Kentucky LLC Operating Agreement
A Kentucky LLC Operating Agreement, in layman's terms, is similar to a bespoke design for your LLC, establishing a transparent framework for overseeing its activities. Imagine we're enjoying a relaxing coffee break, and I introduce it as your specialized handbook, detailing the operational rules for your business. This includes aspects such as distribution of ownership, the approach to decision-making, and planning for future leadership transitions.
Last Updated: Oct. 23, 2024
Do you need an operating agreement in Kentucky?
No, it's not legally required in Kentucky under § 275.003. Single-member LLCs need an operating agreement to preserve their corporate veil and to prove ownership. And multi-member LLCs need one to help provide operating guidance, determine voting rights and contributions.
Read on to learn more about Kentucky operating agreements, including:
What's included in a Kentucky operating agreement?
Here are some key components that are typically included in a Kentucky LLC operating agreement:
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Name and Purpose
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LLC Management - Member or Manager
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Registered Agent
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LLC Duration
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Capital Contributions
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Indemnification
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LLC Tax Status
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Profit and Loss Distributions
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Amending your LLC
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Corporate Formalities Waiver
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Dissolution
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Effective Date
How do I write my operating agreement?
Let’s take a virtual walk through the key provisions and provide you with some user-friendly pointers and examples to help you glide through each phase.
1. Name and Purpose of your LLC
By this point, you've probably selected a name for your LLC. It's the name you used when you structured your LLC formation documents. But this section also requires you to define your LLC's purpose. Keep it broad to retain flexibility to venture into new business avenues without going through the hassle of paperwork repetitively.
OPERATING AGREEMENT of [COMPANY NAME]
This operating agreement is adopted as of [Date] (the “Effective Date”), by [Member’s Name], an individual and the sole member (the “Member”) of [Company Name] (the “Company”).
The Member hereby adopts this agreement as the operating agreement of the Company, which agreement sets forth the entire understanding of the Member regarding its subject matter and supersedes all prior understandings and agreements regarding its subject matter.
The purpose of the Company is [Company Purpose], and the conduct of other activities as may be necessary or appropriate to promote the stated purposes, and to engage in any other lawful business or activity for which a limited liability company may be organized under the Act.
2. LLC Management - Member or Manager
Now, this is where you specify if your LLC is going to be managed by its members or if you are going to appoint a manager. It details each member's rights and obligations which include capital contributions, voting rights, and management structure. Even if you're a solo entrepreneur, outlining these aspects is critical for legitimation of your single-member LLC.
Member-Managed LLC.
The business and affairs of the Company will be managed by the Member. The vote, action, decision, or consent of the Member will constitute a valid decision of the Member and the Company. The Member may appoint one or more officers (including the Member, if the Member is an individual) who will have such powers and authority to act on behalf of the Company granted to them by the Member.
OR
Manager-Managed LLC.
The business and affairs of the Company will be managed by the manager of the Company and any successor thereto appointed by the Member, which manager may also be referred to as the Company’s president (the “Manager”). The initial Manager will be [Manager Name], who will serve until the Manager’s death, removal by the Member (for any reason or no reason), or resignation. The Manager will have the right and authority to manage the affairs of the Company and make decisions and take action with respect thereto without further approval or consent of any kind by the Member. Except as otherwise required by this agreement and in lieu of any limitations set forth in [State Name]’s laws for limited liability companies (the “Act”), the Manager will be solely responsible for and is hereby authorized to manage and operate the business of the Company. Except to the extent that the authority of the Manager is expressly limited by the Member, the vote, action, decision, or consent of the Manager will constitute a valid decision of the Manager and the Company.
3. Registered Agent
The registered agent is the chosen individual or entity who shoulders the responsibility of receiving and managing significant documents for your company. Incorporating this point within the LLC operating agreement might be a bit redundant, but, it isn't necessarily a must. That's because your registered agent’s details have already been lodged during the formation document filing with your organizing state.
The Company’s registered agent in State is: Registered Agent Name, Address. The members may designate other registered agents or offices at any time in this state or, if necessary, in other states.
4. Duration of Your LLC
When we talk about the ‘term of an LLC’, we are referring to its lifespan. In other words, the duration, as described in your formation documents, which the LLC is intended to exist for. Now, your LLC can have a perpetual (endless) duration, or you could put a time frame to it.
Being 'perpetual' by default is a perk that most states extend, implying that the LLC can exist for as long as you desire — quite a popular choice among the majority of Kentucky LLCs.
The duration of the Company will be perpetual.
