MissDeviance
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Do you mean, how much is it reasonable for an attorney to charge YOU, or how much it would be reasonable for you as a non-attorney to charge someone else?
I'm sure the fees vary from state to state, but in Georgia it was a $100 filing fee to the state, plus $40 to the newspaper of record for the county where the company is being incorporated. So the net bottom line for any incorporation is $140.
A lawyer should do it for $350 or less (netting him an easy $210). Sometimes they will charge a little more (another $50-100) but include a bunch of fun goodies with their fee (like an official metal corporate "stamp" you can imprint papers with, plus a fancy binder). But honestly you can even get those for pretty cheap too, ordering it over the internet.
If the question is about how much a lawyer should charge YOU to incorporate, you're really paying for experience more than anything. For the extra $210, the lawyer will explain to you how corporations work, what your responsibilities are, how important it is to not mix personal and corporate finances, what annual filing notices you should expect from the state, etc. So you really are getting a good deal of information from them. But if they charge you more than $310 above the regular filing fees, you're getting ripped off. Keep looking, and you'll find a lawyer who is more reasonable and realistic.
If you are doing this for someone else and you know what you are doing, because you've done it before, and you can really explain those things just like a lawyer would, there's nothing legally preventing you from doing so. And then it's up to you what you want to charge. $100-150 over the filing fees is very reasonable and cheaper than a lawyer would be.
That said, if this is the first time you're incorporating, I'd really suggest finding a reasonably priced lawyer and doing it that way.
There are good "Nolo" books on the subject, but they really don't explain all the tax-related and filing related things that you'll need to be aware of each year. And you'll end up missing things and having to pay fees for filing late (or even lose your annual certification).
Good luck! |
Dennis B
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It depends on how you feel about it. One of the "Major" perks is, IF something goes 'South', and you get sued, they can ONLY sue the Corp. NOT the individual. That's worth $1000's, to me as insurance. Depending what you've going, would dictate it. I'm small time. Inc., is not an issue. |
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