Business Formation
Start your business the right way.
Set up your corporation or business structure with proper legal foundations from day one. Decisions made at incorporation can be expensive to revisit, so it's worth getting them right.
The Challenge
DIY incorporation can backfire.
Online incorporation services make it seem easy, but they often leave critical gaps. The wrong structure, missing documents, or improper setup can create costly cleanup down the road.
Choosing the wrong business structure can lead to costly restructuring down the road
Missing shareholder agreements lead to partner disputes and deadlock
Improper share structures create problems when raising investment
Compliance gaps can expose you to personal liability
Need some assistance?
The Solution
A foundation built to last.
Proper Structure
The right entity type for your situation.
Strategic Structuring
Structure designed for flexibility and long-term growth.
Liability Protection
Protect personal assets from business risks.
Growth Ready
Built to accommodate investors and partners.
The Approach
Clearview sets up your business structure strategically, considering your goals, partners, and future plans, not just checking boxes.
Strategic Structure
Clearview helps you choose the right entity type and structure based on your specific situation, liability considerations, and growth plans.
Complete Documentation
You get all the foundational documents you need: articles, bylaws, shareholder agreements, and more.
Future-Proof Setup
Clearview structures things to accommodate future investment, partner changes, and business growth.
Client Reviews
What Clearview clients say.
"Connor made everything clear and approachable from the start. He took the time to walk me through each step, patiently answered all of my questions, and paid close attention to every detail. I truly appreciated how thorough and supportive he was throughout the process."
Francheska G.
"Great experience - Connor did the contracts for my business, he did an excellent job and was a delight to work with."
Amanda C.
"What really stood out was the forward thinking advice he provided beyond just the trademark filing. Connor offered valuable guidance on how to protect and grow my brand long-term, which gave me confidence moving forward with the bigger vision for my corporation."
Wilson L.
The Process
Simple & straightforward.
Consultation
Clearview discusses your business, partners, goals, and any special considerations.
Formation
Clearview prepares and files all incorporation documents and drafts your corporate agreements.
Launch
You receive your complete corporate package, ready to open bank accounts and start operating.
Deliverables
What's included.
Federal or provincial incorporation filing
Articles of incorporation
Corporate bylaws
Initial resolutions and consents
Share certificates
Corporate minute book setup
Initial corporate filings
Post-incorporation guidance
Common Situations
When clients typically reach out.
"An entrepreneur is ready to formalize their side project into a proper business entity."
How Clearview helps:
Clearview sets up the right structure for their situation and ensures all foundational documents are in place.
"Co-founders are starting a company together and want to make sure ownership and roles are clearly defined."
How Clearview helps:
Clearview incorporates the company and drafts a shareholder agreement that addresses the important 'what ifs.'
"A business was incorporated using an online service but is missing key documents or has structural issues."
How Clearview helps:
Clearview reviews what's in place, identifies gaps, and helps clean things up properly.
Why Clearview
The Clearview difference.
Beyond Basic Incorporation
Clearview doesn't just file paperwork. You get help with thinking through structure, ownership, and governance considerations that benefit from a lawyer's input.
Investor-Ready Structures
If you're planning to raise capital, Clearview can set things up properly from the start so you don't have to restructure later.
Clear, Responsive Service
Questions answered promptly. Updates provided proactively. Clearview makes the incorporation process straightforward and stress-free.
Ongoing Relationship
Business formation is often just the beginning. Clearview is here for contracts, IP, compliance, and whatever else your growing business needs.
Related Expertise
Explore related practice areas.
FAQ
Common questions.
Should I incorporate federally or provincially?
It depends on your situation. Federal incorporation can offer name protection across Canada and efficiencies when expanding into other provinces. Provincial incorporation is often simpler for businesses operating in a single province. Once you become a client, Clearview can recommend the best option for you.
Do I need a shareholder agreement?
If you have business partners or co-founders, absolutely. A shareholder agreement addresses what happens if someone wants to leave, dies, becomes disabled, or if partners disagree. Without one, you're governed by default corporate law rules that may not reflect your intentions.
What's the difference between using a lawyer and an online incorporation service?
Online services file basic paperwork but don't provide legal advice. They won't help you choose the right structure, draft shareholder agreements, or consider legal implications. For straightforward single-owner corporations, they may be sufficient. For anything more complex, professional guidance prevents costly mistakes.
How long does incorporation take?
Federal incorporations can often be completed within 1-2 business days once Clearview has all necessary information. Provincial timelines vary. The full package including all documents typically takes less than a week.
Can you help with an existing corporation that wasn't set up properly?
Yes. Clearview can help businesses clean up incomplete incorporations, draft missing shareholder agreements, and restructure entities that weren't set up correctly initially.
Learn More
Related articles.
Ready to start your business?
Get in touch to discuss your business formation needs and choosing the right structure, making sure your business is set up properly from day one.