Business Formation Attorneys in/near San Antonio
Helotes, TX · Member since 2015 · 18 posts · 3 votes
Hello my name is Seth. I am looking for an Attorney to help with setting up my Real Estate Investment Company. I live in San Antonio and would prefer someone close, but is not a necessity. I am not from San Antonio so if any has any recommendations or if you yourself are an Attorney that could help, please message me. Thank you in advance for the replies.
See the agents BiggerPockets members work with in San Antonio, TX.
See agentsJust do your LLC on your own. I've done it 1000000000000 times. It takes 10 min (okay, 20 min the first time). Same with an IRS EIN. That takes maybe 3 or 4 minutes. EIN is free, the LLC costs $300 (state fee). No reason to pay an attorney. It will literally take you less time to do it yourself then to ask here how to do it and the time to then call attorneys.
I can't speak for California entities, but in TX, filing an LLC using the state-provided forms provides the bare minimum protections. There's a lot more a competent lawyer can do in LLC formations.
I know a guy. Will send you an email real quick.
If you have not done a few wholesales and/or rehabs I would not recommend getting an entity set up just quite yet. Most people realize that running a business in addition to working their own job is too much. If you really think that you need to set up a business, do it after a few deals.
I have used Janet Drewry of the Law Office of Janet M. Drewry to set up most of my entities. I have also recommended her to several clients. All have been happy. PM if you'd like her phone an email.
Janet M. Drewry
Law Office of Janet M. Drewry
11122 Wurzbach Road, Suite 104
San Antonio, Texas 78230
What @Rick Pozos said. Do some deals, earn some money, then get an entity. If this isn't for you, an LLC will just go to waste.
I moved to Georgetown in June (home office), just up 35 from you, and have a main office in Houston where most of the daily work is done. Let me know if I can help.
Just do your LLC on your own. I've done it 1000000000000 times. It takes 10 min (okay, 20 min the first time). Same with an IRS EIN. That takes maybe 3 or 4 minutes. EIN is free, the LLC costs $300 (state fee). No reason to pay an attorney. It will literally take you less time to do it yourself then to ask here how to do it and the time to then call attorneys.
@Seth Elliott: Spending the money in forming an LLC, then not using it. If you fail to make the required filings (typically, a "no taxes due" and information filing), the state will administratively close your entity.
@Cody L.: sure, if it is plain vanilla entity, by yourself, then you are using the default operating agreement in the Texas Business Organizations Code. If you involve anyone other than a spouse, there are issues to consider. Your advice is what we call "full employment" in the legal field, much like Legal Zoom, internet forms (cough-BP-cough), and stock agreements sold at big box office supply stores.
Just do your LLC on your own. I've done it 1000000000000 times. It takes 10 min (okay, 20 min the first time). Same with an IRS EIN. That takes maybe 3 or 4 minutes. EIN is free, the LLC costs $300 (state fee). No reason to pay an attorney. It will literally take you less time to do it yourself then to ask here how to do it and the time to then call attorneys.
I can't speak for California entities, but in TX, filing an LLC using the state-provided forms provides the bare minimum protections. There's a lot more a competent lawyer can do in LLC formations.
Just do your LLC on your own. I've done it 1000000000000 times. It takes 10 min (okay, 20 min the first time). Same with an IRS EIN. That takes maybe 3 or 4 minutes. EIN is free, the LLC costs $300 (state fee). No reason to pay an attorney. It will literally take you less time to do it yourself then to ask here how to do it and the time to then call attorneys.
I can't speak for California entities, but in TX, filing an LLC using the state-provided forms provides the bare minimum protections. There's a lot more a competent lawyer can do in LLC formations.
I can't speak for California entities either. I've done only Texas ones, which is what I was referring to.
Those services that get your LLC don't do your operating agreement or anything like that. They simply file with the SoS and get your cert of formation/filing.
Because I don't know what I don't know -- can you specifically tell me what a competent lawyer does in regards to filing an LLC with SoS that gives you more protections (and what more protections entails)?
Just do your LLC on your own. I've done it 1000000000000 times. It takes 10 min (okay, 20 min the first time). Same with an IRS EIN. That takes maybe 3 or 4 minutes. EIN is free, the LLC costs $300 (state fee). No reason to pay an attorney. It will literally take you less time to do it yourself then to ask here how to do it and the time to then call attorneys.
I can't speak for California entities, but in TX, filing an LLC using the state-provided forms provides the bare minimum protections. There's a lot more a competent lawyer can do in LLC formations.
I can't speak for California entities either. I've done only Texas ones, which is what I was referring to.
Those services that get your LLC don't do your operating agreement or anything like that. They simply file with the SoS and get your cert of formation/filing.
Because I don't know what I don't know -- can you specifically tell me what a competent lawyer does in regards to filing an LLC with SoS that gives you more protections (and what more protections entails)?
1) Customized strong certificate of formation that does more than the state form, 2) Customized strong operating agreement, and 3) protections available vary on taxation choice of entity, so this needs to be handled pre-filing.
Just do your LLC on your own. I've done it 1000000000000 times. It takes 10 min (okay, 20 min the first time). Same with an IRS EIN. That takes maybe 3 or 4 minutes. EIN is free, the LLC costs $300 (state fee). No reason to pay an attorney. It will literally take you less time to do it yourself then to ask here how to do it and the time to then call attorneys.
I can't speak for California entities, but in TX, filing an LLC using the state-provided forms provides the bare minimum protections. There's a lot more a competent lawyer can do in LLC formations.
