Business Structure Attorney
Delina Yasmeh advises new California business owners on entity formation, LLC operating agreements, and the legal and tax implications of every structure , before the wrong choice becomes expensive to fix.
Get Started →Most new business owners choose a structure without understanding it.
The internet will tell you to “just form an LLC.” That is not wrong , but it is incomplete. The entity you form determines your personal liability, your tax treatment, your ability to bring in partners or investors, and your options when you eventually want to sell or transition the business. These are not abstract questions. They have dollar amounts attached to them.
California adds complexity that other states do not have. Every LLC in California pays an $800 annual minimum franchise tax , regardless of whether the business made money. S-Corps pay 1.5% of net income to the state on top of federal obligations. These costs are predictable and should be part of your decision, not a surprise at year end.
If you expect to be profitable quickly, the conversation also includes whether an S-Corp election makes sense and when to evaluate it. The election has a deadline , missing it means another year in the wrong tax structure.
Entity formation and structure for California businesses at every stage.
LLC vs. S-Corp vs. Sole Proprietorship
The right structure depends on your income level, liability exposure, number of owners, and plans for the business. Delina does not give generic recommendations , she models the actual numbers for your situation.
Year-One Legal Checklist
New business owners in California need: entity formation, an EIN, an operating agreement or bylaws, an initial Statement of Information, and a compliance calendar. Delina handles all of it or advises on what you can handle yourself.
California-Specific Requirements
California imposes an $800 annual minimum franchise tax on LLCs, a gross receipts fee above $250,000 in revenue, and specific registration requirements for foreign entities. None of these are optional and all of them apply from year one.
Growth Stage Planning
The structure that works for a $50K business may not work at $250K. Delina advises on when to re-evaluate your structure and what the transition looks like , before the wrong structure has been in place long enough to create real problems.
What most people want to know.
What does a business structure attorney do?
A business structure attorney advises on which legal entity is right for your business, handles the formation documents, and makes sure the structure is set up correctly from a legal and tax perspective. The goal is not just to file paperwork , it is to make sure the entity you form does what you think it does.
Do I need a lawyer to choose a business structure?
You need someone who understands both the legal and tax implications for your specific situation. An LLC that is right for a solo freelancer may not be right for a two-partner business with outside investment. The structure you choose affects liability, taxes, fundraising options, and exit. A one-time consultation with an attorney who understands all of these dimensions is significantly cheaper than fixing the wrong structure after two years.
What is the best business structure for a California new business?
There is no universal answer. LLC is the most common starting point because of its flexibility and liability protection. S-Corp election makes sense once net income exceeds $80,000 to $100,000. C-Corp is appropriate for venture-backed startups. Sole proprietorship provides no liability protection and should generally be avoided. Delina models the actual implications before recommending anything.
Further reading on llc & entity.
Can I create an LLC for an online business?
LLC for online store: yes, you can form one, and you probably should. Learn what it actually takes to do it right before you file anything.
Do you file your LLC business and personal taxes together?
Do you have to pay the $800 California LLC fee every year?
How much does it cost to start an LLC in California?
Ready to build your business on the right legal foundation?
Delina models the actual implications of each entity structure for your specific income, risk profile, and business plan. Tell us your situation, your options before formation , or to fix a structure that was never right.
Get Started →