While an LLC operating agreement is not required in Florida, it’s important to draft one. It will establish how the LLC is managed and set out clear rules that members can adhere to in the future.
An agreement also separates personal assets from business transactions and may help qualify the entity for tax benefits. It will include the LLC’s management structure, like member-managed or manager-managed.
Purpose
An LLC operating agreement is an internal document that details how a company will be managed and operated. It includes information such as how decision-making will be handled, how profits and losses will be distributed, how members can transfer ownership interest, and how the company will be dissolved. This type of document provides legal protection for members and may help the company secure loans or investors by demonstrating that it is well-organized.
It also helps preserve the company’s limited liability status by showing that the company is truly a separate business entity. Without an operating agreement, the company would rely on state law to determine how it is run. This could lead to costly litigation down the road. The operating agreement will specify how the company will be managed and by whom.
Members
In a multi-member Florida LLC, an operating agreement activates a lawful commitment concerning several aspects of a company with more than one owner. The document outlines how profits will be distributed, the management structure and tax responsibilities. Additionally, the document details how any transfer or assignment of ownership interests can occur.
The document may also establish whether an LLC will be member-managed or manager-managed. If the company is member-managed, the members take responsibility for managing the business and deciding how things work.
An operating agreement also helps members prove ownership of the company when applying for business permits or opening bank accounts. Having an agreement in place will help avoid misunderstandings and prevent personal assets from being used to pay for company debts. The document is not required by law, but it is strongly recommended.
Management
A multi-member Florida LLC operating agreement can help define several aspects of a company that is owned by more than one party. In addition to establishing the ownership percentage of each party, it can also describe management structure and procedures.
It can specify how profits or losses are distributed to members, how an LLC can obtain financing, and how a member can transfer their interest in the LLC. It can also establish legal protections that will prevent an individual’s personal assets from being used to pay company debts.
An operating agreement does not need to be filed with the state of Florida, but it is a good idea to draft one and keep it with business records. It should be updated after any major changes in the company.
Dissolution
Although Florida law does not require LLCs to have an operating agreement, one can save time and legal costs by using a written document. The absence of an operating agreement can lead to misunderstandings, conflicts and disagreements.
A written Florida LLC operating agreement can also help protect members’ personal assets. The document can establish procedures for distributing profits and managing the business. It can also provide protections against liability issues by separating members’ personal assets from the company’s debts.
An operating agreement should include the following information:
Governing law
A lawyer-drafted operating agreement provides clarity on how your business is to be operated and managed. Without an operating agreement in place, the state’s default rules set forth in the Florida Revised Limited Liability Company Act would govern how your LLC must be conducted.
It can help you avoid misunderstandings among members and it will show that your personal assets are separate from your company’s. It can also protect you from being sued, and it can prove that your company’s tax status is correct should a dispute arise. It should include the full legal name of your LLC as it appears on the Articles of Organization filed with the state. It should also include the percentage of ownership each member holds. It should describe the management structure – either a member-managed or manager-managed entity.