Creating a brand-new company takes a lot of legwork and legal work. If you want to make sure that the company will be viable in the long run, there are some things that you must pay attention to in the beginning. Paying attention to the paperwork and legal needs during the beginning of your business, you will save your self a lot of headaches later on. When setting up your company, here are three items to run by your business attorney before submitting your final business paperwork. 

1. Your articles of incorporation 

Every company will need to have articles of incorporation on file. The articles of incorporation will give information on the type of company that the business will be, the field of the business, and the individuals that are involved. This will need to be on file properly with the secretary of your state and it will also need to be on file with the bank if you open a business bank account. Have your attorney go over these documents and sign off on them to make sure they are legally sound. 

2. The company makeup

If you are not sure of the best formation for your company, an attorney will be able to let you know which is safest and less expensive. There are legal differences to corporations, limited liability companies, and nonprofits. Depending on the goals of your foundation and how you desire the financial aspect to work out, you may need to have one of these over the other. Your attorney can let you know which set up is best and give you the steps to go through to legally protect each entity. 

3. Filing a DBA

Doing business as your company name will take proper filing of a DBA certificate. In different states and counties, this may have a different cost. You may also need to file a doing business as under several different names in order to be sure that your legal business name and nickname is covered. Ask your attorney where to file a DBA and which names to select. Any legally trademarked names under your company will be a good place to start, as well as any professional name that you are known under. Once these are filed, you can sign contracts and legally binding documents under the name of your company without having to use your personal name. 

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