Taunton Business Formation Lawyers

Empowering Massachusetts’ Entrepreneurs Since 1994

Percy Law Group, PC is committed to facilitating new ventures and nurturing businesses on a strong foundation of entity formation, clear and concise contracts, and liability protection. Our ability to craft business structures according to the needs and goals of each business has allowed us to have a positive and far-reaching effect on businesses throughout Massachusetts.

One of the most important services we provide is the ability to foresee potential problems and opportunities before they arise—creating solutions that resolve future issues proactively. A good structure or partnership agreement ensures that you’ll be safe from liability while remaining agile enough to take advantage of new business opportunities quickly.

For help building your business with the strongest possible foundation, call our Taunton business formation attorneys at (508) 206-9900 for a consultation, or request an appointment online.

Different Formation Types & Their Advantages

How a business is structured under the law will determine your tax liability, your protection from creditors or lawsuits, and the cost of doing business in your state. An unnecessarily expensive formation type will drain your business of profits at the most vulnerable stage of its development, while a sloppy or thoughtless formation could leave you personally responsible for enormous business debts.

Understanding your business’ goals and needs is part of our research process, which allows us to prescribe the type of structure that best benefits your business.

• Basic formation types include the following characteristics:
• Sole proprietorship: The simplest and least expensive entity—has only 1 owner who is legally the same entity as the business. Your personal assets may be used to pay off business debt.
• Partnership: Requires a partnership contract. There is unlimited liability for both owners, and all profits and losses flows through the partnership. Profits and losses must be reported on each owner’s tax return.
• Limited liability partnership (LLP): Type of partnership that has similar tax benefits as an LLC, but is barred from having the corporation as the “owner.”
• Limited liability company (LLC): Need to file with Massachusetts. Offers limited liability protection to owners as the debts and accounts are “owned” by the LLC.
• Corporation: Most costly entity type; for C-corporations, all profits and losses are retained at the corporate level and are taxed as income. Corporate dividends to owners is also taxed as income. For S-corporations, profits and losses flow straight to the owners.

Each of these formation types can also be fortified with agreements and structures to protect yourself from creditors and litigation. It’s worth noting that businesses can also reorganize in order to address new market opportunities for stable growth. Whether you are a new venture or a small business looking to reorganize, our team is more than happy to help you find the solution that will achieve your goals.

Common Mistakes When Forming a Business

Starting a business is an exhilarating journey, but it's also fraught with potential pitfalls that can hinder your success if not properly navigated. Avoiding common mistakes during the formation process will lay a solid foundation for your enterprise. Here are some of the most frequent missteps entrepreneurs make when forming a business:

• Choosing the Wrong Business Structure: One of the most frequent errors is selecting a business structure that does not align with the company's objectives and needs. This mistake can impact everything from tax liability to personal asset protection.
• Neglecting to Draft a Clear Partnership Agreement: For partnerships, not having a well-drafted agreement can lead to disputes and misunderstandings about each partner's role and share of profits.
• Overlooking Required Licenses and Permits: Failure to obtain the necessary licenses and permits can result in fines, penalties, or even the forced closure of the business.
• Inadequate Funding: Underestimating the amount of capital required to launch and sustain the business can lead to financial difficulties and stunted growth.
• Failing to Protect Intellectual Property: Not securing patents, trademarks, or copyrights early can lead to legal battles and potential loss of business identity.
• Ignoring Employment Laws: Non-compliance with employment regulations may result in costly lawsuits and penalties.
• Poor Recordkeeping and Financial Management: Lack of systematic financial records can lead to tax issues and difficulty in measuring the business's success.
• Neglecting Insurance: Insufficient insurance coverage can leave the business vulnerable to significant risks and liabilities.
• Not Considering Scalability: Failing to plan for future growth can make it harder to adapt as the business evolves.

Our business formation attorneys can help new entrepreneurs avoid these common pitfalls by providing expert guidance tailored to their specific needs. We ensure that the chosen business structure aligns with both short-term objectives and long-term goals, reducing tax liability and maximizing personal asset protection.

Additionally, our attorneys can draft robust partnership agreements, assist in securing necessary licenses, and guide compliance with employment laws. With our experience in intellectual property rights and proper financial practices, we can help safeguard against potential legal issues, ensuring a strong foundation for future growth. By working with Percy Law Group, PC, entrepreneurs can navigate the complexities of starting a business with confidence and foresight, positioning themselves for success from the outset.

Discuss Your Goals in a Consultation. Our counsel can lay out the costs, benefits, and risks of your choices. Contact us at (508) 206-9900 or online today!