Montana Corporation Service Agreement

PREAMBLE

THIS ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) is made on the date indicated below (“Effective Date”) by and between Deer Creek Corporate Services, Inc., of 415 N. Benton Ave. Helena, MT 59601, Lewis and Clark County, Montana, a Montana corporation (“Deer Creek”), and the following individual(s) and corporation (hereinafter, the “Clients”): The Clients include the: 1) individual or individuals whose names are signed below at the end of this Agreement  (hereinafter, the “Shareholder(s)”); and 2) the “Corporation” listed directly below.  In executing this Agreement, the undersigned Shareholder(s) are executing this Agreement, both individually and on behalf of the following named Corporation:

WHEREAS, the Clients wish to engage Deer Creek to provide administrative services to the Company with respect to specific activities to be carried out on their behalf; and

WHEREAS, the Clients may have already completed an Order Form selecting the administrative services that Clients wish to obtain, with certain terms and conditions that are also incorporated into this Agreement as if stated herein; and 

WHEREAS, Deer Creek is willing to provide such administrative services on the terms and subject to the conditions contained in this Agreement; 

NOW, THEREFORE,  IT IS HEREBY AGREED AS FOLLOWS:

1. Engagement of Deer Creek.  The Clients hereby engage Deer Creek to provide administrative services to the Company as of the Effective Date.

II. Scope of Standard Administrative Services to the Clients.  During the term of this Agreement Deer Creek shall, upon receiving any necessary Instructions (as hereinafter defined) from the Clients, through their authorized representative(s), perform various standard administrative services for the Clients.  

These standard services (“Standard Services”) include all the tasks described in subparagraphs a, b, c. d, e, & f, below. 

a.       Take administrative steps to organize the Company by filing Articles of Organization and any required auxiliary business documents with the Montana Secretary of State and any other appropriate offices of Montana state, local, or county government.

b.          Provide a physical address to serve as the principal place of business in Montana for the Company.

c. Forward, retain, or otherwise process the Company’s mail delivered to the Company’s principal Montana place of business, as necessary.  This task is subject to the Mail Provisions, below.

d. Serve as registered agent for the Company for purposes of accepting service of process. 

e. Keep and maintain any Company Records (as hereinafter defined) that the Clients place in the possession of Deer Creek for maintenance.  Maintenance of Company records, other than those reflecting the activities of Deer Creek on behalf of the Company, may be subject to additional charges. The term “Records,” as used in this Agreement, means all Company records that have been provided to Deer Creek, including, but not limited to, organizational documents, correspondence, registrations, and similar documents.  The Clients shall also be responsible for maintaining any records that they separately receive.   

f.          Deer Creek and its agents shall employ all lawful and reasonable means and efforts to protect the Members’ personal identity and other personal information (such as contact and residence information, financial data, and the like) from disclosure to the public, governmental entities, and private parties. The actions taken may vary based on the level of privacy plan the Clients selected. It is understood that Deer Creek may be required to obey subpoenas and/or other lawful commands or requirements to disclose information that is otherwise protected under this paragraph, or protected under any affiliated documents or representations. Except if prohibited by law (e.g. a criminal investigation or gag order), Deer Creek will inform Clients via electronic means promptly after receiving a subpoena so Clients will have an opportunity to respond or seek protective relief.  While Deer Creek will assess the legality of any subpoena or other command it receives, Deer Creek may respond to any subpoena or command that Deer Creek, in its discretion, deems lawful.   Reasonable and necessary fees of attorneys, accountants, staff, and any other professionals consulted or retained by Deer Creek in the course of rendering this service, including responding to subpoenas, audits, time acting as a witness, or complying with similar legal requests or commands, shall be the responsibility of the Clients.  Clients shall directly pay for those costs and reimburse Deer Creek for any costs it incurs within fifteen (15) days of receiving an invoice.

III. Optional Duties: Deer Creek may perform additional lawful tasks and duties beyond the Standard Services in Section II above (“Optional Duties”), if instructed in writing by Clients and agreed to in writing by Deer Creek.  At the present time, only the following listed duties are included in this Agreement:

OPTIONAL DUTIES FOR LLCS (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY):

Deer Creek shall not be obligated to perform any other Optional Services, unless checked above.  If during the course of this Agreement, Deer Creek and Clients may mutually agree in writing to additional optional duties, subject to additional charges to Clients.  

