Business Formation

Fort Mill, SC Business Formation Lawyer

Forming any new business entity involves work, time, and often significant expense. It’s an imperative yet grueling journey to start a business. Before you begin, however, it’s essential to be aware of all the legal requirements specific to your region and the type of business entity you intend to create. Missing these legal requirements can be costly and dramatically delay your timelines. To ensure that you start on the right foot, or as a review of where you stand now, it is recommended that you work with an experienced Fort Mill business formation attorney.

Fort Mill Commercial Real Estate Attorney Offers Business Formation Legal Support

At Mack & Mack Attorneys, we have built our law firm in direct alignment with the expertise, knowledge, and personal service you require in a business formation law firm. Our goal is to establish long-term client relationships while providing peace of mind and assurance that your business formation matters are in the best of hands. Our legal support can help ensure that your business formation is legal and correct and avoid the most common pitfalls that often leave new businesses vulnerable. To safeguard your new company in the Fort Mill area, give our business formation attorneys a call to discuss exactly how we can help.

What Types of Business Can I Form in South Carolina?

If you are forming a business in South Carolina, several forms of business entities are available. The entity you start will depend on the structure you want for your company, the number of owners you have, and many other factors. The most common business structures in South Carolina are:

• One of the most common business entities in South Carolina, corporations are required to have a board of directors, stockholders, and registered agents. A corporation can be either domestic or foreign. A South Carolina corporation charter must also have a registered agent, but it is not required to have officers.
• Limited liability companies are popular choices for many entrepreneurs because they offer owners the benefits of partnerships and corporations with limited liability but with less formalities. An LLC can have one or more members, but it must be registered with the Secretary of State’s office to become official in South Carolina.
• General partnerships. Any number of people who wish to involve themselves in an unincorporated business can form a general partnership. This structure does not have shareholders or officers and may be registered with the Secretary of State.
• Limited partnerships. This structure is ideal for someone looking to raise capital for their business, as it is reserved only for companies that handle specific investments or securities. Like a general partnership, it has no shareholders or officers, but it must be registered with the Secretary of State.
• Sole proprietorships: People who work alone can operate as sole proprietorships. This structure is beneficial because it doesn’t require special registration or annual filings but can expose the individual to unwanted liability.

These are all very different and significant business structures, and we highly recommend consulting with a Fort Mill business formation attorney to better understand each one.

What to Look for in a Business Formation Attorney

The quality of your business formation attorney will directly impact the success and future of your company. There are several things you should look for when hiring an attorney, including:

1. Location. Try to find a lawyer based in your business area. If you form a corporation or LLC in South Carolina, it will be governed by South Carolina law. If you form a business in North Carolina, for instance, that company will be subject to North Carolina law. Choosing an attorney based in the community where you plan to form your company will ensure that they understand state and local regulations.
2. Experience. Your business formation attorney should have ample experience in business law, such as forming and operating LLCs, corporations, and partnerships.
3. Services. The attorney you choose should be able to provide a full range of services, such as company registration and maintenance, incorporating foreign entities in South Carolina, and real estate transactions.
4. Price. The cost of hiring a lawyer for help with business formation should not be the main reason you find representation; however, it is important to determine the fees before you engage the firm’s services. You should also look into what will happen if additional services are needed in the future, as this could affect your budget.

Ensuring at least these four things will help you find the best business formation attorney for your needs.

Do I Need to Obtain a Permit or License for My New Business?

If you plan to operate a business in South Carolina, you need to obtain all necessary licenses and permits at the outset. This will save you time and money later, as you won’t have to worry about fines or penalties for operating without the proper paperwork. These licenses and permits may include:

• Business license
• Occupational license or permit
• Sales and use tax permit
• Alcoholic Beverage Control permit
• Business property certification
• Environmental health registration
• Retail food establishment permit
• Waste hauler license

Working with a Fort Mill business formation attorney is vital to ensure that you obtain all the necessary business licenses and permits under state law to keep you in compliance with the law.

Questions You Should Ask a Prospective Business Formation Attorney

As you begin to interview potential business formation attorneys, there are several questions you should ask them to ensure that they are the right attorney for your needs.

• How long have you been practicing business law?
• What is your experience with business formation, specifically in the area where I plan to operate?
• How much will this service cost me? Can you give me a price range?
• Will I need to hire additional lawyers or experts in the future?
• How will you keep me updated on my business formation as we progress?
• What other essential information should I know before hiring you as my attorney?

You can find a qualified commercial business formation attorney who will help you file the proper paperwork to get your company started by asking these questions.

Connect With Mack & Mack Attorneys Today for Business Formation Support

The business formation experts at Mack & Mack Attorneys are ready to get your business up and running. So do not delay reaching your new business dream any longer. Contact us today, and let’s discuss how you can get started.