Home Blog Articles of Incorporation Drafting: Key Terms, Tips, Filing

Articles of Incorporation Drafting: Key Terms, Tips, Filing

Jump to Section

Quick Facts — Articles of Incorporation Lawyers

What are Articles of Incorporation Drafting?

Articles of incorporation are formal documents that are required when establishing your corporation. When they’re submitted and filed, your business becomes an entity, enabling you to enter into agreements, purchase assets, and conduct other activities.

When drafting articles of incorporation, you need to pay attention to specific details that need to be included.

In the rest of this article, we’ll explore key terms that should be included in articles of incorporation, how to draft these legal documents for clarity, and why you should consider hiring a lawyer for assistance with the articles of incorporation drafting process.

What Key Terms Should Be in Articles of Incorporation?

Articles of incorporation should include the following information:

  • Company name. The legal name of the company must be included.
  • Principal address. This is the address of the company’s headquarters.
  • Statement of purpose. This describes the corporation’s activities and reason for existing. The phrase “any lawful purpose” can be included in the description to enable the company to grow and expand in future.
  • Incorporators and directors. There can be a section included that mentions the people responsible for creating and managing the corporation early on.
  • Capital stock. This details the types and numbers of shares the company can issue to its shareholders.
  • Registered agent. This is the person who will receive legal notices for the corporation. They must be named for clarity.
  • Duration. This states if the corporation will be in operation for a certain amount of time or indefinitely.
  • Indemnification. This can be included in the document to specify certain liabilities from which the directors are protected.

What are Tips for Drafting Articles of Incorporation?

There are many details involved in drafting articles of incorporation. To avoid making mistakes, here are some things to consider.

Check it for Accuracy

Make sure you don’t make any spelling mistakes or include incorrect details as this can cause your articles of incorporation to be rejected. You must also commit to keeping the articles of incorporation updated should something change, such as if you’ve changed your list of directors.

Include Information About Shares

You’ll need to include the number of authorized shares, which refers to the maximum number of shares your corporation is allowed to issue. Remember that the total issued shares can’t exceed the authorized amount.

There are also state-specific rules that might apply. For example, in some states your articles must specify if the corporation is authorized to issue multiple classes of stock.

Explain the Corporate Structure

You must clearly define your corporate structure, such as if it’s non-profit, closely held, professional, stock or non-stock. Again, the type of structure you can use will vary depending on the state where you live.

File the Articles Correctly

Filing articles of incorporation is important and requires specific steps. These include selecting the right jurisdiction, which should be aligned with your regulatory requirements and operations.

You’ll also need to fill out a form that’s required to file your articles of incorporation. This will include details such as your registered agent details, share terms, and the name and purpose of your business. An attorney can draft the form you need.

It’s fine to submit the documents in various ways, such as by mail, by visiting the secretary or department of state’s office in person, or online at the official Secretary of State or Department of State website in your state.

Note that how you file can vary in different locations. By noting these fine details, you’ll ensure you file correctly and avoid issues.

Do You Need to Hire a Lawyer to Draft Articles of Incorporation?

Working with a lawyer to draft and file your articles of incorporation is a good idea. A lawyer will ensure legal compliance, such as by preparing your documents so that you remain compliant with all state laws and filing requirements.

Here are other ways in which a lawyer will help you draft your articles of incorporation:

  • They’ll avoid making costly errors in the articles that can cause filing problems, such as delays or rejections.
  • They’ll consider your business ownership and operational needs.
  • They’ll protect your interests by including liability protections.
  • They’ll ensure that your articles of incorporation are aligned with other company documents, such as shareholder agreements and bylaws.
  • They’ll structure your corporation properly depending on your state’s requirements, while also evaluating how it affects tax and regulatory treatments.
  • They’ll reduce the risk of disputes by making all provisions in the document clear and easy to understand.
  • They’ll provide legal advice throughout the process of drafting your articles of incorporation.

