Single-Owner Business
One owner, straightforward structure.
Typically Includes
- Entity selection
- Articles of Organization or Incorporation
- EIN registration
- Basic operating agreement
Business Formation AttorneyChoose the Right Entity for Your Taxes, Not Just Your Liability.
An LLC, an S-Corp, and a C-Corp all protect you differently — and get taxed differently.
Deborah Smiley is a Missouri business attorney and a CFP® — a Certified Financial Planner — so your entity is chosen based on your actual tax and liability picture, not a default.
Free 30-minute consultationNo obligation
30 Years
Practicing law
11 Years
In wealth management, alongside her law practice
CFP®
Certified Financial Planner
AEP®
Accredited Estate Planner
What it does
What Business Formation Actually Does
Sets up your business correctly from day one, not just quickly.
LLC, S-Corp, C-Corp, and partnership options, weighed against your actual liability and tax picture.
Articles of Organization or Incorporation filed correctly with the Missouri Secretary of State.
Sets the rules for ownership and decision-making, and what happens if a partner leaves, before it's needed.
Federal tax ID and any required state registrations, handled as part of formation.
Structured correctly, so your personal assets stay protected if the business is sued.
Contracts, hiring, and future funding are easier when the foundation is built correctly.
Deborah Smiley is a Missouri business attorney and a CFP® — a Certified Financial Planner — so your entity is chosen based on your actual tax and liability picture, not a default.
What it doesn't do
What Business Formation Doesn't Do
Said plainly, so you know what else to plan for.
Mixing personal and business finances can undo your liability protection, no matter what entity you chose.
If you have partners, formation alone doesn't decide what happens if one leaves, retires, or passes away.
Learn about Buy-Sell Agreements →Vendor agreements, client contracts, and leases are handled separately from formation.
Learn about Contracts →Not sure how this applies to your situation?
Call 636-214-0546What we watch for
Common Mistakes We Watch For
Most formation problems trace back to decisions made in the first few weeks. Here's what we check for, every time.
Every business's liability and tax situation is different. We choose based on your actual numbers, not someone else's.
Without one, state default rules decide how disputes are resolved — rules that may not reflect what you actually agreed to.
Commingling funds is one of the fastest ways to lose the liability protection you formed the entity to get.
Pricing
How Business Formation Is Priced
Pricing depends on how many owners are involved and how the structure needs to work. Most matters are quoted as a flat fee, agreed to before work begins.
Multi-Owner Business
Two or more owners or partners.
Typically Includes
- Entity selection & formation
- Custom operating agreement or bylaws
- Ownership and voting terms
- Initial buy-sell provisions
Complex or Multi-Entity
Holding companies, outside investors, or multiple related entities.
Typically Includes
- Multi-entity structuring
- Investor agreements
- Equity and voting structures
- Coordinated with your CPA & advisors
Get an exact number for your situation — the first call is free.
Call 636-214-0546The process
How We Form Your Business
What you're building, who else is involved, and how you plan to grow — in one real meeting.
1
We map your business and your goals
What you're building, who else is involved, and how you plan to grow — in one real meeting.
2
We choose the right entity
Based on your actual liability and tax picture, not a default.
3
We file and set it up correctly
Formation documents, EIN, and operating agreement or bylaws, all handled.
4
We stay
Reviewed as your business grows, so the structure still fits.
Your attorney
Why Business Owners Trust Deborah With This
Deborah Smiley
JD · CFP® · AEP®Deborah has practiced law in Missouri for 30 years. For 11 of those years, she also worked in wealth management — a combination that matters here too, since choosing the right entity is as much a tax decision as a legal one.
She's a CFP® (Certified Financial Planner) and an AEP® (Accredited Estate Planner) — credentials very few business attorneys hold together.
30 yrsPracticing law in Missouri
11 yrsIn wealth management, alongside her law practice
CFP®Certified Financial Planner
AEP®Accredited Estate Planner
Past ChairProbate & Trust Committee, Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis
Ready to talk through your plan?
Call 636-214-0546Client Reviews
Deb has been a great partner over the years and takes great care of my referrals/clients for their planning needs.
Harvey
I met Deb and I thought I had all my estate and business planning affairs in order; then she asked me questions that made me realize I had a lot more planning to do.
Jamie
Deb and I have been collaborative partners for almost 20 years. She has taken great care of my clients.
Paul
I have known Deb for years and she has given me peace of mind with my estate planning needs.
Carol
Deb has been instrumental in helping my family with their estate planning needs. We are grateful for her.
David
Deb has been very helpful with my and my family's estate and business planning.
Kelly
When we first moved here, I didn't realize how many legal revisions and details were needed. I heard Deb speak at a luncheon and was so impressed with her legal knowledge. Deb has been very helpful with my family's estate planning. She gave us peace of mind.
Jenny
Deb, thank you so much, we really appreciate all of your work and concern.
Bob and Myra
Deb was very responsive and helpful.
Chris
Deb was so helpful and even came to our house.
Missy and Ray
Deb was very responsive, helpful and intelligent.
John and Julie
Deb has been a great partner over the years and takes great care of my referrals/clients for their planning needs.
Harvey
I met Deb and I thought I had all my estate and business planning affairs in order; then she asked me questions that made me realize I had a lot more planning to do.
Jamie
Deb and I have been collaborative partners for almost 20 years. She has taken great care of my clients.
Paul
I have known Deb for years and she has given me peace of mind with my estate planning needs.
Carol
Deb has been instrumental in helping my family with their estate planning needs. We are grateful for her.
David
Deb has been very helpful with my and my family's estate and business planning.
Kelly
When we first moved here, I didn't realize how many legal revisions and details were needed. I heard Deb speak at a luncheon and was so impressed with her legal knowledge. Deb has been very helpful with my family's estate planning. She gave us peace of mind.
Jenny
Deb, thank you so much, we really appreciate all of your work and concern.
Bob and Myra
Deb was very responsive and helpful.
Chris
Deb was so helpful and even came to our house.
Missy and Ray
Deb was very responsive, helpful and intelligent.
John and Julie
Questions
Questions
The legal process of creating a business entity, like an LLC or corporation, including filing paperwork and setting up its governing documents.
It depends on your liability exposure, how you want to be taxed, and how you plan to grow. There's no single best answer for every business.
An LLC is a legal entity structure. An S-Corp is a tax election that either an LLC or a corporation can make. They solve different problems, and many businesses use both together.
It's not legally required in every case, but it still helps establish that your business is a separate entity from you personally, which matters if your liability protection is ever challenged.
Missouri charges a state filing fee, plus the cost of drafting the entity's governing documents. We'll give you the exact numbers before you commit to anything.
Yes, though converting can have tax consequences and usually costs more than choosing correctly the first time.
It's not required, but mistakes in the formation documents or operating agreement can cost far more to fix later than they would to get right from the start.
It depends on the entity type and how many owners are involved. Call for a free 30-minute consultation and we'll give you a clear cost estimate before you commit to anything.
Ready to Start Your Business the Right Way?
Call to schedule your free 30-minute consultation with Deborah — no obligation.
Call 636-214-0546Free 30-minute consultationNo obligationReal person answers