Chattanooga, Tennessee
Experienced business law representation to help you form, protect, and grow your company.
Choosing the right business structure and having proper legal documents in place are essential to protecting your personal assets and setting your company up for long-term success.
Your business entity affects your liability protection, tax obligations, and what happens during ownership transitions. We help you select the right structure, draft thorough operating documents, and plan for the future so your business is built on a solid legal foundation.
Whether you are launching a startup, buying into a partnership, or growing an established business, we provide tailored guidance based on your specific goals and circumstances.
We help you choose the right structure (LLC, S-Corp, C-Corp, partnership) based on your liability concerns, tax situation, and growth plans, then handle all filing and setup.
What's included:
Pricing: $800-$1,500 for basic formation including state fees. Complex structures start at $1,500.
Your operating agreement or bylaws protects your limited liability, controls decision-making, manages ownership transfers, and governs what happens if someone exits. Without one, Tennessee default rules apply and may not match your intentions.
Key provisions we draft:
Pricing: $1,500-$3,000 depending on number of members and complexity.
We draft and review contracts tailored to Tennessee law and your specific business needs, from client agreements to employment contracts.
Contract types we handle:
Pricing: Simple contracts $500-$1,000. Complex agreements $1,500-$3,500. Contract review $300-$800.
A well-structured succession plan ensures a smooth transition when you retire, become disabled, or pass away, protecting both your business and your family.
Succession planning components:
Pricing: Basic succession planning starts at $3,500. Comprehensive plans with multiple owners and complex structures $5,000-$10,000.
Forming an LLC is just the first step. We help you maintain proper separation between business and personal assets so your liability protection holds up when it matters.
Asset protection planning:
Pricing: Initial consultation and planning $1,000-$2,500. Ongoing compliance support $500-$1,500/year.
Tennessee requires an annual report ($300/year), and federal requirements and record-keeping are ongoing. We help you stay compliant so your liability protection remains intact.
Compliance support:
Pricing: Annual compliance package $500-$800/year. À la carte services available.
Starting or restructuring a business involves legal, tax, and practical considerations. Here's how we guide you through it:
Timeline: 45-60 minutes
We discuss your business idea or current structure, understand your goals, assess liability risks, and explain entity options.
Come prepared with: Business description, ownership structure, revenue projections, and current business debts or liabilities.
Timeline: 1-2 weeks
We analyze your situation and recommend the optimal entity structure, covering liability protection, tax implications, and long-term flexibility. You receive a written recommendation with flat-fee pricing.
Timeline: 1-2 weeks
We prepare and file formation documents with the Tennessee Secretary of State, obtain your federal EIN, and register for necessary business licenses. You receive certified copies of all filed documents.
Timeline: 2-3 weeks
We draft your operating agreement (LLC) or bylaws and shareholder agreement (corporation), customized for your ownership structure and management preferences. Drafts are provided for review before final execution.
Timeline: Ongoing
After formation, we help you open business bank accounts, transfer assets properly, and coordinate with your CPA on tax elections. We provide an annual compliance calendar so you know exactly what is required and when.
Complete Process: 4-6 weeks from consultation to fully operational business entity
Basic LLC Formation: $800-$1,500
State filing, EIN, and operating agreement.
Corporation Formation: $1,200-$2,500
State filing, EIN, bylaws, shareholder agreement, and stock issuance.
Complete Business Package: $2,500-$5,000
Formation, comprehensive operating agreement, contract templates, and succession planning.
All prices are flat fees quoted upfront. Tennessee state filing fees ($300-$3,000 for LLC depending on members, $100 for corporation) are additional. Payment plans available for qualifying clients.
Your business structure and personal estate plan are closely connected. We offer both services so your legal documents work together seamlessly.
For many business owners, their company represents the majority of their net worth. We structure both the business entity and estate plan to ensure a smooth ownership transition.
We include buy-sell provisions that coordinate with your will or trust, so your operating agreement and estate plan align on ownership succession.
Without proper planning, business ownership can be tied up during probate. We use appropriate legal structures to keep your business operational during ownership transitions.
An LLC protects personal assets from business liabilities, but you also need to protect business assets from personal creditors. We structure ownership to provide protection in both directions.
For most small businesses in Tennessee, an LLC is simpler and more flexible due to easier tax reporting, fewer formalities, and flexible profit distribution. Corporations make sense if you plan to seek venture capital or need C-corp tax treatment. We will recommend the best option based on your specific goals. LLC formation typically costs $300-$600 in legal fees plus $300+ in state filing fees.
Your business entity affects what happens when you die. LLC membership interests and corporate stock pass through your estate. Without proper planning, your business can be frozen during probate. We coordinate operating agreements with estate plans to ensure smooth business continuation.
Yes. An operating agreement proves the LLC is a separate entity, protects your limited liability, specifies what happens if you die or become disabled, and makes it easier to bring in partners later. It typically costs $300-$500 to draft properly.
A sole proprietorship offers no liability protection -- if the business gets sued, your personal assets are at risk. An LLC creates a separate legal entity that shields personal assets from business liabilities. For any business with meaningful liability risk, an LLC (typically $600-$1,000 to set up) is worth the investment.
Tennessee LLC filing fee starts at $300 ($50 per member, minimum $300, maximum $3,000). Attorney fees typically run $300-$800 depending on complexity. A complete LLC package with operating agreement, EIN, and initial compliance setup costs $600-$1,200.
Yes. You will file formation documents with the state, get a new EIN, and transfer contracts and assets to the LLC. The conversion process takes 2-4 weeks and costs similar to initial LLC formation.
Tennessee requires an annual report filed with the Secretary of State ($300/year). You should also maintain operating records, hold annual member meetings, keep business and personal finances separate, and maintain business insurance. Maintaining these formalities is essential to preserving your liability protection.
It depends on your business scope. Tennessee LLC registration provides name protection in-state but not nationally. Federal trademark registration costs $250-$350 per class plus attorney fees ($500-$1,500). It is worth considering if you are building a national brand or selling products online. For local service businesses, state registration is often sufficient.
Get experienced business law guidance tailored to your goals. Schedule a free consultation today.
Call us directly:
(423) 777-6116Or schedule your free consultation online:
Free 45-minute consultation. No obligation. We will assess your business structure needs and recommend the right path forward.
The Burd Law Firm provides business formation and corporate law services throughout the Chattanooga metropolitan area and surrounding Tennessee counties. We help entrepreneurs, small business owners, and established companies in Hamilton County, Bradley County, Marion County, Sequatchie County, and beyond.
Office Location:
412 Georgia Ave Suite 102
Chattanooga, TN 37403
Office Hours:
Monday - Friday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Evening and weekend appointments available by request for business consultations
Licensed to practice in Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia. We handle business formation throughout Tennessee and can assist with multi-state business planning and interstate commerce issues.