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Georgia Business Formation Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Business Formation and Business Law for Georgia on
Q: I want to change the name of the organizer in my business
Glenn M. Lyon
Glenn M. Lyon
answered on Jan 23, 2023

You cannot retroactively change the name of the organizer once the entity is filed with the secretary of state. However, keep in mind that "organizer" does not mean that person is actually an owner of the company. It is simply the person or entity that files the articles.

1 Answer | Asked in Business Formation and Business Law for Georgia on
Q: What's the order of the steps to revoke S-Corp election and change from partnership LLC to Single member LLC in Georgia?

I opened a LLC in Georgia in 2014 with 2 members in the Articles of organization, me and my spouse. I also elected for an S-Corp status (2553 & 8832) the same year. Now I want to revoke the S-Corp election AND also convert the multi member LLC to a single member LLC (my spouse will no longer be... Read more »

Glenn M. Lyon
Glenn M. Lyon
answered on Oct 11, 2022

No. There is no form to change to a single member LLC. You just transfer the membership interests to you from your spouse. And you do not need to record anything or file anything with the SOS unless you included ownership in the Articles of Organization.

1 Answer | Asked in Business Formation and Business Law for Georgia on
Q: For part 9, if the business rents the property, does it then need to register as a foreign LLC?

I am wondering if buying and renting residential property in GA means the out of state LLC needs to register as a foreign LLC in GA. No other business will be conducted outside of renting to tenants in the state of GA.

Glenn M. Lyon
Glenn M. Lyon
answered on Aug 16, 2022

Simply owning the property would not require foreign entity registration, but if the LLC rents out the property it would be deemed to be conducting business in Georgia and would be required to register with the Georgia Secretary of State.

1 Answer | Asked in Business Formation, Business Law, Car Accidents and Civil Litigation for Georgia on
Q: i am looking into a business running a food /ice cream truck w/ hemp derived edibles.what are steps to take to protectit

i want to know what disclaimers i need for if they leave after an edible and go wreck a car then try to blame me for it or things of that nature. any other answers would be greatly appreciated. i want to be 100% legal with everything and turn this into an experience

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Apr 20, 2023

A Georgia attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for three weeks. Your question covers lots of ground - type of business structure, insurance, etc. - and it might be difficult to obtain meaningful guidance in the brief format of a Q & A forum. One option is to think about a... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Business Formation for Georgia on
Q: Will a lawyer help file paperwork to convert a foreign LLC to a domesticated LLC?

Paperwork includes certificate of conversion, and articles of organization

Glenn M. Lyon
Glenn M. Lyon
answered on Apr 14, 2023

Yes. While not an overly complicated process, it needs to be done correctly.

1 Answer | Asked in Business Formation for Georgia on
Q: DBA or forming a new business with a friend?...the members of the llc being our own individual llcs we own

Will be investing into real estate next year with a friend. We both have our own separate LLCs that have been established over two years and have business credit. The problem is...the names of the companies aren't geared toward the business venture we are looking to do now (real estate). We... Read more »

Glenn M. Lyon
Glenn M. Lyon
answered on Dec 7, 2022

Based on your posting forming a new LLC to operate the joint venture is likely to be the best option, so you might as well use the right business name to avoid having to register a trade name.

1 Answer | Asked in Business Formation and Business Law for Georgia on
Q: If I form a Domestic LLC named "XYZ Co. LLC" do I need to file a DBA with my county to advertise as simply "XYZ Co."?

The Domestic LLC will officially be registered with the GA Secretary of State as "XYZ Co. LLC". I'm just trying to find out if I'm required to file for a DBA/Trade Name to drop the LLC portion for any kind of advertising or just reference to the company in general.

Glenn M. Lyon
Glenn M. Lyon
answered on Nov 16, 2022

Generally, just dropping the company designation (LLC or Inc.) does not require a trade name registration.

1 Answer | Asked in Business Formation for Georgia on
Q: Is my side business (or coffee table) safe from my full time job’s NDA?

I do a side business inventing and making products within a specific industry. My full time job wants me to sign an nda Claiming ownership of products and intellectual property made or invented during time of employment and “relating in any way to employers business”. The two industries are... Read more »

Glenn M. Lyon
Glenn M. Lyon
answered on Nov 4, 2022

It really depends on the exact terms of the agreement and the specific facts of your side business. Have a business attorney review it and advise you accordingly.

1 Answer | Asked in Business Formation and Business Law for Georgia on
Q: Should I create a Trust to control a C-Corp to control an LLC?

I've been researching the best way to set up business entities and this is the conclusion I have come to. Is this an appropriate structure? Thank you

Glenn M. Lyon
Glenn M. Lyon
answered on Sep 30, 2022

Almost certainly not, unless this is a larger organization.

1 Answer | Asked in Business Formation for Georgia on
Q: can the seller of a llc buy back 50% from the buyer in exchange for running it and now capital
Glenn M. Lyon
Glenn M. Lyon
answered on Aug 15, 2022

Only if the parties agree on the terms or the original purchase agreement permits the seller to do so.

