Erie E-Law is a complimentary service of the Erie County Bar Association designed to make basic legal information available to you with ease. You can gain access to E-Law either by reading the information found below or by contacting us to request a copy of the transcripts.
Bankruptcy is a legal procedure that assists a financially troubled business in dealing with its financial problems. There are two main types of business bankruptcies - Chapter 7, which results in a liquidation of all assets, and Chapter 11, which may result in reorganization or liquidation. When starting a small business, there are numerous steps which must be taken and many factors which should be considered. One of the first steps in starting a business is to determine the form of entity which will operate the business. There are basically four types of business entities: the sole proprietorship, the partnership, the limited liability company and the corporation. When two or more persons decide to organize a business for profit, they must select the type of organization under which they will operate. One such organization is a general partnership. A general partnership is an association of two or more persons who carry on a business for profit as co-owners. You need a patent when you have invented or discovered something new and useful for which people are willing to pay. A patent may be obtained for any new and useful process, machine, or article of manufacture; any new, original and ornamental design for an article of manufacture or a new asexually reproduced plant. The Limited Liability Company (LLC) is a relatively new entity type that is available to business owners and investors, as well as families seeking asset protection opportunities. LLCs are characterized by the limited liability protection granted to their members (owners), like a corporation, but with the option of "pass-through" taxation, like a partnership. Forming a Pennsylvania corporation involves specifically following the Corporation Laws of Pennsylvania. Because a corporation is a separate legal entity created by statute, certain formalities must be followed. The first of these is a basic corporate document known as the Articles of Incorporation.
Business Entity Bankruptcy
Bankruptcy/Debtor Info
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Starting a Small Business
Business Law
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Forming a Partnership
Business Law
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Patents, Copyrights, and Trademarks: When Do I Need One?
Business Law
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Forming a Limited Liability Company in Pennsylvania
Business Law
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Forming a Corporation
Business Law
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