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Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement

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Member Managed Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement

This Agreement, dated , made and entered into between (Company), a limited liability company organized pursuant to the , hereinafter called the Company, , of , , of , and , of , hereinafter called the Members.

I. Definition of Terms

Unless the context otherwise requires, the terms defined in this Section I shall, for the purposes of this Agreement, have the following meanings:

A. Act means the , as amended from time to time.

B. Additional Members has the meaning set forth in Section XIII.

C. Affiliate means, with respect to a specified Person, any Person that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the specified Person.

D. Agreement means this Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Company, as amended, modified, supplemented or restated from time to time.

E. Capital Account means, with respect to any Member, the account maintained for such Member in accordance with the provisions of Section IV.

F. Capital Contribution means, with respect to any Member, the aggregate amount of money and the fair market value of any property (other than money) contributed to the Company pursuant to Section IV with respect to such Member's Interest.

G. Certificate means the Certificate of Formation of the Company and any and all amendments to the Certificate of Formation and restatements of the same filed on behalf of the Company with the office of the Secretary of State of the State of pursuant to the .

H. Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

I. Company means , the limited liability company formed and continued under and pursuant to the and this Agreement.

J. Covered Person means a Member, any Affiliate of a Member, any officers, directors, shareholders, partners, employees, representatives or agents of a Member, or their respective Affiliates, or any employee or agent of the Company or its Affiliates.

K. Fiscal Year means:

1. The period commencing upon the formation of the Company and ending on ;

2. Any subsequent 12-month period commencing on and ending on ; or

3. Any portion of the period described in Clause 2 above which the Company is required to allocate Profits, Losses and other items of Company income, gain, loss or deduction pursuant to Section VIII.

L. Interest means a Member's limited liability company interest in the Company which represents such Member's share of the profits and losses of the Company and a Member's right to receive distributions of the Company's assets in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and the .

M. Member means each of , , and , and includes any Person admitted as an Additional Member pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement.

N. Net Cash Flow means, for each Fiscal Year or other period of the Company, the gross cash receipts of the Company from all sources...

O. Percentage Interest means the Interest of a Member, expressed as a portion of one hundred percent, as shown on Schedule A.

P. Person includes any individual, corporation, association, partnership, joint venture, trust, estate, limited liability company, or other legal entity or organization.

Q. Profits and Losses means, for each Fiscal Year, an amount equal to the Company's taxable income or loss for such Fiscal Year.

R. Tax Matters Partner has the meaning set forth in Section XI-A.

S. Treasury Regulations means the income tax regulations promulgated under the Code, as amended from time to time.

II. Formation and Term

A. Formation

1. The Members have formed the Company as a limited liability company under and pursuant to the provisions of the and agree that the rights, duties and liabilities of the Members shall be as provided in the , except as otherwise provided in this Agreement.

2. Upon the execution of this Agreement or a counterpart of this Agreement, , , and shall be admitted as Members of the Company.

3. The name and mailing address of each Member and the amount contributed to the capital of the Company shall be listed on the attached Schedule A.

4. , as an authorized person within the meaning of the , shall execute, deliver and file the Certificate.

B. Name. The name of the Company is .

C. Term. The term of the Company shall commence on the date the Certificate is filed in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of and shall continue until .

D. Registered Agent and Office.

The Company's registered agent and office in the State of shall be (Name) , of .

E. Principal Place of Business.

The principal place of business of the Company shall be at .

F. Qualification in Other Jurisdictions.

The Members shall, if required by law or if deemed advisable by the Members, cause the Company to be qualified, formed or registered under assumed or fictitious name statutes or similar laws in any jurisdiction in which the Company transacts business.

III. Purpose and Powers of the Company

A. Purpose. The Company is formed for the object and purpose of, and the nature of the business to be conducted and promoted by the Company is, engaging in any lawful act or activity for which limited liability companies may be formed under the .

B. Powers of the Company.

1. To conduct its business and exercise the powers granted by the Act in any state, territory, district or possession of the United States, or in any foreign country.

IV. Capital Contributions; Interests; Capital Accounts; Advances

A. Capital Contributions. Each Member has contributed or is deemed to have contributed to the capital of the Company the amount set forth opposite the Member's name on the attached Schedule A.

