{"id":4912,"date":"2021-08-11T16:11:41","date_gmt":"2021-08-11T21:11:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/smallbusiness\/incorporation-and-legal-structures\/what-is-an-unincorporated-organization.html"},"modified":"2025-10-16T16:54:00","modified_gmt":"2025-10-16T21:54:00","slug":"what-is-an-unincorporated-organization","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/smallbusiness\/incorporation-and-legal-structures\/what-is-an-unincorporated-organization.html","title":{"rendered":"What Is an Unincorporated Organization?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"fl-sectionWithSidebar fl-container fl-flex fl-flex-wrap fl-gap30  wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 fl-sectionWithSidebar fl-container fl-flex fl-flex-wrap fl-gap30\">\n<div class=\"fl-section-main fl-page-articles fl-section-main fl-section-main-full-width\"><h1 class=\"fl-no-margin-top\">What Is an Unincorporated Organization?<\/h1>\n\n<section class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline\">\n    <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-content\">\n                    By <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/linda-long-jd\/\">Linda Long, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by <a\n                href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/catherine-hodder-esq\/\">Catherine Hodder, Esq.<\/a>\n                | Last updated\n        <time>\n                            October 16, 2025\n                    <\/time>\n    <\/div>\n\n            <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-editorial-note fl-text-sm\">\n            <p>Editorial Note: We earn a commission from affiliate partner links on FindLaw. Commissions do not affect the editorial integrity of our legal content.<\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    \n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-legally-reviewed\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Legally Reviewed\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team.html\">FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/company-history\/editorial-policy.html\">our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n\n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-fast-checked\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Fact-Checked\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/contributing-authors.html\">contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/?fli=bylinelink\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n    <div class=\"fl-callout-text article-blockquote\">\n        <p>An <span data-action=\"click-&gt;dropdown#toggle\" data-dropdown-menu-id-param=\"menu_draft_term_54220677\" data-dropdown-placement-param=\"top\" data-dropdown-disable-toggle-aria-param=\"true\" data-term-id=\"54220677\">unincorporated organization<\/span> is a <span data-action=\"click-&gt;dropdown#toggle\" data-dropdown-menu-id-param=\"menu_draft_term_54220671\" data-dropdown-placement-param=\"top\" data-dropdown-disable-toggle-aria-param=\"true\" data-term-id=\"54220671\">group of people<\/span> who have come together for a <span data-action=\"click-&gt;dropdown#toggle\" data-dropdown-menu-id-param=\"menu_draft_term_54220700\" data-dropdown-placement-param=\"top\" data-dropdown-disable-toggle-aria-param=\"true\" data-term-id=\"54220700\">common purpose<\/span> to start a business, a nonprofit, set out on a joint venture, or for some other lawful purpose without filing formal paperwork to create a <span data-action=\"click-&gt;dropdown#toggle\" data-dropdown-menu-id-param=\"menu_draft_term_54220668\" data-dropdown-placement-param=\"top\" data-dropdown-disable-toggle-aria-param=\"true\" data-term-id=\"54220668\">separate legal entity<\/span>. The members are personally liable for the organization\u2019s debts and legal obligations.<\/p>\n\n    <\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Need help with <span data-action=\"click-&gt;dropdown#toggle\" data-dropdown-menu-id-param=\"menu_draft_term_54220685\" data-dropdown-placement-param=\"top\" data-dropdown-disable-toggle-aria-param=\"true\" data-term-id=\"54220685\">business formation<\/span>? <\/strong><a class=\"in-cell-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/forms\/business-formation.