Where to Find a Lawyer for Articles of Incorporation Drafting

If you need to hire a lawyer to help you draft articles of incorporation, you don’t have to wonder where to find one. Instead of having to conduct your own research, which can be time consuming, you can make use of an online legal platform where you can access a network of qualified lawyers.

ContractsCounsel is one of the largest online legal marketplaces that provides access to a network of vetted lawyers. All lawyers on the platform have years of experience in contract drafting and review.

To request that a lawyer on the platform drafts your articles of incorporation, here are the easy steps to follow.

  1. Go to the ContractsCounsel marketplace.
  2. Post your project for free. Include a few details to help you find the most suitable lawyer.
  3. Receive multiple bids from lawyers on the platform who have the experience to help you.
  4. Review the lawyers’ profiles. The platform provides extensive lawyer data, such as their credentials, location, client ratings for previous projects, and expertise.
  5. Connect with a lawyer you think is best suited to your requirements and hire them to draft your articles of incorporation for a flat fee.


ContractsCounsel is not a law firm, and this post should not be considered and does not contain legal advice. To ensure the information and advice in this post are correct, sufficient, and appropriate for your situation, please consult a licensed attorney. Also, using or accessing ContractsCounsel's site does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and ContractsCounsel.


Need to file articles of incorporation?

Create a free project posting
Clients Rate Lawyers 4.9 Stars
based on 24,600 reviews

Meet some of our Lawyers

Keidi C. on ContractsCounsel
View Keidi
5.0 (20)
Member Since:
August 25, 2021

Keidi C.

Principal Attorney
Free Consultation
Boston, MA
28 Yrs Experience
Licensed in MA, NY
New England Law | Boston

Keidi S. Carrington brings a wealth of legal knowledge and business experience in the financial services area with a particular focus on investment management. She is a former securities examiner at the United States Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) and Associate Counsel at State Street Bank & Trust and has consulted for various investment houses and private investment entities. Her work has included developing a mutual fund that invested in equity securities of listed real estate investment trusts (REITs) and other listed real estate companies; establishing private equity and hedge funds that help clients raise capital by preparing offering materials, negotiating with prospective investors, preparing partnership and LLC operating agreements and advising on and documenting management arrangements; advising on the establishment of Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs/Token Offerings) and counseling SEC registered and state investment advisers regarding organizational structure and compliance. Ms. Carrington is a graduate of Johns Hopkins University with a B.A. in International Relations. She earned her Juris Doctorate from New England Law | Boston and her LL.M. in Banking and Financial Law from Boston University School of Law. She is admitted to practice in Massachusetts and New York. Currently, her practice focuses on assisting investors, start-ups, small and mid-size businesses with their legal needs in the areas of corporate and securities law.

Recent  ContractsCounsel Client  Review:
5.0

"Received very meaningful advice and I hope to work with you in the future."

Allen L. on ContractsCounsel
View Allen
4.9 (289)
Member Since:
October 23, 2025

Allen L.

CEO, Attorney, Certified Master Financial Coach
Free Consultation
Georgia
27 Yrs Experience
Licensed in GA
Georgia

