In this guide, we will review the pros and cons of forming a family limited liability company.
To conduct business in states that allow LLCs, a family limited liability company (LLC) is formed by family members. Members must be relatives by birth, adoption, or marriage. The family LLC is a popular technique to safeguard the assets of a family business against lawsuits from creditors, divide revenue among generations, and so on. It’s similar to a corporation that is closed.
Family LLC Formation
LLC managers are extremely powerful, so before selecting a person to fill the position, it’s best to consider all of the options. Too much power in the wrong hands will be the worse thing that can ever happen to your business. When it’s time to decide on a manager-managed or a member-managed, you’ll need to file for the articles of organization.
Family LLC Cost
It’s difficult to start a family LLC, and keeping one running is expensive and time-consuming. A legal professional with expertise in creating family firms is required. Of course, while not required, it’s always a plus if the attorney is also knowledgeable about the company.
The cost of legal services may vary from $3,000 to over $10,000, depending on the complexity of the case. Other expenditures that a family LLC might anticipate include annual meetings and expenses associated with quarterly tax filings, which must be done on a quarterly basis.
Check out Go Virtu’s on what’s an LLC guide
Asset Protection
A family limited liability company (LLC), as previously stated, is an excellent device to protect family assets from creditors’ claims. The debt obligation of the LLC is limited by each member’s financial contribution.
By permitting creditors to seize frozen assets, the operating agreement may prevent members from withdrawing and reclaiming their interests in the firm, which can be claimed by creditors.
Other conditions, such as the lack of specific members’ powers to vote or remove management, limit creditors’ authority to disrupt LLC operations and seize assets.
Estate Planning
In addition to commercial functions, family LLCs are frequently used in estate planning. A family LLC may assist you to manage and safeguarding assets during your life, keeping assets within the family, and minimizing taxes owed by you or family members throughout your lifetime or after your death.
Family LLCs vs. Corporations
A family LLC, like a corporation, protects its members from liability. Personal assets such as bank accounts and houses are protected from legal claims against the company.
However, when it comes to how the company will be run and taxed, there are significant distinctions. A business is a legal entity in which people own shares and have the right to participate when making decisions, such as hiring or firing employees. It can be incorporated in Nevada or another state that permits LLCs. In contrast, a family LLC allows you to pick how the company will be taxed and run.
For example, a family LLC may choose pass. To operate a business, a corporation (corporation definition) must pick a board of directors from the group that has been nominated by the owners. Members of an LLC, on the other hand, may choose to run it themselves.
Family LLCs vs. Partnerships
In comparison to a partnership, a family LLC offers more flexibility in management and structure. However, if asset protection is just as essential to your company’s success as flexibility, a family LLC may be preferable to a general partnership or family limited partnership.
Family limited partnerships and other similar structures, such as family limited partnerships, do not provide the same level of asset protection as a family LLC. Here’s what you need to know about liability and asset protection when it comes to partnerships.
A partner’s liability level is determined by the sort of partnership. The most dangerous for business debts belong to a general partner, who carries unlimited responsibility, allowing creditors of the firm to go after his or her personal assets if the company is unable to pay its obligations.
A limited partner is in a better position than a general one since he or she enjoys limited liability. Limited liability ensures that the limited partner’s personal assets cannot be used to pay business liabilities.
A general partnership, which is made up of only general partners, offers the least amount of asset protection. A family limited partnership provides liability protection for its restricted partners, but it must have at least one general partner who is exposed to unlimited liability.
The family LLC, on the other hand, protects each member’s individual property. Only the family LLC (assets owned by the company) will be held responsible for judgments and creditor demands against it.
The Bottom Line
It’s a good idea to consult an attorney before creating a family LLC if you want to protect a family business from creditors or third-party claims, or for estate planning purposes. The legal intricacies of forming a family company must be handled by an attorney who is knowledgeable about family businesses. In order to fulfill legal obligations, family LLCs should be.