B. Member's Interest. A Member's Interest shall for all purposes be personal property.

C. Status of Capital Contributions. No Member shall be required to make any additional capital contribution to the Company.

D. Capital Accounts. An individual Capital Account shall be established and maintained for each Member.

E. Advances. If any Member shall advance any funds to the Company in excess of its Capital Contributions, the amount of such advance shall neither increase its Capital Account nor entitle it to any increase in its share of the distributions of the Company.

V. Members

A. Powers of Members. The Members shall have the power to exercise any and all rights or powers granted to the Members pursuant to this Agreement and the Act.

B. Reimbursements. The Company shall reimburse the Members for all ordinary and necessary out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Members on behalf of the Company.

C. Partition. Each Member waives any and all rights that it may have to maintain an action for partition of the Company's property.

D. Resignation. A Member may not resign from the Company without the written consent of all of the other Members.

VI. Management

A. Management of the Company.

1. In accordance with Section of the , management of the Company shall be vested in the Members.

2. The Members shall have full, exclusive and complete discretion to manage the business and affairs of the Company.

3. With respect to third parties, each Member is an agent of the Company's business, and each Member may bind the Company.

VII. Amendments and Meetings

A. Amendments. Any amendment to this Agreement shall be adopted and effective if it receives the affirmative vote of all of the Members and is in writing and executed by all of the Members.

B. Meetings of the Members.

1. Meetings of the Members may be called at any time by any Member. Notice of any meeting shall be given to all Members not less than days nor more than days prior to the date of such meeting.

2. The Members shall establish all other provisions relating to meetings of Members.

3. The Company may take any action contemplated by this Agreement as approved by the unanimous written consent of the Members.

VIII. Allocations

A. Profits and Losses. Profits and Losses shall be allocated among the Members in proportion to the Percentage Interests.

B. Allocation Rules. The Members are aware of the income tax consequences of the allocations made by this Article VIII and agree to be bound by the provisions of this Article VIII.

C. Tax Allocations; Section 704(c) of the Code.

IX. Distributions

A. Net Cash Flow. Any distribution of the Net Cash Flow during any Fiscal Year shall be made to the Members in proportion to the Percentage Interests.

B. Distribution Rules. All distributions pursuant to Section IX-A shall be at such times and in such amounts as shall be determined by the Members.

C. Limitations on Distribution. The Company shall not make a distribution to any Member if such distribution would violate the or other applicable law.

X. Books and Records

A. Books, Records and Financial Statements. The Company shall maintain separate books of account and records at its principal place of business.

B. Accounting Method. The books and records of the Company shall be kept on the accrual method of accounting applied in a consistent manner.

C. Annual Audit. At any time at a Member's sole discretion, the financial statements of the Company may be audited by an independent certified public accountant.

XI. Tax Matters

A. Tax Matters Partner.

1. is designated as Tax Matters Partner of the Company for purposes of Section 6231(a)(7) of the Code.

2. The Tax Matters Partner shall, within days of receipt of notice from the Internal Revenue Service, deliver a copy of such notice to each Member.

B. Taxation as Partnership. The Company shall be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

XII. Liability; Exculpation; Indemnification

A. Liability. Except as otherwise provided by the , the debts, obligations and liabilities of the Company shall be solely the debts, obligations and liabilities of the Company.

B. Exculpation. No Covered Person shall be liable to the Company or any other Covered Person except for gross negligence or willful misconduct.

C. Fiduciary Duty. The provisions of this Agreement, to the extent that they restrict the duties and liabilities of a Covered Person otherwise existing at law or in equity, are agreed by the parties to replace such other duties and liabilities.

D. Indemnification. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, a Covered Person shall be entitled to indemnification from the Company for any loss, damage or claim incurred by such Covered Person.

E. Expenses. Expenses incurred by a Covered Person in defending any claim shall, from time to time, be advanced by the Company.

F. Insurance. The Company may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of Covered Persons.

G. Outside Businesses. Any Member or Affiliate of a Member may engage in or possess an interest in other business ventures of any nature or description.

XIII. Additional Members

A. Admission. By approval of all of the Members, the Company is authorized to admit any Person as an additional member of the Company.