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong><u>Our trusted partner LegalZoom makes it easy\u2014packages start at $0 + state <span data-action=\"click-&gt;dropdown#toggle\" data-dropdown-menu-id-param=\"menu_draft_term_54220690\" data-dropdown-placement-param=\"top\" data-dropdown-disable-toggle-aria-param=\"true\" data-term-id=\"54220690\">filing fees<\/span>.<\/u><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<h2>Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<p>Unincorporated associations have an informal structure.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>General partnerships, sole proprietorships, and nonprofit associations are common types of <span data-action=\"click-&gt;dropdown#toggle\" data-dropdown-menu-id-param=\"menu_draft_term_54220677\" data-dropdown-placement-param=\"top\" data-dropdown-disable-toggle-aria-param=\"true\" data-term-id=\"54220677\">unincorporated organizations<\/span>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>If a business remains an <span data-action=\"click-&gt;dropdown#toggle\" data-dropdown-menu-id-param=\"menu_draft_term_54220677\" data-dropdown-placement-param=\"top\" data-dropdown-disable-toggle-aria-param=\"true\" data-term-id=\"54220677\">unincorporated organization<\/span>, the owners may be personally liable for business debts, lawsuits, and obligations.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>How Are <span data-action=\"click-&gt;dropdown#toggle\" data-dropdown-menu-id-param=\"menu_draft_term_54220677\" data-dropdown-placement-param=\"top\" data-dropdown-disable-toggle-aria-param=\"true\" data-term-id=\"54220677\">Unincorporated Organizations<\/span> Structured?<\/h2>\n<p><span data-action=\"click-&gt;dropdown#toggle\" data-dropdown-menu-id-param=\"menu_draft_term_54220677\" data-dropdown-placement-param=\"top\" data-dropdown-disable-toggle-aria-param=\"true\" data-term-id=\"54220677\">Unincorporated organizations<\/span> or associations are informal.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/smallbusiness\/incorporation-and-legal-structures.html\">Incorporation<\/a>\u00a0happens when a business files the paperwork required by <span data-action=\"click-&gt;dropdown#toggle\" data-dropdown-menu-id-param=\"menu_draft_term_54220681\" data-dropdown-placement-param=\"top\" data-dropdown-disable-toggle-aria-param=\"true\" data-term-id=\"54220681\">state law<\/span> to form a corporation with the <span data-action=\"click-&gt;dropdown#toggle\" data-dropdown-menu-id-param=\"menu_draft_term_54220675\" data-dropdown-placement-param=\"top\" data-dropdown-disable-toggle-aria-param=\"true\" data-term-id=\"54220675\">secretary of state<\/span>. But an <span data-action=\"click-&gt;dropdown#toggle\" data-dropdown-menu-id-param=\"menu_draft_term_54220677\" data-dropdown-placement-param=\"top\" data-dropdown-disable-toggle-aria-param=\"true\" data-term-id=\"54220677\">unincorporated organization<\/span> has not filed any documents with the <span data-action=\"click-&gt;dropdown#toggle\" data-dropdown-menu-id-param=\"menu_draft_term_54220675\" data-dropdown-placement-param=\"top\" data-dropdown-disable-toggle-aria-param=\"true\" data-term-id=\"54220675\">secretary of state<\/span>.<\/p>\n<p>An <span data-action=\"click-&gt;dropdown#toggle\" data-dropdown-menu-id-param=\"menu_draft_term_54220677\" data-dropdown-placement-param=\"top\" data-dropdown-disable-toggle-aria-param=\"true\" data-term-id=\"54220677\">unincorporated organization<\/span> is also skeletal. The only requirement is that people come together to accomplish a <span data-action=\"click-&gt;dropdown#toggle\" data-dropdown-menu-id-param=\"menu_draft_term_54220700\" data-dropdown-placement-param=\"top\" data-dropdown-disable-toggle-aria-param=\"true\" data-term-id=\"54220700\">common purpose<\/span>. Although it is not a formal business entity, it may use <span data-action=\"click-&gt;dropdown#toggle\" data-dropdown-menu-id-param=\"menu_draft_term_54220672\" data-dropdown-placement-param=\"top\" data-dropdown-disable-toggle-aria-param=\"true\" data-term-id=\"54220672\">bylaws<\/span> to make day-to-day decisions.