Collectively, these Standard and Optional Duties represent the services provided under this Agreement.

IV. Compensation

a.  As compensation for its administrative duties hereunder, Deer Creek will invoice Clients on an annual basis, and Clients shall pay to Deer Creek its standard fees in advance of services being performed, and on an annual basis while this Agreement is in effect.  These fees have been provided to Clients, and are subject to change every year. Unless notified of termination of this Agreement in whole or in part as provided in Section X, Deer Creek will auto-debit annual renewal fees to Clients' credit card on file in January of each year this Agreement is in effect, and those fees are nonrefundable. Clients shall be responsible for notifying Deer Creek of any changes in its credit card on file. Deer Creek may immediately terminate or suspend its services if Clients fail to timely pay Deer Creek for any invoice, and such termination or suspension shall not relieve Clients of their payment obligations or other obligations under this Agreement.

b.  The fee structure of Deer Creek for the services provided as part of this Agreement have been separately provided to the Clients in writing by email, letter, or other means. Compensation for extraordinary services requested of Deer Creek beyond those specifically included in this Agreement shall be separately agreed to by Deer Creek and Clients. Deer Creek reserves the right to change its pricing structure for services for subsequent periods, and to provide notice of the changes to Clients in advance by any reasonable manner of notice, including, but not limited to, email. 

c.   In all events the Clients shall reimburse Deer Creek for all out-of-pocket expenses properly incurred in connection with the discharge of its duties hereunder, including, but not limited to, postage, filing fees, delivery fees, mileage reimbursement, extraordinary copying charges, costs incurred under Section II.f above, and other incurred costs. These costs will be assessed and billed separately from any standard annual fees. Clients shall directly pay for those costs and reimburse Deer Creek for any costs Deer Creek incurs within fifteen (15) days of receiving an invoice.  Deer Creek reserves the right to withhold services until any invoice is paid.

d.   Any amounts owed that are not paid within fifteen (15) days shall accrue interest at the rate of 1.25% per month (15% per annum) or the maximum rate permitted by Montana law, whichever is less. Clients shall be responsible for all costs of collection, including reasonable attorneys' fees, collection agency fees, and court costs incurred by Deer Creek in collecting any unpaid amounts.

V. Representations and Responsibilities of Members.

The Clients, by and through their representative or representatives below, hereby represent, accept, and warrant:

a. The Corporation ’s Shareholder(s) shall have all the rights and responsibilities of owner(s)/Shareholder(s) of the Corporation, including, but not limited to, the responsibility to invest capital in the Corporation, sufficient for their designated purposes, and payment of any and all applicable taxes, tariffs, and fees, if any.

b.         Clients agree they will not use the Corporation or Deer Creek’s services for any unlawful, illegitimate, or fraudulent purpose, and will at all times conform their conduct to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. Clients further agree that any use of the Mailbox shall be in conformity with all applicable federal, state, and local laws. If Deer Creek receives any reasonably reliable evidence from anyone that Clients or Corporation have in any way violated this sub-paragraph, Deer Creek may at its option, with notice to Clients, immediately and entirely terminate its relationship with Clients. If so, all of Deer Creek’s duties under this and any collateral agreements shall end, and Clients shall forfeit all compensation paid in advance to Deer Creek. Violations in this subparagraph include, but are not limited to, any and all types of written or oral fraud, misrepresentation, forgery, theft, or other violation of law. Any evidence of any such activities by Clients will be disclosed by Deer Creek to law enforcement authorities, and doing so shall not be deemed a breach of any confidentiality obligations of Deer Creek to Clients.

c. Clients have reviewed, and hereby approve, the terms and conditions of the Articles of Incorporation and the Bylaws, if any, for the Corporation.

d. It is understood that Deer Creek is not an attorney, accountant, or financial advisor, and is not acting as Clients’ attorney-at-law, accountant, financial advisor, or other fiduciary in any respect. Clients are solely responsible for obtaining such professional consultation and advice with respect to the transactions contemplated in this document.  Deer Creek has not, and cannot, advise Clients about the impact of the laws of any state or nation concerning the property and activities of the Corporation. Deer Creek cannot guarantee any particular legal or tax outcome to Clients from its services under this Agreement.  Clients shall be responsible for ensuring they understand and comply with any applicable state or federal laws. 

