New York LLC Operating Agreement

In New York, your limited liability company (LLC) is required to have an operating agreement in place. Even though an operating agreement isn’t filed with the state of New York, the document persists to be an effective way to help avoid disputes and lawsuits that could threaten the stability of your business. 

What is an LLC Operating Agreement?

An LLC operating agreement is an important legal document that details who owns the business and provides essential information pertaining to member duties. An LLC operating agreement establishes the financial relationship between members and the basics of the working relationships between those members and the managers who oversee daily operations. 

Read more about the importance of an LLC operating agreement here.

Again, the operating agreement is not filed with the state.  Instead, it remains a private internal company document. It’s advisable to hire an attorney to ensure your operating agreement is thorough and legally binding. 

What Should Your LLC’s Operating Agreement Include?

The operating agreement should clearly define:

• The percentage of each member’s interests in the LLC
• How profits and losses will be allocated to each member
• Each member’s rights and responsibilities
• The management structure and management roles of members
• The voting rights of each member
• Rules for meetings and voting
• What happens when a member sells their interest, becomes disabled, or dies

If the LLC has a board of directors, the operating agreement will also include the role and responsibilities of the board members and how they are compensated. 

An LLC operating agreement provides legal and financial recourse for a number of situations. If conflicts arise between LLC owners pertaining to any of the above issues, the operating agreement will provide clarity. 

The specific language of the operating agreement lays out exactly how such conflicts will be resolved, how the business is structured, the dynamics of operations, and more. 

Though New York does have default rules on the books that address some of the issues that might arise between LLC members, your LLC operating agreement would override these default laws and give you greater control. 

How Much Does an Operating Agreement Cost? 

Creating an operating agreement is free if you just draw it up yourself. Alternatively, you can pay for guidance from an online business advisory like ZenBusiness.

This is an extremely important document, so it’s recommended that you hire a professional service or law firm. If you choose to use an attorney to help you create this document, the price will be around $500 for a single-member LLC and $2,500 for a multi-member LLC. 

Who Needs my LLC Operating Agreement?

Regardless of state requirements, one of the key reasons to have an operating agreement in place is that it makes your LLC more appealing to financial backers. Banks are likely to request to see your operating agreement when you apply for a loan. If you seek funding from investors, they will also want to see your operating agreement. 

Conclusion 

New York legally requires LLCs to create an operating agreement.  Even if the state did not require an operating agreement, it’s a crucial document that ensures your company is able to access adequate financing and settle any disputes. Remember, you do not file your operating agreement with any New York State body. You simply need to take certain steps to ensure it’s legally binding and keep it in your records.