<\/p>\n<p><span data-action=\"click-&gt;dropdown#toggle\" data-dropdown-menu-id-param=\"menu_draft_term_54220672\" data-dropdown-placement-param=\"top\" data-dropdown-disable-toggle-aria-param=\"true\" data-term-id=\"54220672\">Bylaws<\/span> usually include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<p>The association\u2019s name,<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>The association\u2019s purposes<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>Officers and terms of each officer<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>Decisions regarding association funds<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Unincorporated associations do not have to file <span data-action=\"click-&gt;dropdown#toggle\" data-dropdown-menu-id-param=\"menu_draft_term_54220706\" data-dropdown-placement-param=\"top\" data-dropdown-disable-toggle-aria-param=\"true\" data-term-id=\"54220706\">annual reports<\/span> with the <span data-action=\"click-&gt;dropdown#toggle\" data-dropdown-menu-id-param=\"menu_draft_term_54220675\" data-dropdown-placement-param=\"top\" data-dropdown-disable-toggle-aria-param=\"true\" data-term-id=\"54220675\">secretary of state<\/span>.<\/p>\n<h2>Types of <span data-action=\"click-&gt;dropdown#toggle\" data-dropdown-menu-id-param=\"menu_draft_term_54220677\" data-dropdown-placement-param=\"top\" data-dropdown-disable-toggle-aria-param=\"true\" data-term-id=\"54220677\">Unincorporated Organizations<\/span><\/h2>\n<h3>General Partnership<\/h3>\n<p>One common type of unincorporated association is a\u00a0general partnership. A\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/smallbusiness\/incorporation-and-legal-structures\/the-small-business-partnership-general-and-limited-partnerships.html\">general partnership<\/a>\u00a0is formed when two or more people come together to carry on a business <span data-action=\"click-&gt;dropdown#toggle\" data-dropdown-menu-id-param=\"menu_draft_term_54220674\" data-dropdown-placement-param=\"top\" data-dropdown-disable-toggle-aria-param=\"true\" data-term-id=\"54220674\">for profit<\/span>. General partnerships also have no formal paperwork requirements.<\/p>\n<h3>Sole Proprietorship<\/h3>\n<p>Another common unincorporated association is a<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/smallbusiness\/incorporation-and-legal-structures\/sole-proprietorships.html\">\u00a0sole proprietorship<\/a>. A sole proprietorship is what people typically think of when they think of someone owning their own business. A sole proprietorship also does not require formalities.<\/p>\n<h3>Nonprofit Associations<\/h3>\n<p>Additionally, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/smallbusiness\/incorporation-and-legal-structures\/non-profit-organizations.html\"><span data-action=\"click-&gt;dropdown#toggle\" data-dropdown-menu-id-param=\"menu_draft_term_54220673\" data-dropdown-placement-param=\"top\" data-dropdown-disable-toggle-aria-param=\"true\" data-term-id=\"54220673\">nonprofit organizations<\/span><\/a>\u00a0may operate as <span data-action=\"click-&gt;dropdown#toggle\" data-dropdown-menu-id-param=\"menu_draft_term_54220670\" data-dropdown-placement-param=\"top\" data-dropdown-disable-toggle-aria-param=\"true\" data-term-id=\"54220670\">unincorporated nonprofit associations<\/span>. As its name suggests, a <span data-action=\"click-&gt;dropdown#toggle\" data-dropdown-menu-id-param=\"menu_draft_term_54220673\" data-dropdown-placement-param=\"top\" data-dropdown-disable-toggle-aria-param=\"true\" data-term-id=\"54220673\">nonprofit organization<\/span> has a <span data-action=\"click-&gt;dropdown#toggle\" data-dropdown-menu-id-param=\"menu_draft_term_54220696\" data-dropdown-placement-param=\"top\" data-dropdown-disable-toggle-aria-param=\"true\" data-term-id=\"54220696\">nonprofit purpose<\/span>. Examples of <a href=\"https:\/\/legalzoomcominc.pxf.io\/c\/4851649\/2115293\/26746?subId1=what-is-an-unincorporated-organization-%20wct2509242056190e9ao&amp;auto-aff-non-profit\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">nonprofits<\/a> include churches, social organizations, or educational foundations. However, an unincorporated nonprofit may have to register its activities with the state <span data-action=\"click-&gt;dropdown#toggle\" data-dropdown-menu-id-param=\"menu_draft_term_54220680\" data-dropdown-placement-param=\"top\" data-dropdown-disable-toggle-aria-param=\"true\" data-term-id=\"54220680\">attorney general<\/span>\u2019s office.<\/p>\n<h2>How Are <span data-action=\"click-&gt;dropdown#toggle\" data-dropdown-menu-id-param=\"menu_draft_term_54220677\" data-dropdown-placement-param=\"top\" data-dropdown-disable-toggle-aria-param=\"true\" data-term-id=\"54220677\">Unincorporated Organizations<\/span> Taxed?