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Limited Liability Company Agreement

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LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT

This Limited Liability Company Agreement (the "Agreement") is made and entered into as of by and among Company Name: , a limited liability company formed under the laws of State of Formation: , with principal place of business at , and Member One Name: and Member Two Name: (collectively, the "Members").

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the Members desire to form a limited liability company pursuant to the laws of the State of Formation to engage in lawful business activities permitted by such laws; and

WHEREAS, the Members desire to set forth their respective rights and obligations with respect to the Company, the management of the Company's business and affairs, the capital contributions to be made by the Members, and the allocation and distribution of profits and losses among the Members; and

WHEREAS, the Members intend that the Company will be treated as a partnership for United States federal and applicable state tax purposes unless otherwise provided in this Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

1. DEFINITIONS

For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings set forth below:

"Capital Contribution" means the cash, property, services rendered or a promissory note or other obligation to contribute cash or property, agreed in writing by the Members, contributed to the capital of the Company by each Member in accordance with this Agreement.

"Capital Account" means the account maintained for each Member in accordance with the rules set forth in Article 6, reflecting such Member's contributions, allocations and distributions as adjusted pursuant to this Agreement and applicable Treasury Regulations.

"Percentage Interest" means, for each Member, the percentage determined by dividing such Member's Capital Contribution by the aggregate Capital Contributions of all Members, subject to adjustment as provided herein.

2. FORMATION

The Members hereby form a limited liability company pursuant to the applicable laws of the State of Formation. The Members shall execute and file such certificates or articles of organization and shall take such other action as is necessary to organize the Company under such laws.

3. NAME; PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS

The Company shall conduct business under the name set forth in the opening paragraph or such other name as the Members may determine. The principal place of business shall be the address set forth in the opening paragraph or such other place as the Members may designate.

4. PURPOSE AND POWERS

The purpose of the Company is to engage in any lawful business activity for which limited liability companies may be organized under the laws of the State of Formation and to exercise all powers necessary, convenient or incidental thereto, including acquiring, holding, managing, financing, operating and disposing of property.

5. TERM

The term of the Company shall commence on the filing of the certificate or articles of organization with the appropriate state office and shall continue until dissolved in accordance with this Agreement.

6. CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS; MEMBERSHIP INTERESTS

The Capital Contributions set forth above shall be credited to the Members' Capital Accounts. No Member shall be required to make additional capital contributions except as agreed in writing by all Members.

7. ALLOCATIONS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

Profits and losses of the Company shall be allocated among the Members in proportion to their respective Percentage Interests unless otherwise required by applicable tax law. Distributions of available cash shall be made to Members at such times and in such amounts as determined by the Members, in proportion to their Percentage Interests, subject to retention of reserves reasonably required for the conduct of the business.

8. MANAGEMENT

The management structure of the Company shall be determined as follows (select one):

Member-managed (each Member has authority to participate in management in accordance with the terms of this Agreement)

Manager-managed (management vested in one or more Managers selected by the Members)

The Manager(s) shall owe fiduciary duties to the Company and the Members to the extent such duties are not limited by applicable law. The Members may, by majority vote, remove and replace any Manager in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

9. TRANSFER OF INTERESTS

No Member may Transfer (as defined below) all or any portion of its Membership Interest without the unanimous written consent of the other Members, except for transfers to Affiliates or as otherwise permitted in this Agreement. "Transfer" includes any sale, assignment, pledge, encumbrance or other disposition.

In the event a Member desires to Transfer any Membership Interest, the transferring Member shall first offer such interest to the non-transferring Members on the same terms and conditions as the proposed Transfer. The non-transferring Members shall have 30 days to accept such offer.

10. WITHDRAWAL; DEATH; BUYOUT

Upon the withdrawal, death, incapacity or bankruptcy of a Member, the remaining Members shall have the option to purchase the departing Member's Membership Interest at a purchase price determined in accordance with the valuation method set forth below.

11. DISSOLUTION AND WINDING UP

The Company shall be dissolved upon the occurrence of any of the following: (a) the unanimous written consent of the Members; (b) the entry of a decree of judicial dissolution under the applicable state statute; or (c) any other event requiring dissolution under applicable law. Upon dissolution, the Company shall wind up its affairs, liquidate assets, pay or provide for liabilities and distribute any remaining assets to the Members in accordance with their respective Capital Accounts and Percentage Interests.

12. ACCOUNTING; TAX TREATMENT

The Company shall keep books and records of account in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied. Fiscal year shall end on . The Members intend that the Company be treated as a partnership for federal and state income tax purposes unless otherwise agreed in writing.

13. INDEMNIFICATION; LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Company shall indemnify and hold harmless each Member and Manager from and against any losses, liabilities, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) incurred in connection with the Company's business, provided that such indemnification shall not apply to any liability resulting from gross negligence, willful misconduct or a knowing violation of law by the indemnitee.