5. Capital Contributions
Capital contributions refer to the financial backing - money, property, or services - you infuse into your LLC to jolt its operations into life. For single-member LLCs, it’s like your initial business investment, hence, the luxury of deciding how much wealth or assets you'd like to invest lies solely with you.
Beneath the simplicity of this point lies the equally important necessity to document your capital contributions aptly. Why? It helps render a transparent image of your business's financial skeleton, besides coming in handy for taxation purposes.
The Member’s capital contribution(s) to the capital of the Company for the Member’s membership interest in the Company will be reflected on the books and records of the Company.
OR
The members have made or shall make the contributions of cash, property or services to the LLC as set forth on Exhibit A attached
6. Indemnification
Indemnification clauses in an LLC's Operating Agreement act like shields, helping the company's members dodge certain expenses correlated with legal complications that might emerge from their service for the company. The objective? If a member has been sued concerning their duties for the business, the LLC will push the legal fees or damage payments out of its wallet.
It’s important to articulate when and under which circumstances the LLC will grant this protection and the exceptions to this rule. Generally, indemnification does not cover intentional wrongdoing or gross negligence. Tailoring these terms to your business-specific risks can ensure comprehensive protection.
The Member, the Manager, the officers, and the organizer of the Company and their respective affiliates, stockholders, members, managers, directors, officers, partners, employees, agents, trustees, and representatives (individually, an “Indemnitee”) will be indemnified by the Company against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, expenses (including legal fees and expenses), judgments, fines, settlements, and other amounts arising from any and all claims, demands, actions, suits, or proceedings, civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative, in which the Indemnitee may be involved, or threatened to be involved, as a party or otherwise by reason of the Indemnitee’s status as any of the foregoing, which relates to or arises out of the Company or its assets, business, or affairs, if in each of the foregoing cases (A) the Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner the Indemnitee believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the Company, and, with respect to any criminal proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful, and (B) the Indemnitee’s conduct did not constitute gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct. The termination of any action, suit, or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere, or its equivalent, will not, of itself, create a presumption that the Indemnitee acted in a manner contrary to that specified in clause (A) or (B) above. Any indemnification under this section 5 will be made only out of the assets of the Company, and the Member will not have any personal liability on account thereof.
7. LLC Tax Status
Your Kentucky LLC could be taxed in one of four ways: sole proprietorship, partnership, S-corporation, or C-corporation. The tax treatment is influenced primarily by factors such as the number of members and the tax status the business opts for with the IRS.
Consequently, your LLC's operating agreement ought to dedicate sections elucidating tax status. These would highlight the chosen tax status, the process to alter it, and detail how to handle tax returns and allocations (if applicable). This equips your LLC with a strategy to manage financial affairs, inclusive of profits, losses, dividends, and taxes. The intent? To provide an unambiguous roadmap for managing tax administrative matters.
The Company will be disregarded for federal and state income tax purposes. The admission of one or more additional members, however, will cause the Company to be recognized for tax purposes, and to be taxed, as a partnership.
OR
The Member acknowledges that the Company has elected to be taxed as a corporation for federal tax purposes pursuant to the regulations currently in effect under Section 7701 of the Code, and to be taxed as an electing small business corporation under the provisions of Subchapter S of the Code. Notwithstanding such tax treatment, the Member acknowledges and agrees that the Company will be a limited liability company, for state law purposes, under the provisions of the Act, the Articles of Organization, and this operating agreement.
The Member acknowledges that the Company has filed or will timely file a Form 2553 (Election by a Small Business Corporation) with the Internal Revenue Service and that the election made pursuant to the filing is or will be in force and effect covering all periods since the date of this operating agreement. Except as otherwise provided in this operating agreement, during the term of this operating agreement and the continuation of the Company’s “S” corporation election under Section 1362 of the Internal Revenue Code, no Member shall take any action which would cause the revocation or termination of the Company’s “S” election (under Section 1362(a) of the Internal Revenue Code) and any attempt to take such an action will be null and void and without effect. Without limiting the foregoing, and notwithstanding any provision hereof to the contrary, any transfer or attempt to transfer any membership interest to any of the following will be null, void, and without effect:
(a) a person whose ownership thereof would cause the Company to have a number of Members and assignees of membership interests (shareholders of an “S” corporation) greater than the number permitted by Section 1361(b)(1)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code;
(b) an individual who is not a United States citizen or resident;
(c) a trust (or the trustee thereof) which fails to satisfy the requirements of Section 1361(c)(2)(A) or 1361(d) of the Internal Revenue Code;
(d) a corporation; and
(e)any other entity whose ownership would cause the termination or revocation of the Company’s tax status as an “S” corporation.