<\/h2>\n<p><span data-action=\"click-&gt;dropdown#toggle\" data-dropdown-menu-id-param=\"menu_draft_term_54220677\" data-dropdown-placement-param=\"top\" data-dropdown-disable-toggle-aria-param=\"true\" data-term-id=\"54220677\">Unincorporated organizations<\/span> do not pay separate <span data-action=\"click-&gt;dropdown#toggle\" data-dropdown-menu-id-param=\"menu_draft_term_54220687\" data-dropdown-placement-param=\"top\" data-dropdown-disable-toggle-aria-param=\"true\" data-term-id=\"54220687\">corporation taxes<\/span>. Instead the net profits go on the individual members\u2019 personal <span data-action=\"click-&gt;dropdown#toggle\" data-dropdown-menu-id-param=\"menu_draft_term_54220684\" data-dropdown-placement-param=\"top\" data-dropdown-disable-toggle-aria-param=\"true\" data-term-id=\"54220684\">income tax<\/span> returns filed with the <span data-action=\"click-&gt;dropdown#toggle\" data-dropdown-menu-id-param=\"menu_draft_term_54220689\" data-dropdown-placement-param=\"top\" data-dropdown-disable-toggle-aria-param=\"true\" data-term-id=\"54220689\">Internal Revenue Service<\/span> (<span data-action=\"click-&gt;dropdown#toggle\" data-dropdown-menu-id-param=\"menu_draft_term_54220698\" data-dropdown-placement-param=\"top\" data-dropdown-disable-toggle-aria-param=\"true\" data-term-id=\"54220698\">IRS<\/span>).<\/p>\n<h2>What Are the Risks of Remaining Unincorporated?<\/h2>\n<p>An unincorporated association is not a <span data-action=\"click-&gt;dropdown#toggle\" data-dropdown-menu-id-param=\"menu_draft_term_54220668\" data-dropdown-placement-param=\"top\" data-dropdown-disable-toggle-aria-param=\"true\" data-term-id=\"54220668\">separate legal entity<\/span> from its members. That means the <span data-action=\"click-&gt;dropdown#toggle\" data-dropdown-menu-id-param=\"menu_draft_term_54220697\" data-dropdown-placement-param=\"top\" data-dropdown-disable-toggle-aria-param=\"true\" data-term-id=\"54220697\">members of the association<\/span> are personally liable for business debts and loans and lawsuits.<\/p>\n<h3>Business Debts and Loans<\/h3>\n<p>If you take out a loan for your unincorporated association, you are essentially taking out a loan in your <span data-action=\"click-&gt;dropdown#toggle\" data-dropdown-menu-id-param=\"menu_draft_term_54220676\" data-dropdown-placement-param=\"top\" data-dropdown-disable-toggle-aria-param=\"true\" data-term-id=\"54220676\">own name<\/span>, and you will be responsible for repaying the loan.<\/p>\n<p>Incorporating eliminates the risk of <span data-action=\"click-&gt;dropdown#toggle\" data-dropdown-menu-id-param=\"menu_draft_term_54220682\" data-dropdown-placement-param=\"top\" data-dropdown-disable-toggle-aria-param=\"true\" data-term-id=\"54220682\">personal liability<\/span>. After incorporation, the business is a <span data-action=\"click-&gt;dropdown#toggle\" data-dropdown-menu-id-param=\"menu_draft_term_54220668\" data-dropdown-placement-param=\"top\" data-dropdown-disable-toggle-aria-param=\"true\" data-term-id=\"54220668\">separate legal entity<\/span>.<\/p>\n<h3>Lawsuits<\/h3>\n<p>Remember, since incorporation has not occurred, the <span data-action=\"click-&gt;dropdown#toggle\" data-dropdown-menu-id-param=\"menu_draft_term_54220677\" data-dropdown-placement-param=\"top\" data-dropdown-disable-toggle-aria-param=\"true\" data-term-id=\"54220677\">unincorporated organization<\/span> or association has no legal existence separate from its owners. Therefore suing the business is essentially the same as suing the <span data-action=\"click-&gt;dropdown#toggle\" data-dropdown-menu-id-param=\"menu_draft_term_54220702\" data-dropdown-placement-param=\"top\" data-dropdown-disable-toggle-aria-param=\"true\" data-term-id=\"54220702\">business owner<\/span> personally.<\/p>\n<p>There is no <span data-action=\"click-&gt;dropdown#toggle\" data-dropdown-menu-id-param=\"menu_draft_term_54220669\" data-dropdown-placement-param=\"top\" data-dropdown-disable-toggle-aria-param=\"true\" data-term-id=\"54220669\">limited liability<\/span> for <span data-action=\"click-&gt;dropdown#toggle\" data-dropdown-menu-id-param=\"menu_draft_term_54220677\" data-dropdown-placement-param=\"top\" data-dropdown-disable-toggle-aria-param=\"true\" data-term-id=\"54220677\">unincorporated organizations<\/span>.