e. That Deer Creek shall have no other duties or responsibilities whatsoever, other than those expressly described in this Agreement; this includes no duty to monitor, oversee, or ensure Clients' compliance with any laws, regulations, tax obligations, or filing requirements beyond Deer Creek’s specific administrative tasks set forth in this Agreement.  Deer Creek is not responsible for the business decisions, actions, or omissions of the Corporation, or its employees, Directors, or Shareholders.

f. Absent written instructions from Clients, Deer Creek shall not sell, transfer, assign, or register any vehicles or other property subject to this Agreement to any other person or entity other than the Corporation, created pursuant to this Agreement.

g.         At least one Shareholder of the Corporation must sign this Agreement.  Clients represent that this signing Shareholder is authorized to sign this Agreement on behalf of the Corporation, binding the Corporation and the Shareholder(s).  All Corporation Shareholder(s) are bound by this Agreement, jointly and severally, to the fullest extent possible, whether or not they sign it.  The Shareholder(s) of the Corporation shall ensure that any Director(s), employees, and representatives who are not Shareholders also understand and abide by the terms of this Agreement. 

h.         It is understood that Deer Creek by default will only take Instructions (defined below) from a Corporation Shareholder or other authorized representative of the Corporation. Clients shall inform Deer Creek in writing of anyone besides Shareholder(s) who is authorized to provide Instructions to Deer Creek for the Corporation and any limits on their authority.  Further, Deer Creek will not honor any request for formal amendments to the Corporation, changes in its ownership, or a termination of the Corporation, unless authorized in writing by all Shareholder(s) of the Corporation. Any changes

VI. Non-Exclusivity

Deer Creek is not a fiduciary to Clients, and no fiduciary duties shall be implied from this Agreement or from Deer Creek’s performance of services. It may act as administrator or agent to other entities, persons, or clients while this Agreement is in effect. Deer Creek shall not be required to share information or disclose to Clients any fact or thing which may come to its knowledge, except those things necessary to carry out its explicit duties in this Agreement.

VII. Instructions

a.         “Instructions” include any written, facsimiled or emailed instructions given to Deer Creek in a readable form with respect to any of the matters referred to in this Agreement, which are signed or purported to be signed by one or more person(s) that reasonably appear to be authorized to give the Instruction in question.  Deer Creek may also act pursuant to and rely on Instructions by telephone that are given or purported to be given by designated persons, and such telephonic instructions shall be deemed to be Instructions.  Where Instructions are given by telephone, written confirmation thereof shall be sent to Deer Creek as soon as practicable thereafter by the person making the Instruction; provided however, that Deer Creek may still rely on telephonic Instructions regardless of that written confirmation.   Different persons may be authorized to give instructions for different purposes, and such persons may also include officers of entities other than the Corporation, provided their doing so is authorized by the Corporation and that authorization is communicated to Deer Creek in writing.  A copy of a resolution of the Shareholder(s) or Director(s) of the Corporation, may be received and accepted by Deer Creek as conclusive evidence of the authority of any such person to act and may be considered as in full force and effect until receipt of written notice to the contrary.

b. When acting pursuant to Instructions given by Clients, Deer Creek shall not be under any duty to make any inquiry as to the genuineness or authenticity of any such instructions so long as such Instructions reasonably appear to be genuine and authentic. Deer Creek shall not be required to perform any Instruction it deems, in its discretion, to be unlawful, inappropriate, invalid, or that does not conform with Section VII(a) above.  Deer Creek shall not be liable for any actions taken in reasonable reliance on Instructions from Clients or their authorized representatives, 

c.          In performing its duties under paragraph II.d., above, if Clients wish to make any change of registered agent to any third party, Clients must notify Deer Creek in advance, in writing, of making that change. Otherwise, Deer Creek shall presume the change was unintended and will automatically change the registered agent back to Deer Creek (or Deer Creek’s previously appointed registered agent if different than Deer Creek). This is because changing the registered agent may affect Deer Creek’s ability to provide services under this Agreement. If Clients wish to change the registered agent to an agent other than the agent arranged by Deer Creek, then Deer Creek, in its discretion, may terminate this Agreement if that change affects its ability to provide continued services

VIII. Liability and Indemnity

Deer Creek shall not be liable to any of the Clients for any loss suffered by them in connection with the subject matter of this Agreement, unless such loss arises from the fraud, willful misconduct, or gross negligence of Deer Creek or its agents, officers, or employees in the discharge of its functions under this Agreement. 