1 Answer | Asked in Business Formation for Georgia on
Q: How to file a Amendment of articles of organization when of the member is voluntary withdrawal from partnership?
Glenn M. Lyon
Glenn M. Lyon
answered on Mar 9, 2022

First, if you have filed articles of organization it is an LLC and not a partnership. And only if the articles list the members (owners) of the company would you need to amend them. (Listing the members is not required and is uncommon.) If they do, you can find instructions on the Georgia... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Business Formation for Georgia on
Q: I am not changing the name of organization, I just want to add additional members to the org, which I forgot initially.

Is there a sample document you can provide please? I have submitted the document with all those details, Article One, Two and Three, but my application got rejected. Is Articles Of Amendment must? how should it look like? Is attaching Operating Agreement enough?

Glenn M. Lyon
Glenn M. Lyon
answered on Jan 10, 2022

Unless your current Articles of Organization list the members of the LLC you do not need to amend them. You just need to issue membership interests to the new members and have them sign a new operating agreement. However, the operating agreement should be drafted by an attorney since you will now... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Tax Law, Business Formation and Business Law for Georgia on
Q: Is it correct that my fitness franchise that I am opening in GA will have sales & use tax?

Business is a franchise I have purchased from franchisor. Products are: monthly memberships for personal training service, the occasional apparel sale, beverage sales (bottled water, etc.), and nutritional supplements (sold online). I will have personal trainers who are my employees. I'm... Read more »

Glenn M. Lyon
Glenn M. Lyon
answered on Jan 5, 2022

Yes, for both the services and products.

1 Answer | Asked in Business Formation and Business Law for Georgia on
Q: I am looking for the Statute that designates what financial documents are required to be given to an investor.

My investor is asking, aggressively, for my businesses bank statements and I don’t believe that this is documentation he is entitled to.

Cory D. Raines
Cory D. Raines
answered on Oct 3, 2021

Depending on what type of investment opportunity you are offering will determine whether state, federal, or both laws apply. If federal, then securities laws outlined in the Securities Act of 1933 and 1934 as well as regulations provided by the Security and Exchange Commission will apply.... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Business Formation and Business Law for Georgia on
Q: Can i sue someone that ripped me off by putting money into there account for a buisness and they took off with the money

They are not giving me my money back out of the account and not allowing me to be apart of it

Cory D. Raines
Cory D. Raines
answered on Oct 3, 2021

Assuming that this person had an agreement with you to provide a good or service in exchange for your payment, then you likely have a claim against that person. These claims could include but are not limited to breach of contract, fraud, and unjust enrichment.

Depending on the underlying...
Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Business Formation, Business Law and Trademark for Georgia on
Q: I am trying to create a subsidiary brand in Georgia. Where do I do this?

For example Coke makes brands like Sprite and Fanta. Their the same soda brand that have different soda. That’s what I am trying to accomplish. I have an LLC already in Georgia. Do I just make buy another LLC? Is there like a box I fill out out under my already owned LLC?

Marcos Garciaacosta
Marcos Garciaacosta
answered on Aug 3, 2021

You do not need any more LLCs

You need to register the brands to get protection against others who would want to use the same name

You need to consult with an attorney

1 Answer | Asked in Business Formation for Georgia on
Q: Can I have one parent company and multiple DBAs?

I have two small businesses that are home-based. I would like to get one business to act as a parent company to the other small businesses we create.

Cory D. Raines
Cory D. Raines
answered on Jul 5, 2021

Good question and yes you can create multiple doing business as (DBAs) registered to a single LLC. However, you will run the risk or exposing yourself to liability by keeping all your eggs in one basket, because a claim against one DBA will be a claim against all them. It is wise to create... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Business Formation, Business Law, Civil Litigation and Contracts for Georgia on
Q: I signed a partnership agreement to start a new company. How do I back out before it gets started?

I signed a agreement to start a company. Nothing has been filed/registered/, the business does not yet exist. How do I back out of the agreement? I no longer have the financial assets to start one. My “partner” claims he signed the agreement thinking it was an already existing company. However... Read more »

Michael D. Birchmore
Michael D. Birchmore
answered on Jun 3, 2021

Honestly? Anytime a person engages in drafting their own legal documents without the aid of an experienced attorney, that person has made a mistake. You should meet with a business attorney now to see what, if anything, you are now facing that will be harmful to you and whether it can be... Read more »

3 Answers | Asked in Business Formation, Business Law and Civil Litigation for Georgia on
Q: LLC is joined as Third Party Defendant in a counterclaim lawsuit, LLC is served with process, does LLC have to Answer?

In other words, please confirm if an LLC who was properly served with process to the registered agent (who is not an attorney) by court order, needs to hire an Attorney to "Answer" a counterclaim lawsuit as a Third Party Defendant. And please confirm if there is any Georgia State law... Read more »

Joshua Adam Davis
Joshua Adam Davis
answered on Mar 27, 2021

Under federal and Georgia law, a limited liability company must retain an attorney to appear on its behalf and represent it in court.

As always, you should have a confidential discussion with an attorney who can thoroughly explore the facts of your situation, as there is some ambiguity in...
Read more »

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