The legal business form of the LLC, or Limited Liability Company, offers the benefits of several other traditional business forms. An LLC has the same advantage of limited liability that a corporation does, but without being taxed as its own entity. Instead, it's taxed more similarly to a sole proprietorship or partnership. Like a corporation, a LLC can have unlimited shareholders, called members. But a key difference is if one of these shareholders dies or files for bankruptcy, the LLC is dissolved and will stop operations unless the remaining members form a new LLC. For hundreds of years, limited liability has been a primary goal of some business forms, but since the Maryland legislature enacted laws authorizing its formation, the modern LLC has become more and more popular.

Can My Business Be Formed as an LLC?

Businesses in Maryland can organize using whatever form they choose. The office of the Secretary of State is the organization that accepts filings by those who want to open LLC's. However, there may be an additional fee required for forming your LLC, determined by Maryland laws that govern the formation and actions of LLC's. When deciding whether to form a LLC, you should consider which laws would apply to your company. Although it may take some time to find, choosing the right business structure for your company will lead to increased profitability.

Can I Change the Form of My Business to an LLC?

Businesses in Anne Arundel County may change their forms in particular circumstances. Whether a business may convert to a LLC or not is determined by Maryland law.

How Can an Attorney Help?

A lawyer versed in Maryland business law will be able to advise you of the benefits and costs for forming and maintaining a LLC.