Christine Mathias is a legal editor at Nolo specializing in business formation. Christine has a B.A. from Portland State University, a J.D. from Penn State Dickinson School of Law, and a M.L.I.S. from the Simmons School of Library and Information Science. She is an active member of the California State Bar and an inactive member of the Vermont Bar Association. Her experience includes working as a law librarian at the University of San Diego and the San Diego County Law Library, directing several nonprofits, and practicing as an attorney in Vermont and California. Christine operates a law practice based in Joshua Tree, California, with a focus on small businesses and nonprofits.
Articles By Christine Mathias
When you convert your sole proprietorship to an LLC, you formalize the business and enjoy limited liability.
Sole proprietorships, partnerships, LLCs, and corporations are all business structures that independent contractors should explore.
A sole proprietorship has one owner, while a partnership has two or more owners.
You can dissolve a partnership informally, but taking the steps to wind up the business can limit your liability.
A pass-through entity is any type of business that is not subject to corporate tax.
A buyout agreement is an important tool to allow you to plan for the future of your business.
An LLC can transition to a corporation, but conversion might mean more paperwork and taxes.
Forming a joint venture is an opportunity to expand your business and reach new customers by working with another individual or business.
An EIN is a unique tax identification number for your business, and easy to obtain.
An SMLLC combines the limited liability of a corporation with the tax benefits of a sole proprietorship.