Clear, strategic legal guidance when you need it most—whether you're planning ahead or defending a position. Legal challenges shouldn't feel confusing or overwhelming. Whether you're building an estate plan, structuring a business, or navigating a dispute, my practice is built on clarity, care, and practical strategy. I work with clients who want real solutions—not just paperwork—through planning and advice that truly fits their goals, families, and businesses. Planning & Structure I focus on estate planning, asset protection, and business succession, helping individuals and entrepreneurs organize their assets, reduce risk, and prepare for every stage of life. Whether you're setting up your first living trust, shielding your business from liability, or updating an existing estate plan, you'll receive clear guidance, fixed-fee pricing, and responsive support from start to finish. Each plan I design is tailored to your real-world priorities: preserving wealth, avoiding unnecessary taxes and probate, and ensuring the people you love are protected when it matters most. I also focus on general business matters outlined below. Disputes & Defense When legal conflicts arise—disputed contracts, demand letters, settlement negotiations, or litigation decisions—I provide realistic risk assessment and strategic guidance. I help clients understand their actual exposure (not just best-case scenarios), identify leverage points, and navigate toward efficient resolution. If you're facing a legal claim or need to evaluate your position before responding, I can walk you through the realistic options and their costs. Services: Estate Planning & Asset Protection --Simple wills and powers of attorney --Living trusts for small estates --Buy-sell agreements for family businesses Business Formation & Agreements --LLC or S-Corp formation filings --Operating Agreements / Shareholder Agreements --Founder or Investor Agreements --Bylaws and Minutes templates --Registered agent setup guidance Contracts & Commercial Matters --Service Agreements (consulting, marketing, software, design, etc.) --Independent Contractor Agreements --Employment contracts and offer letters --Non-compete, non-solicitation, or confidentiality agreements --Employee handbooks or HR policy updates --Termination or severance agreements --NDAs (Non-Disclosure Agreements) --Partnership or Joint Venture Agreements --Sales or Vendor Contracts --Licensing or IP Agreements Terms and conditions SaaS Platforms --Terms of Service --Privacy Policy --Independent Contractor Agreements --Customer/User Agreements --Liability Waivers --Cancellation & Refund Policy --Non-Solicitation Clauses --Marketplace compliance documents Real Estate --Commercial lease drafting or review --Residential lease review --Purchase & sale agreements --Short-term rental (Airbnb) contracts --Property management agreements Professional Approach: I leverage modern legal research and writing technologies—including AI-assisted tools—to enhance the quality, speed, and clarity of my analysis. Like many legal professionals today, I use these tools to organize research, improve communication, and catch errors. On research tools: case law and statutory verification runs through a vLex/Fastcase subscription, and drafting and first-pass review is AI-assisted. Every analysis I provide is thoroughly reviewed and reflects my independent professional judgment as a licensed attorney. AI is a tool that supports my work; it does not replace it.

Recent  ContractsCounsel Client  Review:
5.0

"Allen was extremely helpful, provided excellent guidance, even beyond the exact scope of work which a professional and experienced legal advisor would. And provided a detailed and consumable work product on time and communicated clearly how to proceed. Thank you."

Tim E. on ContractsCounsel
View Tim
4.8 (65)
Member Since:
August 12, 2020

Tim E.

Business Contracts, LLC Agreements & Business Purchases | Ohio Attorney
Free Consultation
Cleveland, OH
12 Yrs Experience
Licensed in OH
Cleveland State University College of Law

I help small businesses, entrepreneurs, and business owners draft, review, and negotiate the agreements behind their operations and transactions. My work includes service agreements and MSAs, LLC operating and shareholder agreements, business purchase documents, commercial leases, independent contractor agreements, and NDAs. My approach is practical: understand what you are trying to accomplish, identify the terms that materially affect the deal, and deliver clear, usable documents without unnecessary complexity. For reviews, I focus on meaningful risks and proposed solutions, with redlines and plain-English explanations. I offer fixed-fee services for defined projects, from a single contract review to a broader business transaction. Each proposal identifies the deliverables, revision scope, and expected turnaround so you know what is included before we begin.

Recent  ContractsCounsel Client  Review:
5.0

"Excellent experience with Tim on my relatively complex EULA for a suite of network appliance products. Tim was very fair with pricing, responsive, diligent, thorough, technically knowledgeable, took the time to address all my questions and concerns, and finished (with revision) on schedule and budget. Great experience overall and I'll definitely be using Tim for more work in the future with my business. I'll also be using Contract Counsel and recommending it to everyone I know as well! THANK YOU! -Devin"

Kristen R. on ContractsCounsel
View Kristen
4.9 (32)
Member Since:
January 10, 2022
Jimmy V. on ContractsCounsel
View Jimmy
5.0 (26)
Member Since:
February 10, 2023

Jimmy V.

