Incorporation in California

Find the right Business Incorporation attorney in Whittier, CA

California law allows a business to incorporate and be recognized as its own legal entity. After incorporation, buying and selling property, assenting to contracts and exercising legal rights are considered acts of the business itself and not its owners. The office of the Secretary of State is the agency that receives applications for incorporation in California, and they must be completed in conformity with particular guidelines.

Benefits of Incorporation in California

Advantages of incorporation are many. The primary benefit is that the liabilities of the business can only be satisfied by the assets specifically invested into the company by the owners. With unincorporated businesses, personal property of owners can be liquidated in order to satisfy the liabilities of the business. A corporation may also find it easier to finance itself through loans, allowing creditors in the Whittier area to evaluate their investment by assessing the corporation rather than the individual credit-worthiness of its owners. Finally, ownership of a corporation is divided into equal portions or "shares" of stock, which may be bought and sold much more easily than the ownership of an unincorporated business.

Costs of Incorporation

Incorporation can be costly. First, a modest filing fee may be charged in California for any business that wants to incorporate. Also, a corporation is taxed as its own entity. In other words, the profits a corporation makes are now taxed separately, while any disbursements to shareholders are taxed as individual income. This is called double taxation. However, a business may avoid this disadvantage with proper planning and assistance from a local Whittier lawyer.

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Life in Whittier

Whittier is located in Los Angeles County in the state of California. About 12 miles away from Los Angeles, Whittier is a favored commuter city with its bustling economic and residential scene. Whittier, California was named after John Greenleeaf Whittier, a famous poet. The city has over 85,000 residents and was first incorporated in 1898.

Whittier, California is an excellent city for recreation and leisure activities. The city maintains an extensive recreation department that offers youth sports, adult instructional courses, and senior activities. Shopping is excellent in places like the Whittwood Town Center, which is a mall featuring various national retail stores. In addition, the city of Whittier places much emphasis on the development of cultural arts in the city, with projects like the Whittier Cultural Arts Foundation, Art in Public Places, and the Community Arts Coalition.

With its rich history, Whittier, California is also known for its high concentration of historic landmarks, registered both nationally and with the state of California. In particular, the Pio Pico State Historic Park is a well-frequented site, as well as the Whittier Museum. Whittier College is also located in the city and is one of the major employers for the region.

Lawyers in Whittier, California serve the community by offering legal services in a diverse range of fields. Whittier lawyers typically file lawsuits at the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles. Experienced lawyers in Whittier can help address legal inquires and provide representation in court.

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