Alaska LLC Operating Agreement

An Alaska LLC Operating Agreement is a personalized strategy for your LLC, providing clear direction for its operations. Think of it as a unique handbook outlining ownership interests, decision-making procedures, and succession planning.


Last Updated: Mar. 7, 2025

Operating Agreement
Alaska LLC Operating Agreement Template | Legal GPS
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Member-Managed
Operating Agreement Template
(Default)

$35

Template for Alaska Single-Member, Member-Managed LLCs taxed under the default status.

contractImage D

Member-Managed
Operating Agreement Template
(Default)

$35

Template for Alaska Multi-Member, Member-Managed LLCs taxed under the default status.

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Legal GPS Pro

Get access to all our operating agreements, 100+ other important contract templates, and a step-by-step, interactive platform that will help you build a solid legal foundation for your business. All included in Legal GPS Pro.

Do you need an operating agreement in Alaska?

No, it's not legally required in Alaska under § 10.50.095. Single-member LLCs need an operating agreement to preserve their corporate veil and to prove ownership. And multi-member LLCs need one to help provide operating guidance, determine voting rights and contributions.

What's included in an Alaska operating agreement?

Here are some key components that are typically included in a Alaska LLC operating agreement:

  1. Name and Purpose

  2. LLC Management - Member or Manager

  3. Registered Agent

  4. LLC Duration

  5. Capital Contributions

  6. Indemnification

  7. LLC Tax Status

  8. Profit and Loss Distributions

  9. Amending your LLC

  10. Corporate Formalities Waiver

  11. Dissolution

  12. Effective Date

  13. Voting Rights

How to Draft an Operating Agreement

The guide that follows will run through common provisions encompassed in the agreement, along with sample language for each, acting as your North Star.

1. Name and Purpose of your LLC

By this stage, you've named your LLC (the name you used when you registered your LLC formation papers with the state), but it's also crucial to describe the purpose of your LLC. No need for laser precision here. Keeping your statement broad leaves room for future business opportunities without necessitating re-registration.

OPERATING AGREEMENT of [COMPANY NAME]

This operating agreement is adopted as of [Date] (the “Effective Date”), by [Member’s Name], an individual and the sole member (the “Member”) of [Company Name] (the “Company”).

 

The Member hereby adopts this agreement as the operating agreement of the Company, which agreement sets forth the entire understanding of the Member regarding its subject matter and supersedes all prior understandings and agreements regarding its subject matter. 

 

The purpose of the Company is [Company Purpose], and the conduct of other activities as may be necessary or appropriate to promote the stated purposes, and to engage in any other lawful business or activity for which a limited liability company may be organized under the Act.

2. LLC Management - Member or Manager

This section will identify if your LLC will be managed by a member or manager. It also defines the rights and duties of each member, including capital contributions, voting rights, and management frameworks. Even if you’re the lone member, this section is fundamental to legitimizing your single-member LLC.

Member-Managed LLC.

The business and affairs of the Company will be managed by the Member. The vote, action, decision, or consent of the Member will constitute a valid decision of the Member and the Company. The Member may appoint one or more officers (including the Member, if the Member is an individual) who will have such powers and authority to act on behalf of the Company granted to them by the Member.

OR

Manager-Managed LLC.

The business and affairs of the Company will be managed by the manager of the Company and any successor thereto appointed by the Member, which manager may also be referred to as the Company’s president (the “Manager”). The initial Manager will be [Manager Name], who will serve until the Manager’s death, removal by the Member (for any reason or no reason), or resignation. The Manager will have the right and authority to manage the affairs of the Company and make decisions and take action with respect thereto without further approval or consent of any kind by the Member. Except as otherwise required by this agreement and in lieu of any limitations set forth in [State Name]’s laws for limited liability companies (the “Act”), the Manager will be solely responsible for and is hereby authorized to manage and operate the business of the Company. Except to the extent that the authority of the Manager is expressly limited by the Member, the vote, action, decision, or consent of the Manager will constitute a valid decision of the Manager and the Company.

3. Registered Agent

The registered agent is in charge of receiving and handling essential paperwork on your LLC’s behalf. Some operating agreements may call for including this, but it’s not a must-have since you've listed it on your registration documents with the state.

The Company’s registered agent in State is: Registered Agent Name, Address. The members may designate other registered agents or offices at any time in this state or, if necessary, in other states.

4. LLC Duration

Think of this as your LLC's shelf life. It’s the period for which your LLC is intended to exist and is determined in your formation documents. Although several business owners create LLCs intending them to operate in perpetuity, you also have the option of specifying a fixed term or end date.

LLCs are naturally "perpetual" in most states, implying they can operate as long as you wish. Most Alaskan LLCs prefer an indefinite lifespan. Here is a sample provision:

The duration of the Company will be perpetual.

5. Capital Contributions

Capital contributions are akin to the initial investment made to commence your LLC operations. It could be via funds, property, or services. For single-member LLCs, the sole owner may make capital contributions, providing flexibility in deciding the nature of the investment.

Proper documentation of these contributions is crucial. Doing so provides a transparent picture of your LLC's financial health and offers valuable tax-related details.