14. NOTICES

All notices, demands or other communications required or permitted under this Agreement shall be in writing and delivered personally, by nationally recognized overnight courier, or by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the addresses set forth below or to such other address as a party may designate by notice in accordance with this Section.

15. AMENDMENTS; WAIVER

This Agreement may be amended only by a written instrument executed by all Members unless a greater or lesser percentage is specified elsewhere in this Agreement for a particular amendment. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall be effective unless in writing and signed by the party granting the waiver.

16. GOVERNING LAW

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Formation, without regard to its conflict of law principles.

17. ENTIRE AGREEMENT

This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement among the Members with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements, understandings, negotiations and discussions, whether oral or written, of the Members.

18. SEVERABILITY

If any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect and the invalid provision shall be reformed only to the extent necessary to make it valid and enforceable.

19. COUNTERPARTS

This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Signatures delivered by electronic means shall be deemed originals for all purposes.

20. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

The headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. The remedies provided in this Agreement are cumulative and in addition to any other remedies available at law or in equity.

Member One:

By:

Date:

Member Two:

By:

Date:

Enter text✕

What a Limited Liability Company Agreement Is and What It Covers

A Limited Liability Company Agreement is the primary internal contract among an LLC's members that sets out the company structure, ownership percentages, capital contributions, allocation of profits and losses, management and voting rules, transfer restrictions, dispute resolution, and dissolution procedures. It is typically kept with the company records rather than filed with the state, and it governs member rights and obligations under state contract law. When executed properly it creates enforceable obligations between parties and can be signed electronically when ESIGN and applicable state laws are satisfied.

Why a Clear Operating Agreement Matters

A written LLC Agreement clarifies member expectations, preserves limited liability by documenting corporate formalities, reduces internal disputes, and specifies tax and voting arrangements. Properly drafted terms reduce litigation risk and support consistent governance across ownership changes.

Why a Clear Operating Agreement Matters

Who Typically Prepares and Uses an LLC Agreement

The LLC Agreement is used by owners and stakeholders who need a formal record of rights and duties.

  • Members and investors — Establish ownership percentages, capital obligations, and profit allocations in writing.
  • Managers and officers — Define management powers, voting rules, and compensation for day-to-day operations.
  • Legal and finance teams — Review tax classification, indemnities, and transfer restrictions for compliance and reporting.

Keep the agreement accessible to signatories and advisors and update it when membership or material terms change.

Who Has Authority to Sign on Behalf of the LLC

Managing Member

A managing member generally signs agreements that bind the LLC when the Agreement or member vote grants that authority; include an explicit signature block and role description to avoid ambiguity in authority and third-party reliance.

Authorized Representative

An authorized representative or manager may sign for specific transactions if the LLC Agreement or a separate resolution delegates signing authority; document the scope, duration, and any approval thresholds in the records.

Core Sections to Include in a Professional LLC Agreement

A complete LLC Agreement addresses membership, capital and distributions, governance, transfer rules, dispute resolution, and end-of-life procedures to create predictable outcomes for members and third parties.

Parties & Purpose

Identify the LLC and each member by full legal name, business purpose, principal place of business, and the agreement's effective date to avoid identity disputes and ensure enforceability.

Capital Contributions

Describe initial and future contribution obligations, valuation methods, timelines, and consequences for failure to contribute to remove uncertainty over member capital accounts.

Profit & Loss Allocation

Set explicit allocation percentages, distribution timing, tax allocations, and whether preferred returns or priority distributions apply to avoid tax and cash-flow disputes.

Management & Voting

State whether the LLC is member-managed or manager-managed, define voting thresholds for routine and major decisions, and specify quorum rules for meetings.

Transfer Restrictions

Include buy-sell provisions, right of first refusal, approval thresholds, acceptable transferee standards, and valuation mechanisms for member exits.

Dissolution & Exit

Explain triggering events, winding-up procedures, creditor priority, and distribution waterfall to ensure orderly termination and creditor protection.

Step-by-Step: How to Complete an LLC Agreement

Follow a clear sequence from preparation through execution to make the agreement enforceable and ready for records and tax reporting.

  • 01
    Gather Information: Collect member IDs, addresses, capital details, and the company formation record.
  • 02
    Draft Terms: Document contributions, allocations, management structure, and transfer rules.
  • 03
    Legal Review: Have counsel review tax, fiduciary, and liability provisions before finalizing.
  • 04
    Execute & Store: Sign all originals, timestamp execution, and save secure copies for corporate records.

How to Configure an Online Signing Workflow

Set the signing flow and authentication to match the agreement's sensitivity and state requirements before sending for signature.

