Incorporation in South Carolina

Find the right Business Incorporation attorney in Beaufort, SC

Under South Carolina law, a business may incorporate. If it chooses to do so, it is thereafter recognized as its own legal entity. As a separate entity from the owners, the business is then considered to be functioning on its own when it buys and sells property, assents to contracts and exercises legal rights. A business seeking to incorporate in South Carolina must file with the Secretary of State in accordance with established guidelines.

Benefits of Incorporation in South Carolina

There are distinct benefits to incorporating a business. Most importantly, liabilities the business accrues may be satisfied only by assets that the owners have specifically invested in it. Had the business instead remained a collection of the owners' personal assets, the personal property of the stakeholders could be liquidated to pay the liabilities of the business, if it runs into financial problems. A corporation also allows creditors in the Beaufort area to assess the credit worthiness of the business as a whole rather than that of its owners, allowing the business to receive loans more easily. Lastly, a corporations charter requires that ownership be divided into stakes or "shares" of stock, all of equal size. This makes the process of transferring control much more practical.

Costs of Incorporation

There are costs associated with incorporation, both short and long term. First, businesses in South Carolina may be charged a fee to incorporate. Also, a corporation is taxed as its own entity. The individual incomes of the owners are still taxed also, and this can mean the same income is taxed twice, known as double taxation. With proper planning and assistance from a local Beaufort lawyer, you can avoid this disadvantage.

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Life in Beaufort

The city of Beaufort is the county seat of Beaufort County in South Carolina. Beaufort is situated on Port Royal Islands, in the Sea Islands and Lowcountry areas. Sometimes the city is confused with a city of the same name in North Carolina- the two have the same spelling but are pronounced differently.

Beaufort is known for its scenery and historic feel. Many of the buildings located there are done in antebellum style architecture. It is the second oldest city in the state and boasts a population of about 13,000. The downtown historic district is where much of the original Beaufort settlement can still be found. Other neighborhoods include the Pigeon Point, West End, Spanish Point, and Battery Creek areas.

Tourism has become the main focal point of the Beaufort economy. The city's hotel and bed breakfast scene thrives due to visitors seeking beach vacations, golfing areas, and watersport opportunities.

Lawyers in Beaufort usually visit the Beaufort Municipal Court when filing claims. Many Beaufort, South Carolina lawyers are members of the Beaufort County Bar Association as well as the South Carolina Bar Association. Beaufort lawyers specialize in a variety of legal fields and practices.

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