Business Formation
We help with LLC, S Corp, C Corp, or nonprofit formation, complete with EIN, operating agreements, and registered agent: the full package.
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Counsel that moves at the speed of your business.
From LLC formation to contract negotiation and business acquisitions. Build it right from day one, structure it to scale, and exit on your terms.
Trust a Local Specialist
Strategic guidance from day one to exit day.
Costaras Law serves as the proactive outside counsel for Northeast Ohio's growing companies. We focus on business transactions (formation, contracts, M&A, and succession). For clients needing litigation, we'll refer to the specialized attorneys we would use ourselves.
By staying in our lane, we're able to deliver at a higher level. We offer flat fees, fast turnarounds, and one attorney personally handling your matter from start to finish.
Five Practice Sub-Areas
Structure, protect, and exit.
Contracts & Agreements
Service agreements, NDAs, and vendor contracts drafted, reviewed, and negotiated so you know exactly what you're signing.
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Succession & Buy-Sell Planning
Buy-sell agreements, ownership transitions, and exit strategies for closely-held Ohio businesses.
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Mergers & Acquisitions
Buy or sell with confidence: we advise on due diligence, deal structure, and closings for small and mid-size Ohio businesses.
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Compliance
We help navigate the annual filings, governance, and regulatory checkups that keep your LLC or corporation's liability protection intact.
Learn moreCommon Business Entities
Choosing the right entity.
Each entity offers a different mix of liability protection, tax treatment, and operational flexibility. We help you choose the best fit along with your accountant.
Limited Liability Company (LLC)
The default for most Ohio small businesses and real estate investors. Liability protection plus pass-through taxation.
S Corporation Election
Tax-saving election for profitable LLCs and small corporations. Cuts self-employment tax when revenue grows.
C Corporation
Built for scale, outside investors, and stock-based compensation. The right structure when you're raising capital.
Nonprofit Entities
501(c)(3) formation, board governance, and ongoing compliance for mission-driven Ohio organizations.
“Most firms default to 'no,' pile on delays, and bill by the hour. We move your business forward with clear, fast, outcome-driven counsel.”
What You Get
Strategic guidance, from filing to growth.
- Strategic guidance on entity selection alongside your accountant
- Complete filing package, from formation to EIN and banking setup
- Tailored operating or shareholder agreements
- Registered agent services in Ohio for privacy
- Clear timelines and communication so you can get down to business
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions, straight answers.
You can, but most clients come to us for the convenience and peace of mind of having it set up right from the start: the entity formed, the tax ID handled, and the structure matched to their situation. When your ownership setup calls for an operating agreement, we prepare that too.
You should form a business entity before you buy a business property, sign a contract, or hire your first employee. Liability protection only applies to what happens after the entity is formed.
No. We focus on transactions: formation, contracts, M&A, succession. If you need a litigator, we refer you to one we trust.
Filing with the Ohio Secretary of State is same-day in most cases. The full package (entity + EIN + operating agreement + banking setup) typically takes 5–10 business days.