New Jersey permits business owners to form limited liability companies, or LLCs, and any substantive legal issues relating to LLCs are governed by state law. The New Jersey Division of Revenue enforces the laws surrounding the formation and dissolution of LLCs in the state. While many states LLC laws share similarities, certain requirements are unique to New Jersey.
Name
Like most states, the New Jersey Limited Liability Company Act prohibits LLC organizers from forming an LLC with the same name as another registered business entity in the state -- unless the LLC organizers obtain written consent from the business. An LLC in New Jersey must contain the phrasing “Limited Liability Company” or the initials “LLC.”
Certificate of Formation
Under the New Jersey LLC Act, one or more persons who have authority to organize the LLC must file a Certificate of Formation with the New Jersey Department of Revenue. In this filing, the organizers must include the name for the LLC, whether the LLC will dissolve on a certain date, and the LLC’s registered agent’s name and address. A registered agent is someone the LLC grants authority to accept important mail like correspondence with the state and other legal notices. The Certificate of Formation must also state that the LLC has at least one member.
Other Issues
An operating agreement sets forth the rights and responsibilities of the individual members. It sets policies for the management and operation of the company, as well as the members' voting rights and initial contributions. New Jersey law does not require that LLC members file an operating agreement with the Department of Revenue. For tax purposes, New Jersey LLCs are usually treated like partnerships where the gains and losses from the LLC “flow through” to the individual members’ personal tax returns. However, in some cases, LLC members can elect to be taxed as a corporation or sole proprietorship. New Jersey LLCs also limit the personal liability of individual members in most cases.
Dissolution
The New Jersey LLC Act only allows members to dissolve an LLC under certain circumstances. If the members state the LLC will dissolve on a certain date in the Certificate of Formation, the LLC will dissolve on that date. If the members list -- in the operating agreement -- specific events that will trigger dissolution, then the LLC's members may dissolve the LLC if such an event occurs. All members may provide written consent to dissolve, or a court may order the LLC to dissolve. Finally, if the LLC loses all of its members -- to retirement, death or otherwise -- then it will automatically be dissolved within 90 days of losing all members, unless it acquires at least one new member during that time.
References
Writer Bio
An attorney and founder of ScrofanoLaw, a general practice law firm in Washington, D.C., Joseph Scrofano has been writing on legal issues since 2008. He holds a Juris Doctor from the Washington College of Law, a Bachelor of Arts with special honors from the University of Texas and a master's degree in international affairs from American University's School of International Service.