Why flat fee instead of hourly?

Flat fees match how formation work actually goes: a defined scope, a known set of documents, and a roughly predictable amount of conversation. Hourly billing on formation creates uncertainty for you and incentive misalignment for the firm. The fee you see is the fee you pay; what is in scope is published on this page.

What if my situation is more complex than the package?

Before any engagement is signed, we confirm scope on an intake call. If your situation falls outside the package — unusual ownership structure, an existing entity that needs to be wound down first, complicated capital arrangements — that is said up front and quoted as a separate scope. Surprises come from skipping that step, not from doing it.

Are state filing fees included in the package price?

No. California Secretary of State and Franchise Tax Board fees are paid to the state, not to the firm. They are itemized in the State filing fees section above so you see exactly what is owed and to whom.

Do you offer payment plans?

Formation packages are typically paid in full at engagement. Larger or multi-phase engagements may use a deposit-and-balance structure. If payment timing matters for your situation, raise it on the intake call.

What if I need to upgrade packages mid-engagement?

Upgrading is straightforward — you pay the difference between packages. The intake call usually catches the right tier before any work begins, so mid-engagement upgrades are unusual.

How are refunds handled?

Refund handling is detailed in the engagement letter you read and sign before any payment is taken. The general principle is that fees not yet earned for work not yet performed remain yours. Specifics for your engagement are in the engagement letter — ask any refund questions on the intake call before signing.

Pricing

Flat-fee California LLC formation, with the scope written down.

What you see on this page is what you pay. State filing fees and the annual California LLC tax are paid to the state separately and itemized below — so you can see exactly what goes where.

Three principles

Flat fee, not hourly.

What you see is the fee. No invoices for thinking time, no surprises at the end of the month.

Scope is published.

Each package lists what is included and what is not. If your situation needs more, that is said before signing — not after.

State fees are separate.

California's Secretary of State and Franchise Tax Board charge their own fees. Those go to the state, not to the firm. Itemized below.

Formation packages

Three flat-fee packages. The middle tier fits most single-member owners; Multi-Member is built around the operating-agreement conversation.

Foundation

For single-member LLCs with a straightforward setup.

$995 flat fee

Best for: Single-member LLCs with a clear operating model — no business partners, no plans to add owners.

What is included

California Articles of Organization
EIN application support
Initial Statement of Information filing
Single-member operating agreement (template-based)
Initial compliance and timeline checklist

Not in this package

Custom-fitted operating agreement (template only at this tier)
Pre-formation strategy call
Multi-member provisions or partner conversations

Start with Foundation

Most common

Standard

For owners who want a fitted operating agreement and a real conversation.

$1,495 flat fee

Best for: Single-member owners who want their operating agreement to fit their actual situation, not a template.

What is included

Everything in Foundation
Custom-fitted single-member operating agreement
30-minute formation strategy call
Manager-managed vs. member-managed guidance
Post-formation Q&A by email (30 days)

Not in this package

Multi-member operating agreement
Joint call with multiple members
Capital contribution and distribution terms

Start with Standard

Multi-Member

For LLCs with two or more owners. The operating agreement is the work.

$1,995 flat fee

Best for: Two or more owners forming together. The operating-agreement conversation is the substance of this engagement.

What is included

Everything in Standard
Multi-member operating agreement (custom)
Capital contribution and distribution terms
Buy-sell / departure provisions
Member-vote and management provisions
Joint formation call with all members (60 minutes)

Not in this package

Trademark or brand-protection filings
Tax election filings (S-corp, C-corp — your CPA's work)
Standalone Buy/Sell Agreement (see add-ons)

Start with Multi-Member

California state fees

These are paid to the State of California, not to the firm. Itemized so you can see exactly what goes where. Amounts subject to change — current rates are confirmed at filing time.

Articles of Organization filing

Paid to California Secretary of State

$70

One-time at formation. California has periodically waived this fee — confirm current rate at filing time.

Initial Statement of Information

Paid to California Secretary of State

$20

Filed within 90 days of formation. Then required every two years for LLCs.

Annual minimum LLC tax

Paid to California Franchise Tax Board

$800

Minimum $800 per year, due regardless of revenue. First-year due date depends on formation date — your CPA will confirm.

Annual LLC fee (income-based)

Paid to California Franchise Tax Board

$—

Only applies if total California-source income exceeds $250,000. Tiered above that threshold.

None of this goes to the firm. The annual $800 minimum LLC tax (California Revenue and Taxation Code §17941) is the most commonly missed cost — your CPA will track due dates.

