Tag: Entrepreneur

Terror From Beyond the Grave: 5 Critical Mistakes To Avoid When Terminating Your Company

It is a classic horror movie plot line. The good guy finally killed off that scary monster/evil janitor/gremlin. Hooray! Triumphant, the hero turns his back to celebrate with fellow survivors when SUDDENLY the monster/evil janitor/gremlin rises from the dead to take down that one final victim! In the business world, if you do not take the proper steps to terminate your corporate entity and ensure that it is “dead AND buried,” (which I swear is a real term of art) the entity can come back from the grave. The undead entity will then cause all kinds of problems and could even result in potential personal liability for the unwary business owner.

First, termination does not mean a business has failed. Even if your company grows and is successful, there may be a time that you need to terminate its existence. The most common example is when you sell your business. If it is an asset sale, the buyer purchases the real estate, equipment, customer lists, intellectual property, etc., but leaves the corporate entity for the seller to dispose of.

Second, before we get to termination, I assume you have read my other posts and properly incorporated your business. You also should have had your attorney draft the initial corporate documents. These documents will often contain the rules and procedures for the terminating the corporate entity. Following these internal rules and procedures is critical to a successful dissolution and wind-up.

Finally, and without further ado, the following is a list of the 5 most common missteps to avoid when terminating your business:

Mistake #1 – Not consulting with an attorney and an accountant. Termination is not as simple as filing a form with the State of Michigan. There are multiple considerations that control the process and are unique to your business. For example, what do your bylaws or articles of organization say about termination? Do you need unanimous consent of the equityholders or a majority vote enough? Are there tax implications and personal tax liabilities to consider? What about the timing of any liquidation distribution? Only a professional can provide fact-specific counsel for your particular situation.

Mistake #2 – Confusing “dissolution” and “winding-up.” Although both terms refer to the termination of a corporate entity, the processes are different and controlled by different statutory provisions. Dissolution is something that is triggered by an event – for example, a unanimous vote of the LLC members or a bankruptcy as set forth in the bylaws. Winding up on the other hand refers to the process of liquidating the corporate entity. In other words, dissolution is the process of making the company “dead” – whereas winding-up is a process to ensure that it is “buried.”

Mistake #3 – Assuming that dissolution alone protects you from personal liability. Dissolution alone is not enough to protect a business owner from creditors and litigants. In Michigan, the law permits a dissolved corporation to “sue and be sued in its corporate name.” MCL 450.1834(e). Same goes for a dissolved LLC. MCL 450.4805(3). Moreover, improper dissolution could lead a court to conclude that the corporate form was a sham designed to elude creditors, and result in a court order to “pierce the corporate veil.”

Mistake #4 – Failing to follow the statutory requirements. Whether your company is organized as a for-profit corporation, a non-profit, or an LLC, there are specific statutory requirements for the termination process. For example, Michigan law requires an LLC to provide specific information in its certificate of dissolution. MCL 450.4804. This is critical because proper dissolution is a statutory prerequisite to winding up the LLC’s affairs (meaning liquidation). See MCL 450.4805 and 450.4806. In other words, failure to carefully follow the dissolution process risks a subsequent argument that the wind-up process was invalid and the liquidation was illegal. Note also that there are separate laws that govern corporations and LLCs and it is imperative that you follow the correct procedure for your specific type of entity.

Mistake #5 – Neglecting creditors for the benefit of shareholders. Terminating a company does not relieve the company or its equity holders from liability for debt obligations. If you are unable to pay your lender or cannot pay an adverse judgment, then you should consider filing for bankruptcy. In the process of a normal dissolution and liquidation, Michigan law presupposes solvency and mandates that creditors get paid first. MCL 450.4808(1)(a). And of course, government tax obligations must be paid even before the other creditors. MCL 450.4808(2).

Dissolving and winding-up your business is a complex process that requires consultation with a professional. Failure to ensure that the company is “dead AND buried” presents many risks going forward and can even lead to personal liability for the owners.

Contact attorney Dan Artaev today at dan@artaevatlaw.com or by phone or text at (269) 930-0254.

Starting a Business? Choose Your Organizational Structure!

Every business owner needs to incorporate. Forget about sole proprietorships or a partnership — running your business without formally organizing is like driving without insurance: You will be OK so long as you don’t get into an accident. But when someone rear-ends you, you will be in dire financial straits regardless of who caused the wreck.

Incorporation is “insurance” that will protect your personal assets (your house, car, bank accounts, 401k) from financial risks associated with running a business. The rule is that creditors and plaintiffs cannot come after your personal assets to satisfy a business debt or liability. There are of course exceptions to this rule, called “piercing the corporate veil.” But many business owners ask: Should I register as a corporation? Non-profit? LLC? PLLC?