<\/p>\n<h2>Alternatives To <span data-action=\"click-&gt;dropdown#toggle\" data-dropdown-menu-id-param=\"menu_draft_term_54220677\" data-dropdown-placement-param=\"top\" data-dropdown-disable-toggle-aria-param=\"true\" data-term-id=\"54220677\">Unincorporated Organizations<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>You may want to discuss how to protect your personal assets from your business activities with an <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/business-commercial-law\/?fli=dcta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">experienced business lawyer<\/a>. They can discuss several alternatives that provide <span data-action=\"click-&gt;dropdown#toggle\" data-dropdown-menu-id-param=\"menu_draft_term_54220682\" data-dropdown-placement-param=\"top\" data-dropdown-disable-toggle-aria-param=\"true\" data-term-id=\"54220682\">personal <\/span><span data-action=\"click-&gt;dropdown#toggle\" data-dropdown-menu-id-param=\"menu_draft_term_54220679\" data-dropdown-placement-param=\"top\" data-dropdown-disable-toggle-aria-param=\"true\" data-term-id=\"54220679\">liability<\/span><span data-action=\"click-&gt;dropdown#toggle\" data-dropdown-menu-id-param=\"menu_draft_term_54220679\" data-dropdown-placement-param=\"top\" data-dropdown-disable-toggle-aria-param=\"true\" data-term-id=\"54220679\"> protection<\/span>, such as:<\/p>\n<p><strong>Corporation<\/strong> &#8211; A corporation is a legal entity that separates the <span data-action=\"click-&gt;dropdown#toggle\" data-dropdown-menu-id-param=\"menu_draft_term_54220702\" data-dropdown-placement-param=\"top\" data-dropdown-disable-toggle-aria-param=\"true\" data-term-id=\"54220702\">business owner<\/span> from the debts and obligations of the business giving the owner <span data-action=\"click-&gt;dropdown#toggle\" data-dropdown-menu-id-param=\"menu_draft_term_54220679\" data-dropdown-placement-param=\"top\" data-dropdown-disable-toggle-aria-param=\"true\" data-term-id=\"54220679\">liability protection<\/span>.<\/p>\n<p><strong><span data-action=\"click-&gt;dropdown#toggle\" data-dropdown-menu-id-param=\"menu_draft_term_54220669\" data-dropdown-placement-param=\"top\" data-dropdown-disable-toggle-aria-param=\"true\" data-term-id=\"54220669\">Limited Liability<\/span> Company (LLC) <\/strong>&#8211; An LLC is a <span data-action=\"click-&gt;dropdown#toggle\" data-dropdown-menu-id-param=\"menu_draft_term_54220688\" data-dropdown-placement-param=\"top\" data-dropdown-disable-toggle-aria-param=\"true\" data-term-id=\"54220688\">business structure<\/span> that provides the <span data-action=\"click-&gt;dropdown#toggle\" data-dropdown-menu-id-param=\"menu_draft_term_54220669\" data-dropdown-placement-param=\"top\" data-dropdown-disable-toggle-aria-param=\"true\" data-term-id=\"54220669\">limited liability<\/span> of a corporation and pass-through taxation of an <span data-action=\"click-&gt;dropdown#toggle\" data-dropdown-menu-id-param=\"menu_draft_term_54220677\" data-dropdown-placement-param=\"top\" data-dropdown-disable-toggle-aria-param=\"true\" data-term-id=\"54220677\">unincorporated organization<\/span> such as a sole proprietorship or general partnership.<\/p>\n<p><strong><span data-action=\"click-&gt;dropdown#toggle\" data-dropdown-menu-id-param=\"menu_draft_term_54220669\" data-dropdown-placement-param=\"top\" data-dropdown-disable-toggle-aria-param=\"true\" data-term-id=\"54220669\">Limited Liability<\/span> Partnership (LLP)<\/strong> &#8211; A <span data-action=\"click-&gt;dropdown#toggle\" data-dropdown-menu-id-param=\"menu_draft_term_54220669\" data-dropdown-placement-param=\"top\" data-dropdown-disable-toggle-aria-param=\"true\" data-term-id=\"54220669\">limited liability<\/span> partnership is similar to a general partnership where each party has limited <span data-action=\"click-&gt;dropdown#toggle\" data-dropdown-menu-id-param=\"menu_draft_term_54220682\" data-dropdown-placement-param=\"top\" data-dropdown-disable-toggle-aria-param=\"true\" data-term-id=\"54220682\">personal liability<\/span> for the debts of the partnership.