Form a Series LLC in Utah

Because the series LLC is still relatively new in some states, we get a lot of questions about what exactly the series LLC is, and how you can form one. That’s why we decided to write these articles, which break down how the series LLC formation process works in each state.

If you’re interested in forming a series LLC in Utah, read on to find out how it’s done.

IMPORTANT Note: While the series LLC makes a lot of sense in theory, it certainly has its advantages and disadvantages. We recommend speaking with an attorney before setting up a series LLC in Utah.

That said, if you’re looking for a time-tested way to protect yourself and personal assets as a business owner, the traditional LLC is the way to go. You can either form it yourself or through a free Utah LLC service.

What Is a Series LLC?

Let’s start by briefly covering what a series LLC actually is. In general, a series LLC is exactly what it sounds like ― it’s a collection of LLCs that operate under the umbrella of a master LLC. While each LLC in the series is part of the larger company, this business structure also keeps each LLC financially insulated from the others. In theory, this means that a lawsuit against one of the LLCs should have no effect on the others in the series.

Each LLC in a series has the same limited liability protections that a standard LLC has, meaning that if you’re sued, creditors can only come after your business assets rather than pursuing your personal possessions. While a series LLC does still protect your personal car, house, bank accounts, etc., it also protects the other LLCs in the series from the lawsuit. In other words, creditors can only pursue the assets of one LLC, rather than the entire series.

How Can I Form a Series LLC in Utah?

Choose a Name for Your Series LLC

The first step to forming any type of LLC is to first select a name for your new business. You should choose a name that is memorable, and also one that briefly describes what your business does, or what your organization stands for. You will also need to run a business name search to make sure your chosen name is available in Utah, and isn’t already being used by another company.

Also, you’ll need to include either the phrase “limited liability company” or the letters “LLC” in your business name, along with the word “series.” Finally, you cannot include any terms that refer to specific business types ― like “bank” or “hospital” ― unless you actually run one of those businesses, and you also can’t use any words that refer to other business types, such as “incorporated” or “inc.”

Additionally, it’s important to note that in Utah, each segment of your series LLC must include the parent LLC’s name. However, each LLC in your series must have a different name from the others. For example, if your parent LLC is called “Scott’s Foods,” and you want to differentiate your fine-dining LLC from your fast-casual LLC, you could name these segments “Scott’s Foods Dining Series LLC” and “Scott’s Foods Fast Series LLC.”

For more info on naming an LLC ― whether that’s a series LLC or a traditional LLC ― check out our comprehensive guide to naming an LLC.

Designate a Registered Agent

Next, you’ll need to choose a registered agent for your series LLC. The registered agent must have an office located in Utah, and they must be available to receive document deliveries from the state during all standard business hours.

You don’t need to worry about designating different registered agents for each segment of the LLC, as you can have the same registered agent for every LLC in the series if you want to.

Prepare and File the Certificate of Organization

The state of Utah has two very similar forms to fill out whether you’re forming a traditional LLC or a series LLC. The document for either is called the Certificate of Organization, and it’s similar to the document most states refer to as “articles of organization.” You’ll want to fill out the series LLC version, of course.

There’s also a crucial difference in the way the series LLC needs to complete this form. The series LLC needs to provide a notice in its Certificate of Organization that explains the limited liability between each individual LLC in the series.

Utah’s state laws ensure entrepreneurs that including this notice is sufficient to establish the liability shields between your LLCs, as long as the notice is included “immediately following the provision stating the name of the company.” You don’t need to have any separate LLC segments within your series yet, as this notice does not need to reference any specific LLC in the series. By including this notice, you provide your series LLC with the ability to create a new LLC segment at any time.

Other than this notice, the Certificate of Organization is a relatively simple document that only requires you to share some basic information, including the name and address of your business and your registered agent. Then, you’ll need to include the names and addresses of each of your owners (if you choose to be managed by your owners) or your manager(s) (if you choose management by a manager).

