Start at the beginning—or jump in where you are
The LLC Roadmap
Seven clear stages take you from deciding whether an LLC fits through forming, setting up, operating and protecting it. Open one stage at a time so you only see what matters now.
Choose your starting point
Where are you in your LLC journey?
If you are starting from scratch, begin with Step 1. Already formed? Jump to Step 5. Considering a holding company? Step 4 is an optional branch—not a requirement for every owner.
Decide Whether an LLC Is Right
Start with the purpose—not the paperwork. Compare the LLC with the practical alternatives and understand what liability protection can and cannot do.
- ✓ LLC vs. sole proprietorship and corporation
- ✓ Liability protection and its limits
- ✓ Business risk, assets and ownership
Choose the State and Structure
Compare your home state with Wyoming and Delaware, then decide how the LLC should be owned and managed.
- ✓ Home state vs. Wyoming or Delaware
- ✓ Foreign registration and added costs
- ✓ Member-managed vs. manager-managed
Form the LLC
Choose the name and registered agent, prepare the formation document and file in the state you selected.
- ✓ Business-name availability
- ✓ Registered-agent choice
- ✓ Articles or certificate of organization
Consider a Holding Company
Use this optional branch when separate ownership layers could serve a real asset-protection, organizational or investment purpose.
- ✓ When a holding company may help
- ✓ New entities vs. existing LLCs
- ✓ Wyoming vs. Delaware holding company
Set Up the LLC After Approval
Turn the state filing into a functioning company with the right documents, tax account, bank account, funding and initial records.
- ✓ Operating agreement
- ✓ EIN and tax setup
- ✓ Separate business bank account
Operate the LLC Properly
Keep finances and records clean, sign in the LLC's name, pay owners correctly and evaluate the available tax elections.
- ✓ Fund the LLC correctly
- ✓ Pay yourself based on tax treatment
- ✓ Bookkeeping, contracts and signatures
Protect, Maintain and Grow
Keep the LLC in good standing and use insurance, contracts, compliance and good operating practices alongside the liability shield.
- ✓ Annual reports and state compliance
- ✓ Maintain legal and financial separation
- ✓ Business insurance and contracts
Not sure where to begin?
Start with the formation decisions.
The first three steps help you decide whether to use an LLC, where and how to structure it, and how to complete the filing.
Keep the steps organized
Get the Free LLC Startup Checklist.
Use it alongside the Roadmap before formation and after approval.
Get the Free Checklist →