I want to start a business, basically a completely online bases business and I will only offer services (no tangible goods) like domain name registration, web hosting and web design. I want to form a LLC with a partner, who is based in London, UK. I myself am located in Wisconsin, US and thats also where I want to form it.
Now I called up several local lawyers and asked them for a quote of how much it would cost to just register the business (and thats really all I want). First one I contacted was from vonBriesen (www.vonBriesen.com) and he quoted me at $135 state filing charges and $300-500 for the documents. An attorney from Cook & Frank (www.cf-law.com) quoted me at $2000. Another attorney quoted me in the thousand range and one even at $5,000.
Now I dont really know whats going on, how come theres such a huge gap between the first quote and the rest? I just want to register the company, I know I can file it myself but it asks for a registered agent and I'm not sure if I can put my own contact in there. What do you guyz think and how did u register your company [it's implied that you have one]? Did you register it through a lawyer or some online site?
Thanks and appreciate your replies :)

You should ask just what these "documents" entail.

It sounds pretty much like MN as far as setting up an LLC go. Here, it is really as easy as:

1) Finding a name you want and making sure no one else has it.
2) Filling out the LLC organization form
3) Sending in $135 plus whatever the name reservation costs.
4) Assumed name

I would recommend sitting down with the tax man first before you make a move. Knowing your responsibilities, deadlines, obligations, etc will make this much easier and a high-priced lawyer much less important.

You dont NEED a lawyer to setup your LLC. You need to be educated however.

I am not sure if you can have an LLC based in WI with international members. Might want to check into that.

I had this same question a while back and another big question was how do taxes work out? We are both getting payments off the same merchant account so do I have to pay taxes on everything that is made total then the other partner has to pay taxes in his country also or do I just claim 1/2 of the total year revenue and he does the same

I agree with innova, just file it yourself. Its not that hard and you will be saving yourself a lot of money.

Found this on google, and it will only cost you $130 - https://www.wdfi.org/corporations/quickstart/llc/intropage.asp

thanks for the replies guyz.

1) Finding a name you want and making sure no one else has it
I want to register "Promotion 24 LLC" and noone else has it nor does anyone have anything similar to that. (I checked here http://www.wdfi.org/corporations/crispix/default.asp?radSearchBy=0&txtSearchText=Promotion+24)

2) Filling out the LLC organization form[/]
Do you perhaps know what form that is?

[i]3) Sending in $135 plus whatever the name reservation costs.
Ok, that I would do when having the form ready.

4) Assumed name
With assumed name u mean fictional name or DBA, right? Well, I don't really need/want to change it, Promotion 24, LLC, its fine that way for me.

So you think I should rather get down with an accountant than an attorney?

Still one question thats unanswered, when filing this on my own, it asks for registered agent, can I put my own personal contact in there?

Did you see this at the bottom?

Note: If the physical address of any organizer/contact person is outside of the United States, the filing cannot be accomplished using QuickStart LLC.

Does anyone know if you are in North Carolina if you can partner with someone in the UK and get an S-Corp based in North Carolina?

yes OKIHost, i noticed that and thats why I will have to go and actually fill out a form (on paper heh) with a pen.

re: aht
As I called an attorney, I asked him about S-Corp and he said the members have to be US-Citizens or US-Residents, not quite sure.