Business Formation Attorney in Houston, Texas
Houston, located in Harris County, is largest city in texas and major international hub. Our business formation services are tailored for the 2.3 million+ residents who call this Gulf Coast community home.
Houston at a Glance
Population
2.3 million+
County
Harris County
Local Economy
energy, healthcare (Texas Medical Center), aerospace, shipping
Growth
continued expansion as global city
Business Formation & Entity Services in Houston
Choosing the right business structure is one of the most important decisions you'll make as an entrepreneur. The entity you select affects personal liability protection, tax treatment, operational flexibility, and your ability to raise capital. As both a CPA and attorney, Darryl Pratt provides unique insight into both the legal and financial implications of your choice.
Limited Liability Company (LLC)
The most popular choice for small businesses. LLCs provide personal liability protection, tax flexibility (choose to be taxed as partnership, S-corp, or C-corp), and operational simplicity with fewer formalities than corporations.
Best for: Most small businesses, professional practices, real estate investors
Professional LLC (PLLC)
Required in Texas for licensed professionals like doctors, lawyers, CPAs, and engineers. Provides liability protection while meeting state licensing requirements.
Best for: Licensed professionals (physicians, dentists, attorneys, CPAs, architects, engineers)
Corporation (C-Corp)
Traditional corporate structure with shareholders, directors, and officers. Best for businesses seeking outside investment or planning to go public. Subject to double taxation.
Best for: Venture-backed startups, businesses planning IPO, companies with many shareholders
S-Corporation
A tax election (not an entity type) allowing pass-through taxation while maintaining corporate structure. Can provide payroll tax savings for profitable businesses.
Best for: Profitable businesses with active owners seeking tax optimization
Series LLC
Unique Texas structure allowing multiple 'series' with separate assets and liabilities under one umbrella LLC. Each series is protected from liabilities of other series.
Best for: Real estate investors with multiple properties, businesses with distinct product lines
Partnership
General partnerships have unlimited liability, but limited partnerships (LPs) and limited liability partnerships (LLPs) provide some protection. Often used for investment structures.
Best for: Investment entities, family wealth structures, certain professional firms
Who We Help in Houston
Our business formation services are tailored for the diverse Houston community, including highly diverse, large Indian-American community, international.
Indian Families
Specialized planning for Indian-American families navigating U.S. and international considerations
- Visa status implications for business ownership (H-1B, L-1, E-2)
- Forming U.S. entities while maintaining connections to India
Business Owners
Comprehensive legal services for business owners at every stage
- Choosing the right entity type for liability and tax purposes
- Protecting personal assets from business liabilities
Physicians
Specialized planning for physicians facing unique liability and financial situations
- Texas PLLC requirements for physicians
- Multi-physician practice structures
Dentists
Legal services tailored to dental practice owners and associates
- PLLC formation for Texas dental practices
- Associate agreements and paths to partnership
We also serve:
Texas LLC Formation
Texas is one of the best states for forming an LLC—no state income tax, strong asset protection laws, and straightforward formation requirements. We handle the entire process.
Consultation
We discuss your business, recommend the best structure, and gather formation information.
Name Availability
We verify your desired LLC name is available with the Texas Secretary of State.
Document Preparation
We prepare your Certificate of Formation and custom Operating Agreement.
State Filing
We file with the Secretary of State and monitor for approval.
EIN & Setup
We obtain your EIN and provide banking and compliance guidance.
Delivery
You receive your complete LLC package with all documents organized.
Texas Business Law Considerations
Understanding Texas-specific laws is crucial for Houston residents planning their business formation.
No State Income Tax
Texas has no personal or corporate income tax, making it attractive for business formation. The franchise tax applies only to larger businesses.
Series LLC Available
Texas is one of few states recognizing Series LLCs, allowing multiple protected 'series' under one entity—ideal for real estate investors.
Strong Charging Order Protection
Texas provides strong protection against creditors of LLC members, limiting them to a 'charging order' rather than seizing LLC interests.
PLLC Requirements
Licensed professionals must form PLLCs (or PCs) rather than standard LLCs. Each profession has specific requirements.
Assumed Name Certificates
If your LLC operates under a different name (DBA), you must file an assumed name certificate with the county.
Frequently Asked Questions About Business Formation in Houston
Get answers to common questions from Houston residents about business formation.
QDo I need an operating agreement for my Texas LLC?
Absolutely. While Texas doesn't legally require an operating agreement, operating without one is risky. Your operating agreement establishes ownership, management structure, profit distribution, and—critically—helps maintain liability protection. Banks also require it to open business accounts.
QWhat is a Series LLC and when should I use one?
A Series LLC allows you to create multiple 'series' within one LLC, each with separate assets and liabilities protected from the others. It's ideal for real estate investors (one series per property) or businesses with distinct lines. Each series has its own protection without the cost of multiple LLCs.
QWhat's the difference between an LLC and a corporation?
LLCs offer more flexibility in management and profit distribution, have fewer formalities (no required meetings/minutes), and can choose their tax treatment. Corporations have rigid structures but are better for raising outside investment. For most Houston small businesses, LLCs are the better choice.
QHow much does LLC formation cost in Houston?
Our LLC formation packages start at $799, which includes Certificate of Formation filing, custom Operating Agreement, EIN application, first year registered agent service, and initial resolutions. This is comparable to or less than LegalZoom's actual cost (after their upsells) but includes real legal advice and custom documents.
QShould I form an LLC or S-Corp?
This is actually the wrong question—S-Corp is a tax election, not an entity type. You can have an LLC that's taxed as an S-Corp. The real question is: would S-Corp tax treatment benefit you? Generally, if your business profits exceed $50,000-70,000 and you're actively involved, S-Corp taxation can provide payroll tax savings. We analyze your specific situation.
QHow long does it take to form an LLC in Texas?
Standard processing by the Texas Secretary of State takes 3-7 business days. We can request expedited processing (1-2 days) for urgent needs. You can begin operating as soon as your LLC is approved, though you'll want your operating agreement, EIN, and bank account in place.
Also Serving Nearby Gulf Coast Communities
In addition to Houston, we provide business formation services throughout Harris County and surrounding areas.
View all Texas cities we serve for Business Formation
Other Legal Services in Houston
Ready to Discuss Your Business Formation Needs?
Schedule a free consultation with our experienced team serving Houston and Harris County.