Add-ons

Common things people may want beyond a base package. À la carte — only added if you ask.

Additional operating agreement revision

$—

Beyond the initial drafted version included in the package.

Additional member beyond package limit

$—

For Multi-Member packages with more owners than the package includes.

Expedited Secretary of State filing

$—

California's expedited fee is paid to the state separately.

Series LLC structuring conversation

$—

If you need to talk through whether a Series LLC fits your situation.

Foreign LLC qualification

$—

For an out-of-state LLC registering to do business in California.

Standalone multi-member operating agreement

$1,495

For an existing California multi-member LLC that needs an operating agreement drafted, rewritten, or significantly revised. Separate from formation packages. More →

Standalone Buy/Sell Agreement

$—

Separate engagement. More →

What is never included

Some things fall outside formation work entirely. They are listed here so you know what to expect — and where to go for them.

Tax advice or tax filings

Your CPA handles all tax matters.
Tax election filings (S-corp, C-corp)

Your CPA prepares these. Formation work makes sure the LLC is set up so the election is clean.
Trademark or intellectual property work

Refer out to a trademark attorney.
Litigation

Refer out.
Bookkeeping, accounting, payroll

Your accountant handles these.
Ongoing general counsel retainer

Available as a separate engagement — ask if you want this in addition to formation.

Attorney-assisted vs. typical filing service

Generic side-by-side, not a comparison against any specific brand. For a deeper breakdown of where attorney-assisted formation pays off and where DIY filing is reasonable, see the full comparison page.

Dimension	Attorney-assisted formation	Typical filing service
Who reads your situation	A California-licensed attorney reviews your specific structure before any document is drafted.	An online form. The product is the filing, not the analysis.
Operating agreement	Drafted or fitted to your ownership and control structure. Not a template.	Generic template — often sold separately, sometimes bundled, rarely customized.
Multi-member guidance	Built into the engagement. Capital contributions, distributions, departures.	Not addressed. Generic template if any operating agreement is offered at all.
Post-formation availability	Same attorney, reachable by phone or email. Engagement scope is clear.	Customer support queue, not the same person each time, none of them lawyers.
State filing fees	Itemized separately and paid to California. Nothing hidden.	Sometimes bundled into upsells; pricing pages frequently obscure what goes to the state.
Cost transparency	Flat fee published on this page. What is included and not included is written down.	Low headline price; meaningful add-ons appear at checkout (registered agent, operating agreement, EIN, expedited service).

See the full attorney vs. DIY comparison →

Pricing questions

Why flat fee instead of hourly?: Flat fees match how formation work actually goes: a defined scope, a known set of documents, and a roughly predictable amount of conversation. Hourly billing on formation creates uncertainty for you and incentive misalignment for the firm. The fee you see is the fee you pay; what is in scope is published on this page.
What if my situation is more complex than the package?: Before any engagement is signed, we confirm scope on an intake call. If your situation falls outside the package — unusual ownership structure, an existing entity that needs to be wound down first, complicated capital arrangements — that is said up front and quoted as a separate scope. Surprises come from skipping that step, not from doing it.
Are state filing fees included in the package price?: No. California Secretary of State and Franchise Tax Board fees are paid to the state, not to the firm. They are itemized in the State filing fees section above so you see exactly what is owed and to whom.
Do you offer payment plans?: Formation packages are typically paid in full at engagement. Larger or multi-phase engagements may use a deposit-and-balance structure. If payment timing matters for your situation, raise it on the intake call.
What if I need to upgrade packages mid-engagement?: Upgrading is straightforward — you pay the difference between packages. The intake call usually catches the right tier before any work begins, so mid-engagement upgrades are unusual.
How are refunds handled?: Refund handling is detailed in the engagement letter you read and sign before any payment is taken. The general principle is that fees not yet earned for work not yet performed remain yours. Specifics for your engagement are in the engagement letter — ask any refund questions on the intake call before signing.

Where are you?

If pricing answered your question, the next step is an intake call. If you are still working out whether to form an LLC at all, start with the checklist.

Ready to start

Book a Formation Call

A short intake call to confirm scope, package, and timing before any engagement is signed. No fee for the intake call itself.

Book a Formation Call →

Still deciding

Get the California LLC Checklist

A practical checklist of what California small business owners should think through before forming an LLC — what to decide, what to ignore, and where the common mistakes happen.

Download the Checklist →

Ready to form your California LLC the right way?

Pick a package, book the intake call, and the engagement letter follows. No payment is taken before scope is confirmed.

Book a Formation Call Compare attorney vs. DIY filing