I can't speak for California entities either. I've done only Texas ones, which is what I was referring to.
Those services that get your LLC don't do your operating agreement or anything like that. They simply file with the SoS and get your cert of formation/filing.
Because I don't know what I don't know -- can you specifically tell me what a competent lawyer does in regards to filing an LLC with SoS that gives you more protections (and what more protections entails)?
1) Customized strong certificate of formation that does more than the state form, 2) Customized strong operating agreement, and 3) protections available vary on taxation choice of entity, so this needs to be handled pre-filing.
Yeah, I have my op agreement that my attorney helped and I've done 'fill in the blank' with my new LLC name since. But in terms of the cert of formation, I didn't realize there was a 'different' way. My attorney told me to just do that and he'd do my op agreement (this was back when I was doing my first one). I've done them ever since and I've honestly done 30+.
Just do your LLC on your own. I've done it 1000000000000 times. It takes 10 min (okay, 20 min the first time). Same with an IRS EIN. That takes maybe 3 or 4 minutes. EIN is free, the LLC costs $300 (state fee). No reason to pay an attorney. It will literally take you less time to do it yourself then to ask here how to do it and the time to then call attorneys.
I can't speak for California entities, but in TX, filing an LLC using the state-provided forms provides the bare minimum protections. There's a lot more a competent lawyer can do in LLC formations.
I can't speak for California entities either. I've done only Texas ones, which is what I was referring to.
Those services that get your LLC don't do your operating agreement or anything like that. They simply file with the SoS and get your cert of formation/filing.
Because I don't know what I don't know -- can you specifically tell me what a competent lawyer does in regards to filing an LLC with SoS that gives you more protections (and what more protections entails)?
1) Customized strong certificate of formation that does more than the state form, 2) Customized strong operating agreement, and 3) protections available vary on taxation choice of entity, so this needs to be handled pre-filing.
Yeah, I have my op agreement that my attorney helped and I've done 'fill in the blank' with my new LLC name since. But in terms of the cert of formation, I didn't realize there was a 'different' way. My attorney told me to just do that and he'd do my op agreement (this was back when I was doing my first one). I've done them ever since and I've honestly done 30+.
Here's a secret about lawyers: I'd suspect the vast majority of lawyers who prepare "wills" couldn't explain to you in detail how to draft a will to handle the generation skipping transfer tax, which pops up quite often even for clients who won't otherwise owe estate tax. They think that the "form" will they got four years ago is still great for everyone. (Hint: it's not, and could create thousands to millions in tax liabilities in certain scenarios.)
Like any profession there are some excellent lawyers, a bunch of average lawyers, and then some bad apples at the bottom.
And my opinion is that the average lawyer in TX that claims to do LLCs simply fills out the bare-bones state form or use one of the LLC formation 'services' and just charge a markup to the client. Your better LLC lawyers won't be using the bare-bones state form. And whether you've done it 30 or 3,000 times doesn't change anything. That just shows you know where to send the paperwork and pay the SoS. Further, (I've seen this soo many times), many DIY investors think they're forming a series LLC, but they didn't do it correctly, and accordingly have no series LLC.
Just do your LLC on your own. I've done it 1000000000000 times. It takes 10 min (okay, 20 min the first time). Same with an IRS EIN. That takes maybe 3 or 4 minutes. EIN is free, the LLC costs $300 (state fee). No reason to pay an attorney. It will literally take you less time to do it yourself then to ask here how to do it and the time to then call attorneys.
I can't speak for California entities, but in TX, filing an LLC using the state-provided forms provides the bare minimum protections. There's a lot more a competent lawyer can do in LLC formations.
I can't speak for California entities either. I've done only Texas ones, which is what I was referring to.
Those services that get your LLC don't do your operating agreement or anything like that. They simply file with the SoS and get your cert of formation/filing.
Because I don't know what I don't know -- can you specifically tell me what a competent lawyer does in regards to filing an LLC with SoS that gives you more protections (and what more protections entails)?
1) Customized strong certificate of formation that does more than the state form, 2) Customized strong operating agreement, and 3) protections available vary on taxation choice of entity, so this needs to be handled pre-filing.
Yeah, I have my op agreement that my attorney helped and I've done 'fill in the blank' with my new LLC name since. But in terms of the cert of formation, I didn't realize there was a 'different' way. My attorney told me to just do that and he'd do my op agreement (this was back when I was doing my first one). I've done them ever since and I've honestly done 30+.
Here's a secret about lawyers: I'd suspect the vast majority of lawyers who prepare "wills" couldn't explain to you in detail how to draft a will to handle the generation skipping transfer tax, which pops up quite often even for clients who won't otherwise owe estate tax. They think that the "form" will they got four years ago is still great for everyone. (Hint: it's not, and could create thousands to millions in tax liabilities in certain scenarios.)
Like any profession there are some excellent lawyers, a bunch of average lawyers, and then some bad apples at the bottom.
And my opinion is that the average lawyer in TX that claims to do LLCs simply fills out the bare-bones state form or use one of the LLC formation 'services' and just charge a markup to the client. Your better LLC lawyers won't be using the bare-bones state form. And whether you've done it 30 or 3,000 times doesn't change anything. That just shows you know where to send the paperwork and pay the SoS. Further, (I've seen this soo many times), many DIY investors think they're forming a series LLC, but they didn't do it correctly, and accordingly have no series LLC.
Cool. Best of luck to you in your business. Thanks.