Incorporation in Virginia

Find the right Business Incorporation attorney in Fairfax, VA

By Virginia law, a business that has incorporated is recognized thereafter as its own legal entity. This means that the business may buy or sell property, offer and accept contracts and exercise legal rights in its own name. In Virginia, the process of incorporation is begun by filing with the Secretary of State in accordance with certain guidelines.

Benefits of Incorporation in Virginia

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. With unincorporated businesses, personal property of owners can be liquidated in order to satisfy the liabilities of the business. Furthermore, banks in the Fairfax area prefer to evaluate the credit worthiness of a business as a whole rather than that of individual owners. This makes the process of obtaining corporate loans simpler. Finally, the ownership of a corporation is divided into an abundance of equal portions or "shares" of stock. Without this mechanism, transferring ownership of a business would be impractical.

Costs of Incorporation

These advantages come at a price. First, incorporation in Virginia may require a filing fee. Second, a corporation pays taxes just like any other entity. The incomes of owners as individuals are also taxed of course, meaning that income to the corporation may be subject to double taxation. However, this disadvantage can be avoided with proper planning and help from a local Fairfax lawyer.

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Life in Fairfax

Fairfax, Virginia is the county seat of Fairfax County. However, it is an independent city, so it is not technically part of the county in which it is physically located, but is a separate legal entity, over which the county doesn't exercise jurisdiction. It has a population of about 24,000 people. Fairfax, Virginia is part of the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, and is generally considered a suburb of Washington, D.C. Fairfax is a popular place to live for people who have jobs in D.C., and given the large number of government and private-sector jobs in the Washington, D.C. area, Fairfax is a place that many professionals who are currently having trouble finding work are considering relocating to. Old town Fairfax recently underwent a major redevelopment, adding a new public library, along with tens of thousands of square feet of new retail and restaurant space, and nearly 100 upscale condominium units. There are many lawyers in and around Fairfax, Virginia. A good Fairfax, Virginia lawyer can make it infinitely easier to deal with just about any legal issue a person might face. If you or a loved one needs any legal assistance whatsoever, regardless of the reason, you shouldn't hesitate to contact a Fairfax, Virginia attorney.

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