Deer Creek shall not be responsible for any delays or failures in performance caused by circumstances beyond Deer Creek's reasonable control, including but not limited to Clients’ delay in handling of tasks, acts of God, government actions/delays, telecommunications failures, or third-party service provider failures.

TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, DEER CREEK SHALL NOT BE LIABLE TO CLIENTS FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT.   

Without prejudice to the foregoing, the Clients shall jointly and severally hold harmless, indemnify, and defend Deer Creek and its agents, officers, owners, associated entities, and employees from and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, actions, proceedings, suits, costs and expenses (including without limitation reasonable attorney’s fees and legal expenses), claims, and demands (“Liabilities”) which may be suffered or incurred by or asserted against Deer Creek and/or its agents, officers, owners, associated entities, and employees, arising out of or in connection with the performance of its duties under this Agreement.  Deer Creek shall inform the Clients as soon as reasonably practicable of all claims, letters, summonses, demands or documents which it receives from third parties with respect to the Corporation.  If any action or claim shall be brought against Deer Creek, its agents, officers, directors, owners, associated entities, or employees in respect of which it appears that an indemnity or defense may be sought from the Clients pursuant to this provision, Deer Creek, its agents, officers, associated entities, or employees, as the case may be, shall as soon as reasonably practicable provide notice to Clients of such action or claim.

IX. Notice 

Unless explicitly stated elsewhere in this Agreement, any official notice to be delivered hereunder shall be sufficiently served if, in the case of written documents, it is delivered by hand or sent by registered mail addressed to the other party concerned at its registered or principal office currently on file with the other party, or in the case of electronic documents, it is sent or otherwise delivered via the internet or email to the place and in the manner last authorized by the other party.  The Parties shall be responsible for promptly updating each other with any change in their contact information.

X. Term of Agreement

The term of this Agreement begins on the Effective Date (defined below) and continues for one year.  The term of this Agreement SHALL AUTOMATICALLY RENEW FOR SUBSEQUENT ONE (1) YEAR PERIODS WITH AUTO-DEBITING OF ANNUAL RENEWAL FEES ON OR ABOUT JANUARY 1^ST OF EACH NEW YEAR, unless any party gives the other written notice of termination at least thirty (30) days prior to expiration of the then-current Term. In any event, this contract may be terminated upon thirty (30) days’ notice of termination given by either party to the other. Clients may give Deer Creek notice of cancellation by completing a termination request form with Deer Creek.  In the case of a material breach under this Agreement, either party may terminate the Agreement immediately upon written notice to the other party.  The renewal amount shall be auto-debited at the standard annual charge, which is subject to change pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.  All annual fees paid to Deer Creek are non-refundable, regardless of when termination occurs. By signing below, Clients acknowledge and agree that the Agreement may be automatically renewed. 

If Clients timely provide a termination request form, then Deer Creek, with consent from the Clients, will file Articles of Termination for an additional fee to terminate the Corporation.  However, note that if Clients do not authorize Deer Creek to file the Articles of Termination, the Corporation may remain open until involuntarily dissolved by the State of Montana.  Clients shall be responsible for assuring that the Corporation is properly wound up and dissolved, unless Clients authorize Deer Creek to file Articles of Termination.

XI. Return or Destruction of File; Portal Access

Upon conclusion of the parties relationship under this Agreement it is understood that Deer Creek shall be entitled to do one or more of the following: (1) to destroy all paper, and/or electronic records of the Corporation, or (2) upon written authorization from the Corporation, and at the expense of the Corporation, to return all paper documents or copies to the Corporation.  If the Corporation fails to make a written election for the return of physical documents, and to make payment for return, the physical documents are subject to being destroyed thirty (30) days after notice to the Corporation of termination of the relationship. Deer Creek will store any of Client’s electronic records for at least three (3) years after termination of the relationship under this Agreement, after which point those electronic records may also be destroyed.  Deer Creek may also terminate portal access for Clients ninety (90) days after any of the following events, whichever occurs first: a) this Agreement is terminated; b) Clients’ invoice is not timely paid; or c) the Corporation becomes inactive.  Deer Creek shall not be liable for any destruction of documents if they are destroyed consistently with this Section.

