale preparations. Please fill out the form in our contact section or call (630)668-4200 to request your free copy.
Employer representation, contracts and restrictive covenants
Business and commercial litigation
Commercial real estate leases, contracts and transactions
Personal injury litigation
Divorce, custody and family law matters
Wills and estates
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