You get to focus on your business, we take care of the details.

At Ballou Law we can meet you wherever you are in the business process. We have services for new business owners, seasoned professionals and property owners.

 
Business owners meeting with lawyer talk about setting up their corporation

Business Law

When starting a business, you may elect to operate as a sole proprietor, a corporation, a limited liability company (LLC) or other business entity. Our experienced team at Ballou Law can help you decide which corporate structure will work best for your small business.

Once we’ve decided which business entity works best for your specific needs, we will prepare all of the required documents for the formation of the business, assist with initial and annual meetings, and file mandatory annual reports with the Maine Secretary of State. 

  • A Maine corporation is a legal entity established by an individual or group of individuals under the laws of the State of Maine. When a corporation is properly formed and maintained, it can protect stockholders from claims of parties who did not receive personal guarantees from the stockholders if the business fails. A properly formed corporation generally limits the liability of stockholders to the amount of money or property invested in the enterprise.

  • This flexible form of business entity combines the tax advantages of a partnership with the limited liability afforded to corporate shareholders. Owners of an LLC are called members, not shareholders. Members may include individuals, corporations and even other LLCs. Maine law also permits single-member LLCs owned by one individual.

  • A partnership is an association of two or more individuals who co-own a business or enterprise.These owners are responsible for the business, including all liability and any profit or loss. Although the LLC has superseded the partnership as the preferred entity form, a general partnership or limited partnership may be more appropriate in some instances. For example, you may way to create a partnership agreement if you own real estate with someone other than your spouse.

Maine Condominium Law

Residential condominiums and commercial condominiums have become an important form of real estate ownership and investment. We can assist you whether you wish to form, buy, sell or maintain a condominium.

At Ballou Law:

  • We assist our condominium developer clients with complete condominium document preparation and closing representation.

  • We assist our condominium purchaser clients with condominium document review and closing services.

  • We assist our condominium seller clients with condominium unit deed preparation, association dues certificates (a/k/a Resale Certificates), and other closing document requirements.

We also serve as legal counsel and Registered Agent to Condominium Associations assisting with bylaw changes, annual non-profit corporate filings, and other similar legal services.

If you are a member of a homeowner’s association, condominium association or road association, we can help you with:

  • Annual meetings

  • Annual reporting to the Secretary of State’s Office

  • Developer transition

  • Pet policies

  • Guidance with insurance/liability issues

  • Rules drafting

  • Boundary issues with neighboring properties

  • Assessment collection advice

Maine condominium developers having a meeting with lawyer

Registered Agent Services

Maine corporations and LLCs must file an annual report with the Office of the Maine Secretary of State by June 1st of each year in order to retain their good standing to do business in Maine. Is your business, Corporation, or LLC in good standing with the Maine Secretary of State? Are you holding an annual meeting? Are you keeping your company minute book updated? Let us assist you with this annual task so that you can get back to business.

Maine Condominium Associations and other non-profit homeowner associations must maintain their records annually with the Maine Secretary of State.

 “Graystone Builders, Inc has used Ballou Law for over 25 years and are satisfied with all aspects of their work. They have always been extremely reliable and professional. We highly recommend them.”

-Whitney Nelson, Graystone Builders, Inc

Let’s work together.

We would love to offer legal support for all of your business needs. Just fill out our contact from and someone from our team will be in touch shortly.