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Set up your business with an operating agreement.
An LLC operating agreement creates a management structure for partners and business owners. Learn what is commonly in an operating agreement and why every LLC usually needs one.
What is an operating agreement?
An operating agreement is a document used by limited liability companies (LLCs) to define roles, responsibilities, and liabilities for the business. This includes basic information for the LLC, such as the business address and contact information for each partner. It also outlines how much each partner owns, what happens if a new partner joins the organization, and what steps to take if a partner wants to exit the LLC. Operating agreements also sketch out how the LLC will be managed at a high level. They provide liability protection and include specific needs for the LLC.
Operating agreements aren’t just for multimember LLCs and large organizations. Even small businesses and single-member LLCs can benefit from having written bylaws. Often, if an LLC does not have a written operating agreement at the time of LLC formation, then the company would look to its state default rules. Operating agreements vary in structure and tend to be anywhere from 10–20 pages long.
How to write an operating agreement.
Operating agreements usually include:
- Business name
- Information about the articles of organization
- Duration of the LLC
- Business address and other relevant contact information
- Name and address of the registered agent
- Purpose of the business
- Name of the initial members
- Amount of initial capital contribution of each member
- Ownership percentage of each member
- Ownership interest of each member
- A framework for accepting new members, usually through capital contributions
- How members receive profits and losses each year
- How taxes are distributed and allocated
- A plan for how the LLC will be managed, including how to handle decision-making and voting rights of the partners
- How to leave the LLC
- A way to end the LLC, if necessary
- A liability clause
Why you may want an operating agreement.
Operating agreements allow the partners of an LLC to run their business the way they want rather than to adhere to a state’s preexisting framework for running an LLC. Operating agreements ensure that all parties document their roles and responsibilities, define what to do in given situations, and record know how much each partner own of the business. Having this information in writing enables parties to have a common understanding to refer to. With the new contracts experience from Acrobat AI Assistant, your work with contracts can be made simple with one easy app.
Operating agreements can also be useful if there’s a dispute among the partners. They often provide a framework for how to resolve a disagreement. Whether there are disputes or not, operating agreements help businesses avoid confusion about who is responsible for what and describe what steps to take in certain situations.
State laws and operating agreements.
When you create an operating agreement, familiarize yourself with your state’s default operating laws, how your state handles partner disputes, and any other relevant compliance issues you may face. Check with your state’s business division to see if you are meeting all legal requirements. Business divisions are usually, but not always, part of the Secretary of State’s office.
U.S. states generally don’t require you to file an operating agreement with the state, but LLCs do need documentation, either their own agreement or a state’s preexisting framework, that outlines rights and responsibilities. Every business entity, even one as small as a sole proprietorship, can benefit from protections from risks like personal liability and a roadmap for events like buyouts.
To learn more about your legal rights and responsibilities when you create an operating agreement, consult an business attorney who specializes in your local laws for advice.
Make better operating agreements with e-documents.
With electronic signatures, partners can collect written agreement from members of an LLC quickly and efficiently. Electronic signatures are binding and enforceable in all American states and territories, as well as many other countries across the globe.
Manage and amend existing agreements with Adobe Acrobat Pro.
Operating agreements may also change over time as members’ ownership or interest shifts over the course of the business’s lifetime.
Learn how to update, amend, and keep track of agreements while tracking transaction-specific information.
Annotate and personalize transactions.
Sometimes transactions need additional context. Find out how to add a note with a signature and manage your remarks on an agreement.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Adobe does not and cannot provide legal, financial, accounting or any other related professional advice. Laws and regulations frequently change. You should consult an attorney, accountant, or other appropriate professional advisor regarding questions specific to your situation. To the maximum extent permitted by law, Adobe provides this material on an “as is” basis. Adobe disclaims and makes no representation or warranty of any kind with respect to this material, express, implied, or statutory, including representations, guarantees, or warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or accuracy.
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Set up your business with an operating agreement.
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A business owner sitting at their desk reviewing an operating agreement for their business
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