As with all of legal questions, the answer is “it depends on the facts.” Your attorney and accountant will help you decide what works best in your particular situation. However, here is a basic overview of the four most common entity types in Michigan:

  1. For-Profit Corporation – The Michigan Business Corporation Act sets out the rules for corporate formation and the default provisions for corporate governance. Usually, an attorney setting up the corporation will draft two documents: (A) Articles of Incorporation, which is the basic form filed with the State of Michigan creating the corporation and (B) the Corporate Bylaws, which is an internal corporate document that sets out the corporation’s management, number of shares, stockholders, Board of Directors governance, and various other provisions. There are also various sub-classes of corporations that differ for tax purposes–for example an “S-Corp,” but you will need to consult with your accountant to determine eligibility. Corporations have been around for a long time and are generally a good choice for business owners seeking to set up a tried-but-true business structure – one that is supported by decades of case law and statutory gap-filler provisions. But again, whether a corporation is the right choice is a decision to be made only with the assistance of your legal and financial advisers
  2. Nonprofit Corporation – Michigan also has a Michigan Nonprofit Corporation Act that governs the creation of non-profit entities. Nonprofit status should not be confused with “tax-exempt”–whether an entity is considered “nonprofit” is a matter of Michigan law, while it is the federal government and the IRS that determine “tax-exempt” status. Consult with your accountant on all tax related matters! Generally, if your intent is to create a corporate entity for charitable or other non-commercial purposes, the non-profit corporation may be the best way to maximize the relevant tax advantages. From a legal standpoint, a nonprofit is created in the same manner as a for-profit corporation, with certain exceptions–for example, a charity must be registered with the Michigan Attorney General. And again, if you seek tax-exempt status, you must file the appropriate paperwork with the IRS. Click here for a detailed guide on forming a nonprofit corporation in Michigan.
  3. Limited Liability Company – This is a relatively new type of entity created through the Michigan Limited Liability Company Act in 1994. An LLC is the preferred corporate form for many small businesses due to its simplicity and modern approach to pass-through taxation. Indeed, a single-member LLC enjoys the same single taxation as a sole proprietorship, as well as the protection of the corporate form without some of the extraneous formalities of a corporation. While simple, an LLC must still file Articles of Incorporation with the State of Michigan and draft an Operating Agreement that sets forth the rules on how the LLC is run. Even when running an LLC, it is critical to observe the corporate forms to maintain limited liability and avoid the dreaded “piercing of the corporate veil.”
  4. Professional Corporations and PLLCs – Michigan Law requires certain professionals (such as physicians, dentists, lawyers, and certified public accountants) to incorporate as professional entities. Generally, a professional corporation is similar to a regular for-profit corporation and a PLLC is similar to a regular LLC. The most important distinction for a professional corporation or PLLC is that the professional remains personally liable for their own misconduct or negligence. However, the other members of a PC or PLLC remain protected from liability for the misdeeds of a single member. Thus, while professional incorporation as a solo practitioner is not a given, multiple-member entities should definitely consider the advantages of statutory liability protection.

Have more questions? Contact Dan Artaev at dan@artaevatlaw.com or 269-930-0254 to set up your free initial consultation.

© 2021 Artaev at Law PLLC. All rights reserved.

5 Often-Overlooked Essentials When Selling Your Business

You finally got that phone call from the California venture capital firm that wants to buy your  start-up for a couple of million dollars. You are eager to sell and use that money to pursue other projects and passions. The attorneys and accountants have been retained, and the Asset Purchase Agreement has been drafted. 

But while the attorney drafted the proper asset descriptions and indemnification clauses, and the accountant has allocated the purchase price for the taxes, has your team addressed these five often-overlooked essentials? After all, the sale of a business is much more than just signing the papers and turning over the keys.

  1. Is the buyer hiring the existing employees? When transferring the assets of a business, one can easily overlook the employees who operate those assets and make the business run. Assuming that the buyer is buying the employees together with the business is a grave (and potentially costly) error. Most employees are at will and may walk out from their job if you spring a “surprise” acquisition on them one morning. This may especially be devastating in an industry like manufacturing, where qualified employees are difficult to find. To mitigate that risk, the buyer should provide offer packages to all current employees at least a few days before the sale. As a seller, it may benefit you to make a small monetary or personal gift to some of the long-time or more senior employees to thank them for their years of service and to throw a transition pizza party for the crew. Remember that the sale will be a personal and emotional event for those who work for you. While you are selling the machines and office furniture, the employees make the business run.  
  2. Are any key services performed by a family member or by the seller him or herself? In small businesses, owners often rely on their family members (or themselves) to perform certain key services (like quoting prices or estimating inventory) without a formal employment relationship. The seller should disclose any key services done by family members so that the buyer can make adequate provisions to hire someone to perform those key services. After all, the goal is to keep the business going after the sale and to provide for as few delays as possible. 
  3. What happens to the invoices and receivables received after closing? Continuing in the ordinary course of business, there will be both invoices and checks that the buyer receives post-closing. Who is responsible for the invoices for inventory received pre-closing? Who gets the checks for pre-closing product? And what about any open purchase orders – are those being assigned? To prevent future conflict, all of these topics should be addressed before the money is wired.
  4. What about the building? If the seller owns the building and is selling that building with the business, the transaction is relatively straight-forward. But if there is a lease, the seller must obtain landlord’s consent before assigning the lease. Alternatively, the buyer must enter into a new lease that starts on the day of the closing to ensure a smooth transition and continued operations.
  5. Have the customers been informed? It is a mistake to assume that the business’s customers will simply continue doing business with the new owner. Business is as much about relationships as it is about the numbers. The buyer and seller should discuss a transition plan with respect to existing customers and ensure that these valuable relationships are preserved going forward.

Of course, these are just some examples, and there will be other key topics specific to the nature of your business and to the transaction. 

Contact attorney Dan Artaev today at dan@artaevatlaw.com or by phone or text at (269) 930-0254.

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