B. Allocations. Additional Members shall not be entitled to any retroactive allocation of the Company's income, gains, losses, deductions, credits or other items.

XIV. Assignability and Substitute Members

A. Assignability of Interests. No Member may assign the whole or any part of its Interests.

B. Recognition of Assignment by Company. No assignment or pledge of any Interest in violation of this Article XIV shall be valid or effective.

C. Pledge. No Member may pledge or otherwise encumber the whole or any part of its Interests.

XV. Dissolution, Liquidation and Termination

A. No Dissolution. The Company shall not be dissolved by the admission of Additional Members.

B. Events Causing Dissolution.

1. The expiration of the term of the Company.

2. The written consent of all Members.

3. The death, retirement, resignation, expulsion, bankruptcy or dissolution of a Member or other event under the Act, unless within days all remaining Members agree in writing to continue the business of the Company.

4. The entry of a decree of judicial dissolution under Section of the .

C. Liquidation. Upon dissolution of the Company, the Members shall carry out the winding up of the Company and shall immediately commence to wind up the Company's affairs.

D. Termination. The Company shall terminate when all assets have been distributed and the Certificate canceled in the manner required by the .

E. Claims of the Members. The Members and former Members shall look solely to the Company's assets for the return of their Capital Contributions.

XVI. Miscellaneous

A. Notices. All notices provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing and delivered as follows:

1. If given to the Company, at the address specified in Section II-E of this Agreement.

2. If given to any Member, at the address set forth opposite its name on the attached Schedule A.

B. Failure to Pursue Remedies. The failure of any party to seek redress for violation of any provision of this Agreement shall not prevent a subsequent act from having the effect of an original violation.

C. Cumulative Remedies. The rights and remedies provided by this Agreement are cumulative.

D. Binding Effect. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of all of the parties and their successors, legal representatives and assigns.

E. Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any particular provision of this Agreement shall not affect the other provisions of this Agreement.

F. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts with the same effect as if all parties had signed the same document.

G. Governing Law. This Agreement and the rights of the parties under this Agreement shall be interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of .

COMPANY

By:

, and Individually

Member Two

By:

, and Individually

Member Three

By:

, and Individually

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What a Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement Is and Why It Matters

A Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement is a private contract among an LLC's members that sets out ownership percentages, management structure, capital contributions, profit and loss allocation, voting rights, transfer restrictions, and procedures for admission, withdrawal, dissolution, and dispute resolution. Although most states do not require filing the operating agreement with the Secretary of State, the document governs internal rights and duties and helps preserve limited liability by demonstrating separation between members and the entity. Well-drafted operating agreements reduce ambiguity and provide enforceable rules for governance and financial administration.

Core Benefits of a Professional Operating Agreement

An operating agreement clarifies member roles, protects limited liability status, formalizes capital and profit sharing, sets governance rules, and creates an agreed process for adding or removing members and resolving disputes. For single-member LLCs it documents corporate formalities and supports separation of personal and business assets.

Core Benefits of a Professional Operating Agreement

Who Typically Prepares and Signs an Operating Agreement

Members, managers, and legal or accounting advisors commonly prepare and review the operating agreement before formation or when ownership changes.

  • New LLC members and founders preparing initial governance and capital arrangements.
  • Managers and officers responsible for day-to-day control and compliance obligations.
  • Attorneys and accountants engaged to align tax, liability, and governance provisions.

The agreement is an internal record used by members, lenders, and advisors to verify authority and contractual commitments; it is not normally filed with the state.

Step-by-Step: Complete an Operating Agreement

Follow these sequential steps to prepare, review, sign, and store an enforceable operating agreement.

  • 01
    Start with entity facts: Enter LLC legal name, formation state, and EIN.
  • 02
    Define membership: List members, ownership percentages, and capital contributions.
  • 03
    Choose governance: Specify manager-managed or member-managed structure and voting rules.
  • 04
    Sign and date: All members sign, date, and retain executed copies.

Essential Clauses to Include in a Professional Operating Agreement

A comprehensive operating agreement balances governance clarity with flexibility. Include clear, actionable clauses to reduce ambiguity and litigation risk.

