BUILD A BUSINESS. NOT A BATTLE
At Craig A. Choate PC, we don’t just register an entity.
We help structure your business to reduce risk, prevent ownership disputes, and hold up when the stakes get real.
Because the most expensive business problem is the one you didn't plan for.
Filing isn’t the problem. Fighting is.
Formations don’t fail at the Secretary of State.
They fail later…. when money, control or liability get real.
Many “quick formations” (often DIY) blow up because nobody builds the rules that prevent conflict, confusion, and expensive cleanup.
At Craig A. Choate PC we will provide you with:
FORM.
FRAMEWORK.
FIREWALL.
WHY FORMATIONS FAIL
FORM
The wrong entity doesn’t break today. It breaks later.
Let’s make sure we’re getting you set up with the right structure for what you’re actually doing.
Do you need a partnership, an LLC, a corporation, or something more tailored?
We’ll match the entity to your liability exposure, tax realities, ownership plan, and how you operate day-to-day, so the structure fits the business… not the other way around.
Example issues we design around: licensing/professional rules, owner compensation (W-2 vs draws), S-Corp election timing, and who carries risk when something goes sideways.
FRAMEWORK
Real Rules (Governing documents that prevent fights)
Good businesses don’t blow up because the idea was bad.
They blow up because nobody wrote the rules before the money got real.
We build the documents that define the rules of the road:
ownership, voting power, deadlock protection, buyouts, transfers, and what happens when life changes.
So you don’t get surprise exits, 50/50 stalemates, or “wait… you can do that?” moments that turn businesses into lawsuits.
FIREWALL
Keep business problems in the business lane.
The right structure doesn’t just help you build. It helps you survive.
We create a firewall between business liabilities and your personal life, so a business problem doesn’t become a personal disaster.
Because when things go sideways, it doesn’t matter what you THOUGHT the deal WAS. It only matters what the paperwork SAYS the deal IS.
Because lawsuits don’t care what you meant to say
Texas Business Planning FAQs
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An LLC is a legal entity formed under Texas law. An S-Corporation is a federal tax election that may be made after an entity is formed. They are not the same thing. The right structure depends on your profit level, liability exposure, payroll considerations, and long-term goals. Choosing properly at the outset can prevent costly restructuring later.
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An LLC can provide liability protection, but it is not automatic. Proper formation, clear operating agreements, separation of personal and business finances, and ongoing compliance are essential. Courts can disregard an entity that is not maintained correctly. Structure matters, but so does execution.
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Problems typically arise not in the state filing itself, but in what follows. Many Texas LLCs are formed without a clear operating agreement, defined ownership structure, or coordinated tax planning. Business and personal finances may not be properly separated, and succession or buyout provisions are often overlooked.
These gaps may not create immediate issues, but they can lead to disputes, loss of liability protection, or operational disruption later. Careful planning at the outset helps ensure the entity functions as intended and provides the protection and clarity business owners expect.
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Yes. Even single-member LLCs benefit from a written operating agreement. It establishes management authority, succession provisions, and clear separation between you and the entity. It also becomes critical if you later add partners, outside capital, or transfer interests.
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Yes, but the method depends on your entity structure and tax classification. LLC members may receive distributions, while S-Corporation owners typically pay themselves reasonable compensation through payroll. Proper structuring ensures compliance and tax efficiency.
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The outcome depends on how your business is structured and whether you have proper planning in place. If you are the sole owner and become incapacitated or pass away without a succession plan, your family may be left managing operations, accessing accounts, and making decisions without clear authority.
Well-drafted business documents, coordinated with your estate plan, can designate who steps in to manage the company, how ownership interests transfer, and how continuity is preserved. Without that coordination, even a profitable business can face disruption, delay, or internal conflict at a critical moment.
Planning ahead ensures your business does not become an additional burden for the people you are trying to protect.
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Succession planning should begin earlier than most owners expect. It addresses who will manage or inherit the business, how ownership interests transfer, and how continuity is preserved in the event of death, disability, or retirement. Coordinating business documents with estate planning is essential for long-term stability.
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The state filing fee is fixed, but the overall cost depends on the level of customization, internal documentation, and planning involved. Basic filings are straightforward, but comprehensive planning ensures your entity is structured properly for liability protection, tax efficiency, and future growth. We provide clear, flat-fee options based on your needs.