Setting up a limited liability company in Louisiana creates a business that has a separate legal existence from the owners of the business. An LLC can enter into contractual arrangements, sue or be sued, as well as accumulate debts and liabilities. To set up an LLC in Louisiana, you must file formation documents and pay a filing fee to the state.
Instructions
1. Choose a name. Confirm name availability by using the Louisiana Secretary of State's Office website. Type the name of the company without the words "Limited Liability Company" or the abbreviation "LLC." A list of similar business names will appear. You cannot use a business name similar to those of other companies registered with the Louisiana Secretary of State's Office. Call 225-925-4704 to check business name availability by telephone with the Louisiana Secretary of State's Office.
2. Obtain the Louisiana articles of organization. You can find the articles of organization on the Louisiana Secretary of State's Office website. You can also request to have the Louisiana articles of organization sent by mail by calling the Louisiana Secretary of State's Office at 225-925-4704. Pick up articles of organization in person at the Louisiana Secretary of State's Office at 8585 Archives Ave., Baton Rouge, LA 70809.
3. Complete the Louisiana articles of organization. Provide information about the LLC such as the legal name and principal address of the business, as well as the purpose for setting up an LLC. State whether the LLC will be managed by members of the company or by non-members who will be appointed to handle the company's managerial duties. Indicate the length of time the LLC will be in existence. Provide the name and address of an adult or business that will accept legal and tax documents on behalf of the LLC.
4. File the articles of organization with the Louisiana Secretary of State's Office. In addition to online filing, the Louisiana Secretary of State's Office accepts articles of organization by fax, mail or in person at the Louisiana Secretary of State's Office. Fax the completed articles of organization to 225-922-0435. Mail the articles of organization to the Louisiana Secretary of State, Commercial Division, P.O. Box 94125, Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9125. As of 2010, it costs $75 to file articles of organization in Louisiana.
5. Prepare an operating agreement. A Louisiana LLC's operating agreement is an internal document that provides rules and regulations for operating the company. There are no set criteria imposed on an LLC by Louisiana when it comes to creating an operating agreement. Include information in the operating agreement such as the manner that the company's profits and losses will be divided, and state each member's ownership interest. State the responsibilities of the company's members and managers. Keep the operating agreement at the Louisiana LLC's place of business as a document of reference.