The Member’s capital contribution(s) to the capital of the Company for the Member’s membership interest in the Company will be reflected on the books and records of the Company.

OR

The members have made or shall make the contributions of cash, property or services to the LLC as set forth on Exhibit A attached

6. Indemnification

Indemnification clauses in an LLC’s operating agreement serve as a safety harness, shielding the LLC's members from certain legal expenses resulting from their duties to the company. If a member encounters a lawsuit related to their LLC duties, this provision ensures that the LLC assumes legal fees or damages.

The agreement should precisely define when and under what circumstances these protective measures kick in. Ordinarily, indemnification does not cover willful misbehavior or severe negligence. Tailoring these terms to your unique business risks ensures you’re adequately covered.

The Member, the Manager, the officers, and the organizer of the Company and their respective affiliates, stockholders, members, managers, directors, officers, partners, employees, agents, trustees, and representatives (individually, an “Indemnitee”) will be indemnified by the Company against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, expenses (including legal fees and expenses), judgments, fines, settlements, and other amounts arising from any and all claims, demands, actions, suits, or proceedings, civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative, in which the Indemnitee may be involved, or threatened to be involved, as a party or otherwise by reason of the Indemnitee’s status as any of the foregoing, which relates to or arises out of the Company or its assets, business, or affairs, if in each of the foregoing cases (A) the Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner the Indemnitee believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the Company, and, with respect to any criminal proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful, and (B) the Indemnitee’s conduct did not constitute gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct. The termination of any action, suit, or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere, or its equivalent, will not, of itself, create a presumption that the Indemnitee acted in a manner contrary to that specified in clause (A) or (B) above. Any indemnification under this section 5 will be made only out of the assets of the Company, and the Member will not have any personal liability on account thereof.

contractImage D

Member-Managed
Operating Agreement Template
(Default)

$35

Template for Alaska Single-Member, Member-Managed LLCs taxed under the default status.

contractImage D

Member-Managed
Operating Agreement Template
(Default)

$35

Template for Alaska Multi-Member, Member-Managed LLCs taxed under the default status.

Legal-GPS-Hero-Image-5

Legal GPS Pro

Get access to all our operating agreements, 100+ other important contract templates, and a step-by-step, interactive platform that will help you build a solid legal foundation for your business. All included in Legal GPS Pro.

7. LLC Tax Status

An Alaskan LLC can adopt one of four tax designations: a sole proprietorship, partnership, S corporation, or C corporation. The chosen tax status of your LLC is influenced by member count and the tax status your business elects with the IRS.

Include tax status-related sections in your LLC operating agreement. These sections should discuss your chosen tax status, how to change it, and handle tax returns and allocations (as applicable). These provisions safeguard your LLC’s financials, including profits, losses, dividends, taxes, and more. Providing a clear direction for managing any tax-related issues is key.

The Company will be disregarded for federal and state income tax purposes. The admission of one or more additional members, however, will cause the Company to be recognized for tax purposes, and to be taxed, as a partnership.

OR

The Member acknowledges that the Company has elected to be taxed as a corporation for federal tax purposes pursuant to the regulations currently in effect under Section 7701 of the Code, and to be taxed as an electing small business corporation under the provisions of Subchapter S of the Code. Notwithstanding such tax treatment, the Member acknowledges and agrees that the Company will be a limited liability company, for state law purposes, under the provisions of the Act, the Articles of Organization, and this operating agreement.

 

The Member acknowledges that the Company has filed or will timely file a Form 2553 (Election by a Small Business Corporation) with the Internal Revenue Service and that the election made pursuant to the filing is or will be in force and effect covering all periods since the date of this operating agreement. Except as otherwise provided in this operating agreement, during the term of this operating agreement and the continuation of the Company’s “S” corporation election under Section 1362 of the Internal Revenue Code, no Member shall take any action which would cause the revocation or termination of the Company’s “S” election (under Section 1362(a) of the Internal Revenue Code) and any attempt to take such an action will be null and void and without effect. Without limiting the foregoing, and notwithstanding any provision hereof to the contrary, any transfer or attempt to transfer any membership interest to any of the following will be null, void, and without effect:

 

(a) a person whose ownership thereof would cause the Company to have a number of Members and assignees of membership interests (shareholders of an “S” corporation) greater than the number permitted by Section 1361(b)(1)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code;

 

(b) an individual who is not a United States citizen or resident;

 

(c) a trust (or the trustee thereof) which fails to satisfy the requirements of Section 1361(c)(2)(A) or 1361(d) of the Internal Revenue Code;

 

(d) a corporation; and

 

(e)any other entity whose ownership would cause the termination or revocation of the Company’s tax status as an “S” corporation.

8. Profit and Loss Distributions

The profit and loss distribution clause outlines when your LLC will distribute its earnings. For a single-member LLC, this is usually simpler but for multi-member LLCs, carefully detail when, what's needed and how the distributions occur.

As the sole member of the LLC, the Member is entitled to all profits of the LLC and is responsible for all its losses. Profits and losses shall be determined annually and will be allocated to the Member's capital account. Distributions of cash or other assets will be made at such times and in such amounts as deemed appropriate by the Member.  