8. Profit and Loss Distributions
Your profit and loss distributions section paints a clear picture of the frequency and conditions under which your LLC will circulate any earnings it rakes in. If you're flying solo in a single-member LLC, this point isn't as prominent. However, for multiple-member LLCs, it's essential to clarify exactly when, under what circumstances, and how these distributions will unfold.
As the sole member of the LLC, the Member is entitled to all profits of the LLC and is responsible for all its losses. Profits and losses shall be determined annually and will be allocated to the Member's capital account. Distributions of cash or other assets will be made at such times and in such amounts as deemed appropriate by the Member.
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9. Agreement Amendments
Changes are inevitable in the business world. So, when the need to alter any aspect of your LLC arises, you’ll just need to follow your LLC amendment clause. For single-member LLCs, it's relatively straightforward. For a more crowded LLC structure (multiple members), it is wise to give serious thought to crucial factors such as voting percentages and conditions that need to be met for amendments to be approved.
This agreement and the articles of organization of the Company may not be altered, modified, or changed, and no provision of this agreement may be waived, except by an amendment or waiver, as applicable, approved by the Member.
10. Corporate Formalities Waiver
One of the benefits of LLCs is that they usually aren't expected to adhere to all corporate formalities, unlike their corporation counterparts. But, beware, neglecting formalities could potentially weaken your LLC's ability to maintain its corporate veil (legal separation of your business and personal assets). It’s for this reason that we usually incorporate a waiver of all formalities within the operating agreement.
The failure of the Company or the Member to observe any formalities or requirements relating to the exercise of its powers or management of its business or affairs under this operating agreement or the laws in the state in which the Company is which govern limited liability companies will not be grounds for imposing personal liability on the Member for liabilities of the Company.
11. Dissolution
This easy to overlook section prepares you for the undesired scenarios. It outlines the plan of action for dissolving your LLC and identifies who takes the reins of the LLC if the unexpected occurs - such as your death or incapacitation.
Upon the occurrence of any event which terminates the continued membership of the Member in the Company, the Company will not be dissolved, and the business of the Company will continue. The Member hereby specifically consents to such continuation of the business of the Company upon any such event. The Member’s legal representative, assignee, or successor will automatically become an assignee of the Member’s interest and will automatically become a substitute Member in place of the withdrawn Member.
12. Effective Date
The effective date for your operating agreement is not a mystery – it's simply the day your agreement becomes active, or when it "takes effect". This can sound vague at times, but by putting a firm date on it, you bring certainty and tangibility to your agreement.
Do I need to file my Agreement?
Good news! Your operating agreement doesn't need to battle through the paperwork blizzard at the state or local offices. Unlike your Articles of Organization or Certificate of Formation (depending on where you are), your operating agreement is an internal document. So, all you need to do is sign it, keep a copy in a safe place where you can easily access it when needed. That's it - simple and easy!
What if I need to add another member to my LLC later?
Let's imagine your business is flourishing, and you find yourself in the wonderful position to receive new members to your LLC. This is where a revision or even an overhaul of your current agreement might be needed. This is because the dynamics of multi-member operating agreements are quite different than single-member agreements. Hence, based on the agreement between yourself and new partners, you may need to construct a new agreement. This flexibility allows your business to adapt and grow, without being hampered by outdated agreements.
Now you're equipped with a friendly guide to foster the drafting of your Kentucky LLC Operating Agreement. Remember, as the world of entrepreneurship evolves, so will your practices and legal obligations. Adopting a clear, comprehensive, and adaptable approach to your operating agreement will set the stage for your continued success.
Kentucky LLC Operating Agreement Laws
- Kentucky Revised Statutes § 275.003: In Kentucky, an Operating Agreement is not a legal requirement to form an LLC. However, having one provides clarity to member responsibilities, business operations, and mitigates potential business disputes. It serves as a personalized instruction manual for your LLC.
- Kentucky Revised Statutes § 275.020: To officially establish an LLC in Kentucky, you need to file Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State. Here, you'll find the information required to be included in that essential document.
- Kentucky Revised Statutes § 275.300: Outlines management and regulation of an LLC. Each member has equal rights concerning the management of the business unless the Operating Agreement stipulates a different structure.
- Kentucky Revised Statutes § 275.150: Specifies the limitation of liabilities. Generally, members or managers are not personally responsible for LLC-related debts, allowing them to take entrepreneurial risks without risking personal assets.
- Kentucky Revised Statutes § 275.280: Provides guidelines on dissolution. It outlines the conditions under which an LLC can be dissolved and how the process should be executed, ensuring a smooth closure of business if need be.