I and a few friends wish to start a company/business in the state of
FL.  However, I really don't know where to begin.

I have several perplexing questions.

Question #1: Do we have to have a President?  If so, can we have more than one?

Question #2: If we can not have multiple presidents, then how can I
assure that we are equal in this partnership?

Question #3: In any case, how can we reflect this Co-Operation in a
business agreement on the licensee for the Company?

Question #4: How much does a business license cost in the state of FL?
 How long is this license good for?

Question #5: Do we have to do anything special to register any Company
name we come up with?  Or is this taken care of on the business
license?

Question #6: Should we set up a special kind of bank account for our
company?  If so, who should be listed on this account?  Can we apply
certain permissions or safe guards on it?

I don't want someone to be able to "pull rank" on anyone so to speak.

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Clarification of Question by chaosblizzard-ga on 20 Feb 2005 23:19 PST

How about using an LLP based license?  If this would accomplish the
goals of my original post, where can I get this done?  Can it be done
online, and if so, who has the best price?

There are 2 experts you need to be willing to hire and pay for their
advice as you embark on this venture- with all parties present when
you get the expert advice.  A VERY good accountant and a lawyer.  For
Tax and Liability purposes you need to make sure that both your
accountant and lawyer are on the same page about the pros and cons
regarding the what type of business entity you create- LLC, LLP,
Partnership or to incorporate.  they will have different and sometime
contradictory points of view that everyone should hear.  Establishing
percentages of ownership of whatever entity you choose is more
important than anyone's job title (ie- president) in a business
entity.  For example- if you are all equal partners- let's say 4 of
you at 25% each.  You will need to have VERY clear procedures
regarding how a parnter can EXIT the partnership - which inlcudes
buying out an existing partner or selling to another partner outside
of the orginal partner group.  You can incorporate almost any
restrictions you want- such as first right of refusal to buy someone
out- but they must be made explicit up front.  This is why you need a
good and brutally honest lawyer.  You want someone who is experienced
with SUCCESSFUL partnerships in different forms- but has also
dissolved failed ones to warn you of the pitfalls.  Unless they are an
attorney or a CPS- I reccomend you not go with anything that is posted
here- or from a link- other than to better inform you as you go
through the prcess of hiring an accountant and a lawyer- they actually
are not evil and they ARE necessary to create a good foundation for a
partnership.