Field Define signature, initial, and date fields on each execution page.
Execution Order Choose sequential or parallel signing based on approval process.
Signer Authentication Use email link, SMS code, or stronger methods for high-risk transactions.
Retention Location Select secure cloud storage with backup and audit trail.
Template Settings Enable reusable templates, conditional logic, and prefilled fields for repeatable use.

Where the Agreement Goes After It’s Finalized

Understand typical distribution and filing targets so executed agreements are accessible to stakeholders and compliant with corporate formalities.

  • Company Records: Store executed originals with corporate minute book and member records.
  • Members: Provide executed copies to all members and managers immediately.
  • Registered Agent: Keep proof of signature available for registered agent or legal counsel.
  • Tax & Finance Teams: Share allocation and contribution details for tax filings and accounting.

Digital Signing and Technical Requirements

Choose a platform that supports audit trails, secure storage, and the authentication level appropriate for your LLC Agreement.

  • Audit Trail: Capture IP, timestamp, and signer actions.
  • Authentication: Enable email, SMS, KBA, or stronger options.
  • Integrations: Connect to cloud storage and ERPs.

Key Legal Risks if the Agreement Is Incorrect or Missing

Veil Piercing Risk: Poor formalities may permit personal liability
Tax Misclassification: Ambiguous language can trigger IRS disputes
Member Disputes: Vague terms increase litigation likelihood
Transfer Confusion: Unclear restrictions enable unwanted transfers
Creditor Exposure: Improper distributions may harm creditor claims
Enforceability Gaps: Missing signatures or authority can void terms

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Preparing an LLC Agreement

  • Using informal or inconsistent member names and capital descriptions, which can create identity and tax reporting errors and complicate bank and contract validation.
  • Leaving management authority or voting thresholds unspecified, causing paralysis or disputes when major business decisions arise among members.
  • Failing to include clear buy-sell, valuation, or admission provisions for transfers and exits, leading to protracted disputes or undervalued sales.
  • Not documenting amendments, member resolutions, or capital calls in the corporate records, undermining formalities and increasing veil-piercing exposure.

Key Dates and Deadlines to Track

A few dates typically affect the agreement's operation and reporting; track execution, tax, and state filing deadlines accurately.

Effective Date:

Document the MM/DD/YYYY execution date that starts member rights and obligations.

Initial Contribution Due:

Specify when members must deliver capital (at signing or by a set date).

Annual Reports:

State-specific annual report deadlines apply to the LLC entity (varies by state).

Tax Return Filing:

LLCs taxed as partnerships file Form 1065 by March 15 (tax year rules apply).

Amendment Timing:

Record amendment effective dates and approval thresholds when changing material terms.

How to Store and Protect Signed LLC Agreements

Encryption in Transit: Use TLS 1.2/1.3 for uploads and downloads
Encryption at Rest: Store files with AES-256 encryption
Access Controls: Limit access by role and use MFA
Audit Trail: Maintain timestamped signer logs and IP data
Backup & Recovery: Keep redundant backups with versioning
BAA for PHI: Require a BAA if documents contain PHI

Real-World Examples of Using eSignatures for LLC Agreements

Organizations across real estate and venture management use electronic execution to streamline member onboarding and investor admissions.

Martin Properties

As a real estate founder, Tim used e-signatures to speed entity-level agreements

  • Saved time on remote closings and member signoffs
  • "I can process and execute all of these documents online with 100% compliance and built-in security. Whether on mobile or working offline, I can get forms back to their necessary parties efficiently."

Optica Ventures

A venture firm uses electronic execution for new member admission and capital calls

  • Reduced administrative friction for investors
  • "The interface is simple and easy-to-use for our team; more importantly, it is just as easy for our customers."

Practical Tips for Accurate and Efficient Completion

Adopt these practices to reduce errors, speed execution, and preserve enforceability for the LLC Agreement.

Use Full Legal Names
Always use members' exact legal names and entity identifiers to prevent identity disputes and to ensure accurate tax reporting and bank account setup, including EIN verification where applicable.
Be Specific About Money Terms
Define capital contributions, timing, valuation methods, and consequences for missed payments to avoid later valuation disputes and creditor exposure during winding-up.
Define Decision Thresholds
Specify voting percentages, quorum rules, and special-majority requirements for major transactions to reduce ambiguity and voting deadlocks among members.
Keep Amendment Records
Record all amendments and member approvals, attach signed exhibits, and maintain a single authoritative electronic copy with an audit trail for future reference.

Comparing eSignature Pricing and Key Capabilities

Overview of starting prices and common capabilities across vendors. signNow is listed first per comparison conventions.

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 (higher tiers) Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes (BAA available) Varies by vendor Varies by vendor Varies by vendor Varies by vendor
Envelope Cap No envelope cap 100 envelopes/user/year Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan

Frequently Asked Questions About LLC Agreements and Electronic Execution

Answers to common concerns about validity, signing authority, notarization, and updates for Limited Liability Company Agreements.


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