Indiana Corporate Bylaws

Alabama corporate bylaws are the rules that define your corporation’s operations and organizational structure. Your bylaws establish many important policies, including rules for appointing directors and officers, holding shareholders’ and board meetings, amending the bylaws themselves, and handling conflicts of interest.

Bylaws are some of the most important internal documents you have, which is why Northwest offers a free, attorney-drafted template specific to Indiana corporations to help you create the best corporate bylaws for your business.

Why do I need corporate bylaws?

Even though corporate bylaws are not filed with the Indiana Business Services Division (like your Indiana Articles of Incorporation), that doesn’t make them any less important than public documents. Here’s why:

1. Corporate bylaws are required in Indiana.

According to IC § 23-1-21-6, bylaws “shall” be adopted following incorporation, which makes bylaws necessary—if you want to stay legally compliant, you won’t be able to form a corporation in Indiana without them.

2. Corporate bylaws establish the rules and roles within your corporation.

Bylaws determine some of the most crucial aspects of your business structure, including the powers of directors and officers, the process of distributing stock, and even the procedures for internal record-keeping. Without bylaws to create these agreed-upon terms for your business, it would be easy for day-to-day routines to slip into, well, chaos.

3. Corporate bylaws prove that your business is a legitimate corporation.

In addition to regulating your business internally, corporate bylaws are important for interactions outside the realm of your corporation. For example: bankers, landlords and potential investors will all ask to see your bylaws before doing business with you. Your bylaws signal to others that your corporation is a legitimate business entity.

What is included in Indiana corporate bylaws?

According to IC § 23-1-21-6, bylaws may contain any provision “not inconsistent with law or the articles of incorporation.” So technically, you can add anything to your bylaws that doesn’t contradict the law or your formation documents. But you’ll want to make sure your bylaws are strong and cover a range of topics, including:

Stock
Directors and officers
Finances
Records
Amendments and emergencies

Who prepares the bylaws?

Initial bylaws are adopted by incorporators or directors (if directors are selected at the time of incorporation).If your corporation has fewer than 50 shareholders and elects to do away with the board, shareholders (sometimes called “subscribers” in Indiana) may adopt bylaws.

While incorporators, directors or shareholders are responsible for adopting initial bylaws, it’s a good idea to consult with a legal expert before setting those bylaws down in stone. You may also use our free, attorney-drafted, Indiana-specific bylaws template to get you started.

Are corporate bylaws legally binding?

Yes. Corporate bylaws are legal documents, so they hold up in a court of law. This means you can use your bylaws to defend your business practices against potential lawsuits. It also means you may face legal action if you contradict your bylaws.

Indiana Corporate Bylaws Template

Here is our Indiana Corporate Bylaws template:

Indiana Corporate Bylaws

FAQs

Are bylaws filed with the state of Indiana?

No. Your corporate bylaws are internal documents, which means you’ll keep them filed away with your own business records.

Do bylaws need to be signed?

No. Including signatures with your bylaws is standard practice. However, Indiana’s statutes don’t explicitly require signatures on bylaws.

How do I amend my bylaws in Indiana?

Bylaws may be amended by shareholders or directors, but the specific policies for amending bylaws are stipulated in your articles or in the amendments themselves. (See IC § 23-1-39.) For example, your articles may reserve the power to vote on amending bylaws strictly for shareholders. Or, your bylaws may change the terms of the voting requirements outlined in the state statutes.