Get peace of mind with an operating agreement

Establish ground rules, structure, and protection for your limited liability company with an LLC operating agreement—whether you're established or just starting up.

Operating agreements start at $99.
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Choose the right LLC operating agreement package for you

Standard

$99
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    Creation of your operating agreement

Fastest service

Rush

$199
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    Creation of your operating agreement

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    Expedited processing of your paperwork

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    Delivery of your filed doc 2-3 business days after processing

Standard

$99
  • Checkmark icon

    Creation of your operating agreement

Fastest service

Rush

$199
  • Checkmark icon

    Creation of your operating agreement

  • Checkmark icon

    Expedited processing of your paperwork

  • Checkmark icon

    Delivery of your filed doc 2-3 business days after processing

Why use LegalZoom to create your LLC operating agreement?
Convenience
Set up your LLC operating agreement in 3 simple steps from anywhere. Tell us about your business and we'll create your document.
Peace of mind
Feel confident that your LLC operating agreement helps protect your company assets and maintains your limited liability status.

Trusted Partner

We've created over 2.5 million state-specific, up-to-date operating agreements, leveraging our experience to safeguard your LLC and its members.

How to create your LLC operating agreement in 3 easy steps
1
You tell us about your business
Answer a few simple questions about your limited liability company and how you plan on running it.
2
We handle the paperwork
We'll create a personalized LLC operating agreement for you based on your answers and mail it to you.
3
You get it signed
Share your operating agreement with the other members of your LLC and have them sign to make it official.
Why do I need an LLC operating agreement?
Establishes rules
Write out rules for your limited liability company so individual members know how the business will be managed and how to add new members.
Protects your assets
Help ensure all individual members of an LLC are shielded from personal liability and that their personal assets are protected.
Prevents confusion
Avoid misunderstandings among members when everyone agrees on and signs an LLC operating agreement.
What is an LLC operating agreement?
An LLC operating agreement defines the organizational structure of your limited liability company. It establishes guidelines and expectations around finances and ways of working. Operating agreements also outline how the LLC will grow—especially when and how new members can be added—and can help prove to banks and investors that you own your LLC. They can be used for different kinds of LLCs, including single-member and multi-member LLCs.

Without an operating agreement, your LLC will have to be governed by state rules by default.

We make it easy to create an operating agreement—simply answer some questions online and we’ll create your document.
Why do I need an LLC operating agreement?
Personal protection
Operating agreements help limit personal liability by establishing the LLC as separate from owners.
Financial clarity
Financial provisions in an operating agreement establish who can make financial decisions.
Trade secret security
Nondisclosure or non-compete agreements within an operating agreement protect your intellectual property.
Conflict of interest prevention
Operating agreements can outline potential conflicts of interest to help avoid issues later.
Why should I have an LLC operating agreement?
An LLC operating agreement serves three important purposes:
1
Member control
If you don't create your own LLC operating agreement, your business will be governed by the default rules set up by your state.
2
Liability protection
Without an operating agreement, LLC members could be subject to personal liability if your business appears to be operating as a sole proprietorship or partnership.
3
Business clarity
An LLC operating agreement makes the details of your business arrangement clear to all LLC members, minimizing misunderstandings.
LLC operating agreement vs. articles of organization:
What's the difference?
LLC operating agreement
Articles of organization
Internal
Used in-house to outline your business' financial and working guidelines for members.
For the state
Establishes your LLC with the state as an official business entity.
No state fees
You don’t need to file an operating agreement with the state, so there are no state fees.
State fees
Typically state fees for filing articles of organization are $50 to $150.
Required in 5 states
California, New York, Missouri, Maine, and Delaware require LLC operating agreements. No matter what state you’re in, it’s always a good idea to have a formal agreement between an LLC’s members.
Mandatory in all states
All states require articles of organization as part of filing your LLC.
How do I create a simple operating agreement for an LLC?

We make it easy to create your LLC operating agreement—simply answer a few questions online. LLC operating agreements typically include:


• Tax considerations

• Number of members

• Management structure

• Member investments 

• Profit sharing


Should I use an LLC operating agreement template?

