Forming a Business

Business Formation Attorneys

Entity Selection and Counsel for Family-Owned Operations

Decisions on the front end of starting a business have ramifications for the future success or failure of the enterprise. The attentive attorneys of the Law Office of DeCaro & Howell walk you through these important choices, from a base of knowledge more commonly associated with a much larger firm.

Our core clients are family-run businesses of all sizes seeking cost-effective and forward-looking advice and representation. Based in Upper Marlboro, we represent start-ups in suburban Maryland, northern Virginia, and the Washington D.C. metro area. Our experienced lawyers have helped hundreds of new business owners in all industries: real estate and construction, restaurants and catering, gas stations, manufacturing and more. Arrange a consultation at 301-464-1400.

Choosing the Entity that Aligns with Your Goals

We take the time to explore your business formation options, advising on the advantages and potential drawbacks of each:

• Limited liability company (LLC)
• Corporation (S corporation or standard C corporation)
• Business partnership (LLP)
• Nonprofit corporation (help fill out IRS form 1023)

In guiding clients, we discuss tolerance for individual liability exposure, taxation issues, profit-sharing, management structure, and business succession planning. Properly set up, an LLC allows you to maintain control of the business while gradually divesting ownership interest to pass to your heirs. A corporation may be more appropriate to retain the option of selling outside the family.

Attending to the Specifics

Entity selection is only half of business formation. We carefully create documents to anticipate future problems, and assist with both operational and regulatory matters associated with start-up:

• Drafting the operating agreement, shareholder agreement or partnership agreements
• Creating articles of incorporation or organization
• Drafting the bylaws for governance of the company
• Filing with the state and registering tax accounts
• Filling out forms with the IRS, including form 1023

Our full-service philosophy does not end with business formation. DeCaro & Howell provides ongoing consulting for contracts and transactions, or representation in business disputes. Many of our start-up clients are still with us years later, for consulting on contracts and transactions, or to handle business litigation.

Call 301-464-1400 or contact us online to arrange a consultation. We promptly respond to all inquiries.