LLC Operating Agreement

• Operating Agreements (aka LLC Agreements) are similar to the “By-Laws” of a Corporation in that it defines the specifics of the regulation of the of the company’s business and is similar to a Limited Partnership Agreement in that it defines the terms that the Members will adhere to regarding admission of new members, assignment of interest, distribution of llc profits, appointment of voting rights and dissolution of the association.
• The reason for this is to allow the Delaware LLC to define its own provisions in its LLC agreement; which saves the Delaware LLC from having to file an Amendment with the State if a change is needed, and keeps the organizational details of the company private.
• Most “Articles of Organization”, also known as a “Certificate of Formation”, are deliberately spare in detail, defining only the minimum traits required to establish the Delaware LLC.
• Your purchase of a new Delaware LLC Registration Package includes an Operating Agreement Kit which comes with your choice of a model template (Microsoft Word .doc), or a fill-in-the-blanks form.
• The following standard Articles are included in the model Agreement:
  1. Definitions
  2. Organization of the Company
  3. Members (Status, Rights and Duties of)
  4. Management of the Company
  5. Managers (Status, Rights and Duties of)
  6. Officers
  7. Capital
  8. Distributions to Members
  9. Profits and Losses
  10. Admission and Withdrawal of a Member; Transfer of Member’s Interest
  11. Conversion and Merger with Other Entities
  12. Dissolution, Winding Up & Termination
  13. Books and Reports
  14. Miscellaneous
• If you wish to include additional provisions please indicate that you want the Word .doc template. You are free to alter, add or delete any material you wish. DBI does not alter, add or delete provisions from the model template.
• If you decide to purchase the LLC operating agreement template, you may need to retain an attorney to assist with the completion of the agreement.

Operating agreements are usually drafted by an attorney (however, you can start with our LLC operating agreement template) and can be anywhere between 5 and 20+ pages long.

The functionality of internal affairs is outlined in the agreement and can include but is not limited to the following items:

• Members' ownership percentage
• Members' voting responsibilities and rights
• Duties and powers LLC managers and members
• Distribution of profits and loses
• When and where to hold meetings
• Procedures for transferring interest or in the event of a death aka buyout and buy-sell rules
• Termination date of LLC or it can be perpetual

The operating agreement is a manual or roadmap of how your LLC is going to conduct itself with regard to the members and managers responsibilities. Depending on the state where it was formed, you may or may not be required by law to have a LLC operating agreement. Delaware does NOT require an operating agreement. However, it is highly recommended to have a LLC operating agreement even if you are only a single member LLC. The state of Delaware recognizes operating agreements and governing documents.

Since an agreement is important aspect of your business, these agreements should be kept with your other business records in secure place. They are NOT required to be filed with the state. Operating agreements are deemed internal documents. These documents should be kept confidential and not be made public in any way.

Delaware Business Incorporators, Inc. provides an LLC operating agreement template that can be used to give you a head start in developing your LLC governing agreements. Always have your LLC operating agreement reviewed by a competent Delaware attorney.

Included in all incorporating services:

• Company Name Check Verification & Availability
• Preparation & Filing of Articles of Formation
• Same Business Day Processing
• Registered Agent (1st Year FREE)
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