We've helped create over 2.5 million operating agreements for our LLC customers based on their answers to some simple questions. Not all online operating agreements are state-specific and up to date, so using a company with lots of experience can help ensure your operating agreement adequately protects you and the members of your LLC.

Start my operating agreement

How do I create an operating agreement for a single-member LLC?
As a single-member LLC, you have complete freedom when drafting your operating agreement—you won’t have to get anyone else to agree on what you’ve written. But you’ll still want to include certain topics, especially if you’re submitting it to lenders or plan to add members later.
Ownership
Specify that you are the sole owner and that you have limited liability.

Management
State your responsibilities as sole manager or responsibilities you are delegating to hired managers.

Contributions and distributions
Address the capital contributions you are making (cash and otherwise) and how you will be distributing losses and profits to yourself.

General rules
Set the basic rules for the management of the LLC, including rules about holding meetings and taking notes.

Dissolution
Create a plan for how you will dissolve the LLC and disperse company assets if necessary.

Signature
Sign the operating agreement, keep it in a safe place, and make a few copies.

Frequently asked questions

What should an operating agreement include?

Operating agreements vary depending on the business and membership interest. But even single-member LLCs typically include the following provisions:

  • Member identifying information
  • Statement of intent
  • Business purposes
  • Operating agreement term
  • Tax treatment
  • Admission of new members

You may also want to include optional items such as capital contributions, member meetings and voting, and dissolution procedures.

How important is an operating agreement for an LLC?

Operating agreements are very important for all new and existing LLCs. Without an operating agreement, you are unable to establish binding rules for your LLC, protect your assets, and solve potential issues and misunderstandings with other members. Your LLC will also have to default to state operating rules.

What is the purpose of an operating agreement?

The purpose of an operating agreement is to define rules and guidelines for a business. It can also protect your business against personal liability, financial liability, trade secret sharing, and conflicts of interest.

Do I need an operating agreement if it's just me?

It’s wise to draft an operating agreement even if you have a single-member LLC. It can help you protect your assets and interests, especially if you decide to add new members in the future. It can also:

  • provide rules that will supersede the default provisions of your state's LLC laws
  • serve as an additional document to show potential lenders
  • specify who will take over management of the business
  • affirm the separation between your business and you personally
Can I make my own operating agreement?

Yes, you can draft one on your own. However, working with us can help you be confident that your operating agreement is done right and sufficiently protects your LLC’s members. It’s a simple, quick way to create an operating agreement by answering just a few questions online.

What is a limited liability company?

A limited liability company, or LLC, is a type of business entity that is authorized by state law. An LLC is specifically designed to have some of the benefits of a corporation with less of the formality.

What is membership interest?

Membership interest signifies a person's ownership in an LLC. A person who has membership interest is entitled to a percentage of the profits and voting rights.

Ready to create your operating agreement?

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What our customers are saying

Great experience

I was put at ease and walked through the process of making revisions to our operating agreement.

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Daniel Watson
December 15, 2025

Thank you, Sarah!

Sarah was prompt and helpful in answering all my questions about operating agreements. She quickly provided the pertinent resources for my situation.

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Becky G.
December 13, 2025

Dex did an excellent job with helping…

Dex did an excellent job with helping me and getting me all that I needed to amend our operating agreement

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Daniella Byxbe
August 13, 2025

Excellent Service

The representative was fantastic. She retrieved everything I needed and then set up a call to adjust my operating agreement.

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Paul Hydrean
July 17, 2025

PRECILLA TANGON is very helpful and…

PRECILLA TANGON is very helpful and knowledgeable, standby to help us for the amendment of the operating agreement.

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Y.F
June 16, 2025

Prompt and Professional

Christal answered my questions as I needed to modify an operating agreement for an LLC.

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Benjamin H.
June 10, 2025

Great Service

Thank you for assisting me in filling my Operating Agreement step by step.

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Justin
March 25, 2025

DJ gave us superb customer service by…

DJ gave us superb customer service by diligently asking and listening to what was required then forwarding us to the right department that would assist and guide us to amending our company's Operating Agreement.

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Maria Tuazon
March 20, 2025

The representative patiently answered my questions

Normina was patient with my questions and helped me find the link for updating the operating agreement.

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Hadi Noori
February 11, 2025

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