Finally, you have the option of setting a dissolution date, the option of explaining the purpose of your business, and the opportunity to claim your status as a female-owned or minority-owned business. Once you’ve filled out your Certificate of Organization, you can submit it to the Utah Department of Commerce Division of Corporations and Commercial Code along with your $70 processing fee.

Acquire an EIN

Next, you should obtain a federal tax ID number known as an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the Internal Revenue Service for each LLC in your series. The EIN is essentially a Social Security Number for your business, as it is a nine-digit numerical code that you can use to identify your business on tax forms, and it also helps you open business bank accounts and hire employees.

It’s quite easy to get an EIN from the IRS. All you need to do is fill out the free form located on the IRS website, and you’re good to go. You will receive your number immediately upon filing.

Draft a Series LLC Operating Agreement

Legally speaking, Utah does not require series LLCs to create an operating agreement, although we think it’s still incredibly important. The operating agreement is a vital document, because it describes many aspects of how your series LLC will operate.

In this agreement, you’ll outline what the different segments of your series LLC are, indicate the roles of each member/owner, detail the owners’ voting rights, and explain the financial contribution and allocation plans.

You should also indicate whether you want your business to be managed by its members or by a manager, discuss how an owner can be replaced if necessary, and outline a dissolution procedure if you ever need to close up shop.

Create a Financial Infrastructure

It’s crucial for any LLC to open a business bank account, as this helps you maintain the separation of personal and business finances that is required of all formal business entities. However, there’s an extra layer to this step for series LLCs, as you’ll need to open a bank account for the series’ parent LLC, as well as for each of the separate LLC segments under its umbrella.

If you fail to open a separate bank account for each segment, you will run the risk of losing the isolated liability of each LLC in the series. You need to be able to prove that these segments are truly separate if you want to maintain the liability shields between them.

In addition, this would be a good time to either hire an accountant or purchase accounting software for your series LLC. For traditional LLCs that don’t have particularly complex accounting needs, it’s usually sufficient to use accounting software, but a series LLC is a bit more complicated, and we therefore prefer hiring an accountant to make sure everything is done correctly.

Obtain Licenses and Permits

There is no state-level general business license in Utah, but depending on what industry your business operates in, you may be required to acquire at least one license or permit. Thankfully, the state makes it quite easy to figure out which licenses (if any) you require, and also apply for them, through the Utah One-Stop Online Business Registration tool.

Keep in mind that you may also need to get licenses or permits from your county or municipal government agencies, so make sure to check with the relevant entities in these jurisdictions.

Understand Maintenance Requirements

Utah requires all LLCs — including series LLCs — to file an annual report. This is a simple report which keeps the state updated regarding some crucial details of your business, like your business name and address, and the names and addresses of your owners or managers.

The Utah annual report costs just $20 to file, and you only need to file one report for your series LLC. There is no need to file separate annual reports for each individual LLC within your series.

Can I Hire Someone to Form My Series LLC?

When forming a series LLC in Utah, you generally have two options. You can tackle the DIY route, or you can hire an attorney. In some other states with series LLCs, you can form one by using Northwest Registered Agent’s formation service, but unfortunately they do not offer this service in Utah.

Of these two options, we prefer hiring a lawyer. Yes, this can be an expensive route, but the series LLC is rather complex, so we think it’s definitely a good idea to hire a reputable business attorney to create your formation documents.

If you’re supremely confident in your abilities to form a compliant series LLC, we won’t stop you from giving it a shot. However, for the vast majority of our readers, hiring a lawyer is the smarter option.

In Conclusion

The process of forming a series LLC in Utah isn’t too terribly different from the formation process for a standard LLC. However, you do need to make sure that you use the correct version of the Certificate of Organization form, and also include a notice that explains how your LLC will operate as a series.

At the end of the day, if you want to skip the hassles and worries that come with forming your own Utah series LLC, you always have the option to hire an attorney to handle it for you.

We hope this article helped you develop your understanding of how to form a series LLC in Utah!