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LLC Formation Package (Articles + Operating Agreement)
Articles of Organization plus a full Operating Agreement, adaptable to single-member or multi-member and member-managed or manager-managed.
What is an LLC Formation Package?
An LLC Formation Package (Articles + Operating Agreement) pairs the Articles of Organization with a full Operating Agreement, and it adapts to a single-member or multi-member LLC that is member-managed or manager-managed.
Owners of an operating business, real estate, or a professional practice who want liability protection with pass-through tax and lighter formality than a corporation. Single-member LLCs get an operating agreement too, because it is what proves the entity is real and protects the liability shield.
LLC Formation Package template, current for 2026
It handles the single-vs-multi-member and member-vs-manager-managed matrix in one adaptive document, and it adds a Corporate Transparency Act / BOI compliance covenant, a check-the-box tax election acknowledgment (including S-corp), modern electronic-signature and remote-notary language, and a clean capital-account/allocation framework. A general-purpose LLC operating agreement is included.
How HDAi does this differently
Unlike a static form, HDAi runs a guided interview and assembles your LLC Formation Package as you answer. When you want it finished, a licensed Hart David Carson attorney reviews it and tailors it to your facts before you sign. The interview and the first draft are automated. The judgment belongs to an attorney.
What you’ll be asked
A short interview in plain language that asks only what this document needs.
- In which U.S. state will the LLC be formed? The state of organization governs the LLC and sets the filing office, statute, and default rules.
- Name the state of organization We use this to fill the governing-law and filing references throughout the package.
- What is the state filing office that receives the Articles? The Articles are addressed to and filed with this office; naming it correctly avoids rejected filings.
- What is the exact legal name of the LLC? Must be available in the state and include an LLC designator; this name appears on every page.
- Which entity designator does the name use? State law requires the name to end with an approved designator; we match the Articles to your choice.
- What is the LLC's principal office address? This is the LLC's main business address for notices and records; not necessarily the registered agent address.
- How should the LLC's business purpose be stated? A general lawful-purpose clause maximizes flexibility; a specific purpose narrows the entity's scope.
- Describe the specific business purpose of the LLC Used verbatim as the stated purpose; keep it accurate to the intended business.
- Who is the LLC's registered agent? Every LLC must maintain a registered agent in the state to receive legal process; this name goes on the Articles.
- What is the registered agent's street address in the state of formation? Must be a physical in-state address where service of process can be delivered during business hours.
- What is the LLC's duration? Most LLCs are perpetual; choose a fixed term only if the venture is meant to wind up on a set date.
- On what date will the LLC dissolve? The LLC will wind up on this date unless the members agree otherwise; used in the term and dissolution clauses.
- How will the LLC be managed? In a member-managed LLC the owners run it directly. In a manager-managed LLC designated managers run it and the members are passive.
- Is this a single-member or multi-member LLC? This drives voting, distributions, transfer, and tax provisions throughout the Operating Agreement.
- Who is the sole member (owner) of the LLC? Identifies the single owner who holds 100% of the interests and controls the company.
- What is the sole member's notice address? Where formal notices to the member are sent under the agreement.
- What is the sole member's initial capital contribution (USD)? The value contributed to fund the LLC; recorded on the members schedule and capital account.
- Is the sole member married and resident in a community-property state? In a community-property state (AZ, CA, ID, LA, NV, NM, TX, WA, WI), a spouse may hold a community interest in the membership interest; a spousal consent (Exhibit C) confirms the spouse is bound by the transfer and buy-sell terms.
- List each member, giving the legal name, notice address, capital contribution (USD), and percentage interest For multi-member LLCs we capture every owner; this populates the members schedule (Exhibit A) and the signature page. Percentages should total 100%. Enter one member per line.
- List the initial manager(s): legal name and address, one per line In a manager-managed LLC, these persons or entities have authority to run the business; listed in the agreement and Articles.
- How will the LLC be taxed for federal income tax purposes? Drives the tax section and allocations; the default follows entity type unless an S/C-corp election is made.
- What is the LLC's fiscal year end? Sets the tax and accounting year used for allocations, distributions, and reporting.
- Specify the fiscal year end (month and day) Used where the LLC does not use a calendar year.
- Who is the LLC's IRS "responsible party" for its EIN application? The IRS requires a natural-person responsible party on the SS-4 EIN application; this same person typically coordinates the Company's federal beneficial-ownership reporting. Name the individual and their capacity.
- Identify the Company's beneficial owners for federal reporting (25%+ owners and anyone with substantial control) Federal law may require the Company to report its beneficial owners to FinCEN (individuals who own or control 25% or more, plus those exercising substantial control). List each with full legal name and role. Reporting obligations under the Corporate Transparency Act have shifted; confirm the current requirement with counsel before filing.