<\/p>\n<p>Or if you want to form a business entity such as a corporation or LLC, you can <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/forms\/business-formation.html\">use our trusted partner, LegalZoom for your <span data-action=\"click-&gt;dropdown#toggle\" data-dropdown-menu-id-param=\"menu_draft_term_54220685\" data-dropdown-placement-param=\"top\" data-dropdown-disable-toggle-aria-param=\"true\" data-term-id=\"54220685\">business formation<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>Internal Links<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/smallbusiness\/incorporation-and-legal-structures\/how-to-form-a-non-profit.html\">How to Form a Nonprofit<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/smallbusiness\/incorporation-and-legal-structures\/types-of-business-structures.html\">Types of Business Structures<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"was-this-helpful\">\n    <div\n            class=\"was-this-helpful__question-container\"\n            aria-labelledby=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n            role=\"group\"\n    >\n        <span\n                id=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__question fl-text-lg-bold\"\n        >Was this helpful?<\/span>\n        <button\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__button fl-text-sm\"\n                aria-label=\"Yes\"\n                value=\"yes\"\n        >\n            <span class=\"was-this-helpful__button-text fl-text-bold\">Yes<\/span>\n            <i class=\"was-this-helpful__button-icon\">\n                <svg width=\"22\" height=\"22\" viewBox=\"0 0 22 22\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                    <g id=\"thumbs-up\" clip-path=\"url(#clip0_604_3418)\">\n                        <path id=\"Vector\"\n                              d=\"M6 21H3C2.46957 21 1.96086 20.7893 1.58579 20.4142C1.21071 20.0391 1 19.5304 1 19V12C1 11.4696 1.21071 10.9609 1.58579 10.5858C1.96086 10.2107 2.46957 10 3 10H6M13 8V4C13 3.20435 12.6839 2.44129 12.1213 1.87868C11.5587 1.31607 10.7956 1 10 1L6 10V21H17.28C17.7623 21.0055 18.2304 20.8364 18.5979 20.524C18.9654 20.2116 19.2077 19.7769 19.28 19.3L20.66 10.3C20.7035 10.0134 20.6842 9.72068 20.6033 9.44225C20.5225 9.16382 20.3821 8.90629 20.1919 8.68751C20.0016 8.46873 19.7661 8.29393 19.5016 8.17522C19.2371 8.0565 18.9499 7.99672 18.66 8H13Z\"\n                              stroke=\"#666666\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\"\n                              stroke-linejoin=\"round\"><\/path>\n                    <\/g>\n                    <defs>\n                        <clipPath id=\"clip0_604_3418\">\n                            <rect width=\"22\" height=\"22\" fill=\"white\"><\/rect>\n                        <\/clipPath>\n                    <\/defs>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/i>\n        <\/button>\n        <button\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__button fl-text-sm\"\n                aria-label=\"No\"\n                value=\"no\"\n        >\n            <span class=\"was-this-helpful__button-text fl-text-bold\">No<\/span>\n            <i class=\"was-this-helpful__button-icon\">\n                <svg width=\"22\" height=\"22\" viewBox=\"0 0 22 22\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                    <g id=\"thumbs-down\" clip-path=\"url(#clip0_604_3423)\">\n                        <path id=\"Vector\"\n                              d=\"M16 0.999995H18.67C19.236 0.989986 19.7859 1.18813 20.2154 1.55681C20.645 1.9255 20.9242 2.43905 21 3V10C20.9242 10.5609 20.645 11.0745 20.2154 11.4432C19.7859 11.8119 19.236 12.01 18.67 12H16M9.00003 14V18C9.00003 18.7956 9.3161 19.5587 9.87871 20.1213C10.4413 20.6839 11.2044 21 12 21L16 12V0.999995H4.72003C4.2377 0.994543 3.76965 1.16359 3.40212 1.47599C3.0346 1.78839 2.79235 2.22309 2.72003 2.7L1.34003 11.7C1.29652 11.9866 1.31586 12.2793 1.39669 12.5577C1.47753 12.8362 1.61793 13.0937 1.80817 13.3125C1.99842 13.5313 2.23395 13.7061 2.49846 13.8248C2.76297 13.9435 3.05012 14.0033 3.34003 14H9.00003Z\"\n                              stroke=\"#666666\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\/>\n                    <\/g>\n                    <defs>\n                        <clipPath id=\"clip0_604_3423\">\n                            <rect width=\"22\" height=\"22\" fill=\"white\"\/>\n                        <\/clipPath>\n                    <\/defs>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/i>\n        <\/button>\n    <\/div>\n    <span class=\"was-this-helpful__taken-action fl-text-sm-bold\"><\/span>\n    <div class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-container\">\n        <div class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message\" role=\"status\">\n            <p class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message-text\"><\/p>\n        <\/div>\n        <form class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-form\">\n            <div class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback was-this-helpful__feedback--positive\">\n                <fieldset>\n                    <legend class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Why was this helpful?