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9. Amending your LLC

Modifications are a natural part of running a business, and your LLC is no different. If there's a need to change any terms in your LLC, you just follow the amending process outlined in your LLC operating agreement clause. This procedure is typically simpler for single-member LLCs. For multi-member LLCs, carefully consider the voting percentages and what's required to alter the operating agreement.

This agreement and the articles of organization of the Company may not be altered, modified, or changed, and no provision of this agreement may be waived, except by an amendment or waiver, as applicable, approved by the Member.

10. Corporate Formalities Waiver

By their very nature, LLCs aren't generally expected to adhere to corporate formalities; that's a characteristic of corporations. However, in certain situations, neglecting such formalities could potentially undermine your corporate veil. As such, it is beneficial to include a waiver of all formalities in the operating agreement.

The failure of the Company or the Member to observe any formalities or requirements relating to the exercise of its powers or management of its business or affairs under this operating agreement or the laws in the state in which the Company is which govern limited liability companies will not be grounds for imposing personal liability on the Member for liabilities of the Company.

11. Dissolution

Think of this as your backup plan for what happens if things don't go exactly as intended. This section provides guidance on how to appropriately close down your LLC and decide who will retain control in the event of your own unexpected exit.

Upon the occurrence of any event which terminates the continued membership of the Member in the Company, the Company will not be dissolved, and the business of the Company will continue. The Member hereby specifically consents to such continuation of the business of the Company upon any such event. The Member’s legal representative, assignee, or successor will automatically become an assignee of the Member’s interest and will automatically become a substitute Member in place of the withdrawn Member.

12. Effective Date

This denotes the date your operating agreement becomes active. Another way to think of it is the commencement date of your agreement.

13. Voting Rights

Voting rights help you define how decisions are made in your LLC—by ownership percentage or equal votes per member. Set clear rules for major decisions, tie-breakers, and unanimous consent to prevent disputes and streamline governance.

"Voting rights shall be based on each Member’s ownership percentage in the Company. Decisions requiring a vote shall be approved by a majority of the ownership interest unless otherwise specified. In the event of a tie, the matter shall be reconsidered in a subsequent meeting or resolved by [designated tie-breaker, e.g., Managing Member or third-party mediator]."

 

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Do you need to formally file your Agreement?

Absolutely not! In contrast to your Articles of Organization, your operating agreement is an internal document. You merely keep it in your company's records. Just sign it, maintain a record, and ensure it's readily accessible when needed.

What if you need to add another member to your LLC later on?

Expansion is often the goal for most small business owners. If your business ventures have led to growth beyond your solo capacity, and you need to add another member to your LLC, you'll have to redo the paperwork consistent with the terms laid out in your agreement with the new partner. Very likely, you'll need to create an entirely new agreement, as a multi-member operating agreement significantly differs from that of a single-member LLC.

Alaska LLC Operating Agreement Laws

  • Alaska LLC Law § 10.50.105: allows any LLC to change its articles of organization whenever needed. After making any changes, the LLC must file this updated version with the right department. These changes should be properly labeled as "restated articles," making it clear in the title or initial paragraph that changes have occurred. They should include the current LLC name, any old names if it has been changed, and the original articles' filing date. Essentially, it's your LLC's chance to make necessary updates and keep official records in check.
  • Alaska LLC Law § 10.50.600: is all about governing foreign LLCs doing business in Alaska. This section explains that a foreign LLC's organization and internal affairs are under the jurisdiction of its home state, as long as it does not contradict Alaska's constitution. Also, the registration of a foreign LLC cannot be denied just because its home state's laws differ from Alaska's. So, even if your foreign LLC has followed rules specific to another state, Alaska will still give it a fair chance to register and conduct business there.
  • Alaska LLC Law § 10.50.080: Discusses when a Limited Liability Company (LLC) is considered to be officially formed or "organized" in the state of Alaska. It says that this happens when the LLC's organizing document (also known as their "articles of organization") meets all the proper requirements and is delivered to the right department for filing. Basically, it's saying that your LLC becomes legitimate when you've done everything right and your application is in the hands of the authorities.
  • Alaska LLC Law § 10.50.380: Outlines the rights of a judgment creditor to an LLC member's stake. If a member owes money, a court can allow the creditor to claim the member's LLC stake. But, it does come with limitations - the creditor only gets "assignee" rights, meaning they can't leverage all member rights. This method is the only avenue a creditor has to access the LLC interests to satisfy a debt. Remember, any state-exempt portion of your LLC interests is safe. This rule holds true for both single-member and multi-member LLCs.

contractImage D

Member-Managed
Operating Agreement Template
(Default)

$35

Template for Alaska Single-Member, Member-Managed LLCs taxed under the default status.

contractImage D

Member-Managed
Operating Agreement Template
(Default)

$35

Template for Alaska Multi-Member, Member-Managed LLCs taxed under the default status.

Legal-GPS-Hero-Image-5

Legal GPS Pro

Get access to all our operating agreements, 100+ other important contract templates, and a step-by-step, interactive platform that will help you build a solid legal foundation for your business. All included in Legal GPS Pro.