- How will distributions be handled? Sets whether cash is paid out on a schedule, only when managers/members decide, or only for taxes plus discretion.
- What assumed combined tax rate should the tax distribution use? Enter a whole-number percentage (for example, 45 for 45%). Tax distributions are sized to cover each member's estimated federal, state, and local tax on their allocable share of Company income at this assumed rate.
- Can members be required to make additional capital contributions? Sets the LLC's power to compel more funding after the initial contribution, and the consequences of not paying.
- How many days do members have to fund a capital call? The funding window after a written capital call is issued; a member who does not fund within this window becomes a Defaulting Member.
- How restricted are transfers of membership interests? Controls an owner's ability to sell or assign their stake and any first rights of the LLC or the other members.
- Include drag-along and tag-along rights on a sale of the Company? Drag-along lets an approving majority compel the minority to join an arm's-length sale on the same terms; tag-along lets minority members join a controlling member's sale pro rata. Common in multi-member ventures anticipating an exit.
- What voting standard governs major member decisions? Sets the threshold for approving fundamental actions like amendments, mergers, and admitting new members.
- Above what dollar amount does incurring debt or granting a lien become a Major Decision? Debt or liens outside the ordinary course above this threshold require approval under the Major Decisions voting standard. Enter a USD amount.
- Include a buy-sell / deadlock exit mechanism? Provides an orderly exit on a member's death or disability and a way to break a 50/50 deadlock, using an appraised fair-value buyout or a shotgun (put-call) election, so a triggering event does not paralyze or dissolve the Company.
- Include a confidentiality covenant binding the members? Requires members to keep the Company's non-public business, financial, and member information confidential, with customary carve-outs.
- Are any membership interests subject to vesting or forfeiture (for example, service-based profits interests)? If interests vest over time or are subject to repurchase or forfeiture on departure, we add a vesting framework and an 83(b) election acknowledgment. Profits-interest and capital-interest recipients often file an 83(b) election within 30 days.
- How should disputes among the members/managers be resolved? Selects the forum for internal disputes; arbitration is private and binding, litigation uses the courts.
- In what city and state will arbitration be seated? The seat of arbitration governs procedure and the supervising court.
- Who is the organizer signing and filing the Articles? The organizer executes the Articles of Organization; may be a member, manager, or an authorized representative such as counsel.
- What is the effective date of the Operating Agreement? The date the members adopt the agreement; used in the preamble and effectiveness clause.
- When should the Articles become effective? You may make the formation effective upon filing or on a specified future date permitted by the state.
- On what future date should the Articles become effective? The state will treat the LLC as formed on this date; must be within the window your state allows.
Frequently asked
About the LLC Formation Package and how HDAi works.
What is an LLC Formation Package (Articles + Operating Agreement)? +
An LLC Formation Package (Articles + Operating Agreement) is the Articles of Organization plus a full Operating Agreement, adaptable to single-member or multi-member and member-managed or manager-managed. Owners of an operating business, real estate, or a professional practice use it when they want liability protection with pass-through tax and lighter formality than a corporation. Single-member LLCs get an operating agreement too, since it is what proves the entity is real and protects the liability shield.
Is HDAi's LLC Formation Package (Articles + Operating Agreement) legally binding? +
The LLC Formation Package (Articles + Operating Agreement) HDAi generates is a professionally drafted document that becomes binding once it is completed, reviewed, and properly signed. If you want a licensed Hart David Carson attorney to finish it, book a planning call. The firm's flat-fee packages, the Illinois Family Plan and Company Launch, cover the most common needs; for any other draft, an Illinois attorney will tell you on the call what finishing it would involve.
Do I need a lawyer to use this LLC Formation Package (Articles + Operating Agreement)? +
You can generate and download the LLC Formation Package (Articles + Operating Agreement) in minutes, free of charge. A licensed Hart David Carson attorney can then review it and tailor it to your facts before you sign, which is the part no template can do.
What makes this LLC Formation Package (Articles + Operating Agreement) current for 2026? +
One adaptive document covers the single-vs-multi-member and member-vs-manager-managed matrix. It adds a Corporate Transparency Act / BOI compliance covenant, a check-the-box tax election acknowledgment (including S-corp), modern electronic-signature and remote-notary language, and a clean capital-account/allocation framework. A general-purpose LLC operating agreement is included.
How long does the LLC Formation Package (Articles + Operating Agreement) take? +
Estimated time about 21 min (42 questions), depending on how much you already know. The document assembles as you answer. Export it as PDF or Word, or send it to a Hart David Carson attorney for review.
Does this LLC Formation Package (Articles + Operating Agreement) work in my state? +
HDAi's interview is state-aware. If you ask an attorney to finish the draft, a licensed Hart David Carson attorney confirms it against your state's requirements before you rely on it. Validity and required formalities vary by state.
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