Business Formation Done Right — Not Just Filed
Starting a business in California or New York means more than submitting a form online. The state filing is the first step, not the finish line. We help you choose the right entity, prepare the documents that actually protect you, and meet every jurisdiction-specific requirement from day one.
The Entity You Choose Shapes Everything That Comes After
The structure you form under determines how you're taxed, how much personal liability you carry, how ownership can be transferred, and in some cases, whether you're even allowed to operate in your industry. Getting it right at the start costs far less than correcting it later.
The primary entity options we work with:
- Sole Proprietorship — no formal structure, full personal liability, appropriate only in narrow circumstances
- LLC (Limited Liability Company) — flexible ownership and tax treatment, strong liability protection, the most common choice for small businesses
- S-Corporation — pass-through taxation with potential payroll tax savings, requires strict eligibility rules
- C-Corporation — separate tax entity, preferred for venture-backed businesses or companies planning to raise outside investment
- PLLC (Professional Limited Liability Company) — required for certain licensed professionals in New York; not available in California
- PC (Professional Corporation) — required for physicians, dentists, and other licensed healthcare professionals in California; also used in New York
Choosing between these isn't just a tax question. It's a legal question, a licensing question, and sometimes a regulatory question — especially if you work in healthcare.
California and New York Have Different Rules. We Know Both.
Most formation services — and many attorneys — are licensed in one state. If you're operating in California and New York, or planning to expand, you'd normally need to coordinate between two separate firms. We're licensed in both states and handle the formation process correctly in each jurisdiction without adding a middle step.
California-specific requirements we handle:
- The Franchise Tax Board minimum annual franchise tax of $800, which applies to most LLCs and corporations regardless of revenue
- California LLC operating agreement requirements — a written operating agreement is required by law, and the content matters
- The corporate practice of medicine doctrine, which restricts how physicians and dentists can structure ownership and makes a Professional Corporation the required entity for most healthcare providers
- The LLC publication requirement — after formation, New York law requires the LLC to publish a notice of formation in two local newspapers for six consecutive weeks, then file proof of publication with the state; LLCs that miss this step can lose the right to bring or defend lawsuits in New York courts
- PLLC formation for licensed professionals, which follows different rules than a standard LLC
- Operating agreement preparation that meets New York's requirements and reflects the actual agreement between members
One firm handles both states. You don't need to explain your situation twice.
Healthcare Professionals: The Wrong Entity Can Create Real Problems
If you're a physician, dentist, or other licensed healthcare professional forming a practice entity in California, a standard LLC is not available to you. California's corporate practice of medicine doctrine requires physicians and dentists to form a Professional Corporation — and that PC must be owned by licensed professionals in the same field.
In New York, licensed professionals typically form a PLLC or PC rather than a standard LLC. The rules differ by profession and by state.
This is a compliance issue, not just a preference. Using the wrong entity structure can create regulatory exposure and, in serious cases, put your license at risk. Your accountant may not flag this. Your online formation service certainly won't.
We work regularly with physicians, dentists, and medical practice owners on entity formation, and we understand the licensing constraints that apply to healthcare professionals in both California and New York.
If you're a healthcare professional, our dedicated legal services for healthcare professionals covers the full scope of what we do for this client group.
Why "Filed Online" Isn't the Same as "Done"
Online formation services complete the state filing. That's it. They don't prepare a properly drafted operating agreement. They don't advise on tax elections. They don't fulfill the New York publication requirement. They don't flag professional licensing constraints. And they don't tell you what you missed.
We've helped clients correct DIY formations that looked fine on paper but left them personally exposed, out of compliance, or using an entity structure that didn't fit their business. The $50 filing fee is real. So is the cost of fixing what it left undone.
Attorney-assisted formation through Jet Legal includes:
- Entity selection guidance based on your industry, state, and goals
- State filing and registration in California, New York, or Texas
- Preparation of your operating agreement or corporate bylaws
- Tax election guidance (including S-corp election timing)
- New York LLC publication requirement fulfillment, where applicable
- Professional entity compliance review for licensed professionals
- Fixed-fee pricing so you know the cost before you commit
Frequently Asked Questions About Business Formation
How do I form an LLC in California as a healthcare professional?
In most cases, you can't — at least not as a standard LLC. California's corporate practice of medicine doctrine requires physicians and dentists to form a Professional Corporation rather than an LLC. Other licensed healthcare professionals should verify their specific requirements before filing. We help healthcare professionals determine the correct entity and form it properly.What is the New York LLC publication requirement?
After forming an LLC in New York, state law requires you to publish a notice of formation in two newspapers in the county where the LLC is located, once per week for six consecutive weeks. You then file proof of publication with the state. LLCs that fail to complete this step can lose the ability to sue or be sued in New York courts — a significant compliance gap that online formation services don't address.What's the difference between an LLC and a Professional Corporation?
An LLC is available to most business owners and offers flexible tax treatment and liability protection. A Professional Corporation is a separate entity type required for certain licensed professionals — physicians and dentists in California, for example — who cannot form a standard LLC due to state licensing and corporate practice restrictions. The rules vary by profession and by state.Do you offer fixed-fee business formation?
Yes. We offer fixed-fee formation packages for most standard entity formations so you know the cost before we begin. The exact fee depends on the entity type, the state of formation, and any professional licensing requirements that apply. Contact us for a quote.Can you form a business entity in both California and New York?
Yes. We're licensed in California, New York, and Texas, and we handle multi-state formations without requiring you to work with separate attorneys in each state. If you're operating in more than one jurisdiction, we can advise on where to form your primary entity and whether foreign qualification in additional states makes sense for your situation. What happens if I formed my LLC myself and I'm not sure it was done correctly? We can review your existing formation documents, check for compliance gaps — including the New York publication requirement and operating agreement completeness — and identify whether your current structure actually fits your business and industry. If corrections are needed, we'll tell you what they are and what it takes to address them.
Ready to Form Your Business the Right Way?
We'll help you choose the right entity, meet every state-specific requirement, and put the right documents in place from the start. Fixed-fee packages available. Virtual consultations available for clients across California, New York, and Texas.