Ownership & Capital

State initial capital contributions, additional capital call procedures, how profits and losses are allocated, and consequences for unpaid contributions.

Management

Specify whether the LLC is member-managed or manager-managed, define manager powers, duties, and removal procedures, and set voting thresholds.

Transfers & Buyouts

Include transfer restrictions, right of first refusal, valuation method for departing members, and buyout mechanics to control ownership changes.

Dispute Resolution

Provide mediation or arbitration options, choice of governing law, and forum selection to streamline conflict resolution.

Dissolution

Define dissolution triggers, winding-up procedures, creditor priorities, and distribution waterfall to close the business cleanly.

Amendment Process

Describe required vote or consent thresholds and the form for written amendments to ensure valid future changes.

Security and Compliance Items to Note

Encryption: AES-256 at rest, TLS 1.2/1.3 in transit
Audit Trail: Detailed signer events and timestamps
HIPAA Support: BAA available when required
Access Controls: Role-based permissions and SSO
Regulatory Standards: SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001
Accessibility: WCAG 2.0 Level AA compliance

Key Risks and Legal Consequences of an Incorrect Agreement

Loss of Liability Shield: Piercing risk if formalities ignored
Tax Reporting Issues: Incorrect allocations can trigger IRS adjustments
1099 Penalties: Up to $330/form (IRC §6721)
I-9 Paperwork: $281–$2,789 per violation
Contract Disputes: Ambiguous terms increase litigation risk
Creditor Claims: Improper distributions may be clawed back

Common Preparation Mistakes to Avoid

  • Using a boilerplate without customizing capital contributions or voting thresholds leads to later disputes and unintended ownership outcomes.
  • Failing to identify whether the LLC is member- or manager-managed creates confusion about decision authority and can void actions.
  • Not documenting buyout methodology or transfer restrictions often results in contested valuations and litigation between members.
  • Overlooking tax allocations and withholding requirements can trigger IRS audits, penalties, and state tax liabilities.

How Electronic Signing Works for Operating Agreements

E-signing follows a consistent workflow: prepare, assign, authenticate, sign, and store with an audit trail for evidentiary value.

  • Upload Document: Add the finalized agreement file to the signing platform.
  • Place Fields: Insert signature, initials, and date fields where required.
  • Authenticate Signers: Use email, SMS, or stronger methods as needed.
  • Capture Audit Trail: Record IP, timestamps, and signer actions.

Recommended Workflow Settings for Digital Execution

Configure signing workflows to match your governance and evidence needs before sending for signature.

Field Setting
Signing Order Sequential or parallel based on governance requirements
Authentication Email link default; SMS or KBA for higher assurance
Template Use Save standardized clauses for future LLC formations
Notifications Reminders and completion copies to members and advisors

Technical and Integration Considerations for eSigning

Choose a platform that supports your security, compliance, and integration needs for document execution.

  • Integrations: Salesforce, NetSuite, Microsoft 365, Google Workspace supported
  • File Types: PDF and DOCX import/export compatibility
  • Authentication Options: Email, SMS code, and advanced methods available

Confirm the platform provides audit trails, optional BAA for HIPAA, SSO for enterprise users, and straightforward export of executed PDFs for records.

eSignature Vendor Pricing and Feature Snapshot

Compare common plan starting prices and key capabilities relevant to executing operating agreements and managing signed records. Vendor details vary by plan and contract.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7-day free trial Varies by vendor Varies by vendor Varies by vendor Varies by vendor
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes Varies
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No
Envelope Cap No cap 100 envelopes/user/year Varies Varies Varies

Timing and Delivery Expectations for Executing an Agreement

Certain timing points are important: effective date, delivery to members, amendments, and tax-related reporting deadlines tied to member changes.

Effective Date:

Set as MM/DD/YYYY; determines when rights and obligations begin

Initial Distribution:

Record capital contributions and issue member notices promptly upon formation

Amendment Timing:

Follow amendment vote rules and document the amendment date

Tax Reporting:

Provide updated member info for 1099 or K-1 reporting as required

Record Delivery:

Deliver executed copies to all members and retain originals in corporate records

Frequently Asked Questions About Operating Agreements

Answers to common practical and legal questions about creating, signing, and maintaining a Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement.


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