<\/legend>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--understandable\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"positive-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Easy to understand\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--understandable\"\n                        >Easy to understand<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--solved-problem\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"positive-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Solved my problem\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--solved-problem\"\n                        >Solved my problem<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--other\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"positive-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Other\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--other\"\n                        >Other<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/fieldset>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback was-this-helpful__feedback--negative\">\n                <fieldset>\n                    <legend class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Why was this not helpful?<\/legend>\n                    <div class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message\" role=\"status\">\n                        <p class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message-text\"><\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--missing-info\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Missing Information\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--missing-info\"\n                        >Missing the information I need<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--complicated\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Too complicated\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--complicated\"\n                        >Too complicated \/ too many steps<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--dated\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Out of date\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--dated\"\n                        >Out of date<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--negative-other\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Other\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--negative-other\"\n                        >Other<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/fieldset>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"was-this-helpful__form-buttons-container\">\n                <button\n                    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debts.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":41135,"featured_media":0,"parent":4798,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"app\/Http\/Controllers\/Templates\/ArticleWithBreadcrumbsController.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_stopmodifiedupdate":true,"_modified_date":"","_autodraft_ids":[],"_cloudinary_featured_overwrite":false,"_sb_is_suggestion_mode":false,"_sb_show_suggestion_boards":false,"_sb_show_comment_boards":false,"_sb_suggestion_history":"","_sb_update_block_changes":"","_is_real_time_mode":false,"_realtime_collaborators":"","footnotes":"","cf_checklist_status":[]},"categories":[2],"tags":[6,9],"state_laws_tags":[],"flmsa":[],"class_list":["post-4912","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","category-smallbusiness","tag-aff-corporation","tag-aff-llc"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4912","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/41135"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4912"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4912\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4798"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4912"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4912"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4912"},{"taxonomy":"state_laws_tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/state_laws_tags?post=4912"},{"taxonomy":"flmsa","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/flmsa?post=4912"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}