Attorney
Free Consultation
Austin, Texas
45 Yrs Experience
Licensed in TX
University os San Diego

Hello, I can help you with this project. I’m a semi-retired, long-time US attorney with substantial experience in business and corporate law. I help startups and small businesses prepare and file the documents necessary to set up corporations or LLCs.

Recent  ContractsCounsel Client  Review:
5.0

"Jimmy was excellent to work with. Very informative, gave me several options, communicated every day and completed the project ahead of schedule. I would highly recommend him if you are starting a new business and need help."

Jarrett S. on ContractsCounsel
View Jarrett
5.0 (3)
Member Since:
October 14, 2020

Jarrett S.

Startup Attorney
Free Consultation
Marietta, Georgia
18 Yrs Experience
Licensed in GA
Emory University School of Law

I work with early stage startups (in Georgia and internationally) with their formation, contract, patent and investment needs.

Recent  ContractsCounsel Client  Review:
5.0

"Jarrett was very transparent and easy to work with. We’ll definitely be using him again."

Benjamin M. on ContractsCounsel
View Benjamin
Member Since:
October 26, 2020

Benjamin M.

Attorney
Free Consultation
Atlanta, GA
14 Yrs Experience
Licensed in GA
Georgia State University

Experienced Attorney focused on transactional law, payments processing, banking and finance law, and working with fintech companies with a demonstrated history of driving successful negotiations in technology sourcing and transactions and strong understanding of government contracts and the procurement process

Find the best lawyer for your project

Browse Lawyers Now

See Real Articles of Incorporation (Corporations) Projects

Utah Company Creation Documents Drafting
  • Utah
  • 5 lawyer bids
  • $525 - $1,900
View Details
Florida AMPOWER CORP Drafting
  • Florida
  • 5 lawyer bids
  • $238 - $2,000
View Details
Ohio A great 50% 30% 20% operating agreement Drafting
  • Ohio
  • 2 lawyer bids
  • $495 - $700
View Details
New Jersey New Business set up (New Jersey) Drafting
  • New Jersey
  • 10 lawyer bids
  • $250 - $5,000
View Details
Washington File Articles of Incorporation Prepare & File
  • Washington
  • 5 lawyer bids
  • $300 - $999
View Details
Oklahoma Articles of Incorporation Drafting
  • Oklahoma
  • 5 lawyer bids
  • $300 - $899
View Details

See all Articles of Incorporation (Corporations) projects

Quick, user friendly and one of the better ways I've come across to get ahold of lawyers willing to take new clients.

View Trustpilot Review

Need to file articles of incorporation?

Create a free project posting
Clients Rate Lawyers 4.9 Stars
based on 24,600 reviews
CONTRACT LAWYERS BY TOP CITIES
See All Corporate Lawyers
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION DRAFTING LAWYERS BY CITY
See All Articles Of Incorporation Drafting Lawyers

Contracts Counsel was incredibly helpful and easy to use. I submitted a project for a lawyer's help within a day I had received over 6 proposals from qualified lawyers. I submitted a bid that works best for my business and we went forward with the project.

View Trustpilot Review

I never knew how difficult it was to obtain representation or a lawyer, and ContractsCounsel was EXACTLY the type of service I was hoping for when I was in a pinch. Working with their service was efficient, effective and made me feel in control. Thank you so much and should I ever need attorney services down the road, I'll certainly be a repeat customer.

View Trustpilot Review

I got 5 bids within 24h of posting my project. I choose the person who provided the most detailed and relevant intro letter, highlighting their experience relevant to my project. I am very satisfied with the outcome and quality of the two agreements that were produced, they actually far exceed my expectations.

View Trustpilot Review

Need to file articles of incorporation?

Create a free project posting
Clients Rate Lawyers 4.9 Stars
based on 24,600 reviews

Want to speak to someone?

Get in touch below and we will schedule a time to connect!

Request a call

Find lawyers and attorneys by city