BUSINESS OWNERS · NEW YORK
Business Formation &
Ownership Agreements
Put your ownership terms in writing from the start. We prepare operating agreements, shareholder agreements, and buyout or equity transfer documents for New York business owners.
First 30 minutes free · Scope and fee confirmed in a written engagement letter · English · 中文
WHY IT MATTERS
Clear agreements first,
fewer disagreements later
Co-owners usually agree on the big picture when they start. The details come later: who makes which decisions, what each owner is responsible for, and what happens when someone wants to leave. Those are easier to settle at the beginning, while everyone is on the same page.
A written agreement records ownership percentages, responsibilities, decision-making, transfers and exits, and the steps owners agree to follow if they disagree. It gives each owner something concrete to rely on.
WHAT WE DO
What We Prepare
Each service is scoped on its own. None is automatically included in another, and we confirm exactly what you need on your free call.
01
Business formation
Setting up your business entity, along with the organizational documents and ownership arrangements that go with it. LLC or corporation, $499 flat fee, plus the state filing fee (see below).
02
Operating agreements
For LLCs. Sets out each member's ownership interest, who manages the business, how decisions are made, and the rights and obligations of the members.
03
Shareholder agreements
For corporations. Covers ownership rights, governance, voting, transfers of shares, and other protections the shareholders agree on.
04
Partner buyouts & equity transfers
Documents for a buyout between co-owners, or a transfer of equity to a new or existing owner, so the change in ownership is clear and in writing.
COMMON SITUATIONS
When business owners need these documents
- You are starting a business with a partner, friend or family member.
- You are bringing in a new co-owner or an investor.
- One owner wants to leave, retire, or sell their share to the others.
- You are buying a business with partners and need to agree on ownership first.
- Ownership percentages or roles are changing.
- You have been running on a handshake, or on an old template that no longer fits.
PRICING
Pick what you need
Form an LLC or a corporation for one flat fee, or get an ownership agreement for a business you already have. Every cost is shown before you pay.
LLC formation
- Name availability check
- Articles of Organization prepared and filed
- Federal EIN (tax ID) application
- Filing receipt and certified copy
Corporation (Inc.)
- Name availability check
- Certificate of Incorporation prepared and filed
- Federal EIN (tax ID) application
- Filing receipt and certified copy
- No newspaper publication required
Ownership agreement
- Operating agreement for an LLC
- Shareholder agreement for a corporation
- Ownership, management, voting, transfers and exits
- Add it to a new formation, or use it for a business you already own
Licensed professional? Doctors, dentists, accountants, architects and other licensed professionals set up a PLLC or professional corporation, which needs licensing-board approval first. We quote these individually after a free call.
ADD-ONS
Add only what you need
Each add-on has its own fixed price. Third-party costs are separate and listed below.
| ADD-ON | OUR FEE |
|---|---|
| LLC publication handlingNew York requires every new LLC to publish a notice in two newspapers within 120 days. We arrange it, file the Certificate of Publication, and keep the certified copy. LLCs only. | $300 |
| DBA (assumed name) filingName check, filing and certified copy, so you can operate under a trade name. | $199 |
| Corporate records setBylaws, organizational minutes, share certificates and stock ledger, customized to your owners. Recommended for every new corporation. | $300 |
Need an operating or shareholder agreement with your new business? Add it from $1,000 (see Ownership agreement above). Bundle an LLC, a business purchase and a lease and save 10% on our fee.
NO SURPRISES
Costs that aren't ours
State and newspaper charges are passed through at actual cost with no markup, and held in our escrow account until paid out.
| STATE FEE (NY DEPARTMENT OF STATE) | AMOUNT |
|---|---|
| LLC: Articles of Organization, including certified copy | $210 |
| LLC: Certificate of Publication | $50 |
| Corporation: Certificate of Incorporation, including certified copy | $135 |
| Certified copy of any other filed document | $10 each |
| DBA: Certificate of Assumed Name and certified copy | $35 |
Newspaper publication (LLCs only), paid at cost before we submit
Estimates only. The county clerk designates the newspapers, and we quote the exact charge before anything is submitted.
What it adds up to
Add an ownership agreement (from $1,000) to any of the above. Estimates, not a quote. Your final scope and fee go in your written engagement letter.
OUR PROCESS
What happens after you call us
01
Free call
Tell us about the business and the owners. The first 30 minutes are free and give you initial guidance.
02
Scope and fee in writing
We confirm which documents you need and the fee in an engagement letter before work begins.
03
Drafting
We prepare the documents around what you and your co-owners have agreed.
04
Review and signing
We walk you through the final terms so you know what you are signing.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Things people usually ask
Clear legal guidance regarding operating agreements, ownership rules, and our representation process before our consultation.
What is the difference between an operating agreement and a shareholder agreement?
An operating agreement is for an LLC and is signed by its members. A shareholder agreement is for a corporation and is signed by its shareholders. Both set out who owns what, how decisions are made, and what happens when ownership changes.
Do I need an operating agreement if my LLC has only one owner?
Possibly, yes. New York LLC Law section 417 requires an LLC to have a written operating agreement, signed by all members before, at the time of, or within 90 days after the articles of organization are filed. We can tell you what applies to your situation on the free call.
Who do you represent when there are several owners?
We confirm who our client is in writing before we start. Our firm never represents both sides of the same transaction. Where owners' interests differ, such as in a buyout, each side may want its own lawyer.
How much does it cost?
See the pricing section above for our published prices. For services without a published price, we confirm the fee in your written engagement letter before drafting begins. Third-party fees, such as state filing fees, are extra.
Is the first call really free?
Yes. The first 30 minutes are free and are meant for initial guidance. The call alone does not make us your lawyers. That starts when you sign an engagement letter.
Can you work with us in Chinese?
Yes. We serve clients in English and Mandarin Chinese.
Put your ownership terms in writing
Book a free 30-minute call. We will look at your situation and tell you which documents you need and how we would price them.
CONTACT
Tel: (212) 201-6134
Fax: (347) 516-0896
[email protected]
OFFICE HOURS
Monday - Friday: 9:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Saturday & Sunday: Closed
FLUSHING OFFICE
3609 Main Street, Suite 9A2
Flushing, NY 11354
MANHATTAN OFFICE
295 Madison Avenue, 12th Floor
New York, NY 10017
Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Contacting us or using this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Third-party fees are not included. Your scope of work and fee are confirmed in a written engagement letter. A written description of each advertised service is available on request.