XII. Assignment 

This Agreement may not be assigned by any Client without the prior written consent of Deer Creek, which shall not be unreasonably withheld. Deer Creek shall not be bound by any unauthorized assignment.   It is understood that Deer Creek may assign its performance of this Agreement in whole or in part, but that Deer Creek or its assignee shall not be excused from its duties under this Agreement by that assignment.  In the event Deer Creek ever makes an assignment, it shall notify Clients in writing. 

XIII. Governing Law, Disputes, and Jurisdiction 

This Agreement, and all transactions contemplated by this Agreement, shall be governed by, construed, and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Montana, without regard to its conflict-of-laws rules that would result in the application of the laws of another jurisdiction.  Any dispute between the parties that cannot be resolved informally shall first be submitted to mediation.  The mediation shall be conducted in Lewis & Clark County, Montana, using a mutually agreed-upon mediator, with the costs of mediation split equally between the parties.  

If the dispute cannot be resolved by mediation or either party refuses to mediate within ninety (90) days of a written demand, either party may then submit the matter to binding arbitration in Lewis & Clark County, Montana, pursuant to the Montana Uniform Arbitration Act.  BY ENTERING INTO THIS AGREEMENT, THE PARTIES AGREE TO SUBMIT ANY DISPUTES TO BINDING ARBITRATION.  The parties may agree to appoint a single arbitrator, or if they cannot agree on a single arbitrator, they may each pick their own arbitrator, and together the two arbitrators will pick a third arbitrator to serve as the chair of the panel.  Any arbitrator selected shall provide a neutral arbitrator's disclosure (consistent with Mont. Code Ann. 27-5-116, as may later be amended) and shall have experience in commercial law.  The costs of arbitration will be split equally between the parties.  In any arbitration or other legal action brought by any party to enforce any of the terms of this Agreement, the prevailing party, as determined by the arbitrator(s) or judge(s), shall be entitled to reimbursement of its reasonable attorney’s fees and arbitration costs from the non-prevailing party. 

In the event any provision of this Agreement shall be determined by the chosen arbitrator(s) or any court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void, or otherwise unenforceable under Montana law, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

XIV. Mail Provisions 

Each Corporation or other entity must complete a separate United States Postal Service Form 1583 ("Form 1583") to be authorized for individual mail box services through Deer Creek. Client’s failure to complete and deliver Form 1583 shall not excuse any fee payable to Deer Creek under this Agreement.  In lieu of, or in addition to, physical forwarding of received mail, Deer Creek is authorized to open mail received by it which is addressed to the Corporation, or to Shareholder(s), and to scan and deliver that mail to Clients in digital form by email, portal, or other electronic means.

The Clients authorize Deer Creek to receive, open, and electronically forward all mail  received by Deer Creek, including mail sent to Clients that contains financial or confidential information, such as bank statements, tax correspondence, government notices, and other potentially sensitive correspondence.  Deer Creek may scan any documents and transmit them to the Clients via secure electronic means, subject to the following conditions:

1. Secure Transmission: All electronic transmissions shall be shared through encrypted email or a document portal employing standard security protocols.

2. Confidentiality: Deer Creek shall maintain the confidentiality of all documents and information received and shall not disclose any financial or personal data to third parties, except as required by law or as authorized in this Agreement. 

3. Retention and Destruction: Deer Creek will retain digital copies of documents pursuant to its retention policies in Section XI above.  

4. Acknowledgment of Risk: Clients acknowledge that while Deer Creek uses reasonable industry-standard security measures, electronic transmission carries inherent risks, and Deer Creek shall not be liable for any unauthorized access or interception of information beyond Deer Creek’s reasonable control.  Clients shall be responsible for timely checking the portal and providing Deer Creek with updated contact information.  Deer Creek shall not be responsible if Clients fail to timely check or act upon their communications.  

5. Consent and Revocation: Clients consent to the above electronic forwarding practices and may revoke this authorization at any time by written notice to Deer Creek. Clients always have the option to request in writing that specific sensitive information be sent via physical mail only.  

  Upon expiration, cancellation, or termination of this Agreement, Clients will file a change of address order with the post office. Clients and Deer Creek further agree that upon expiration, cancellation, or termination of this Agreement, Clients authorize Deer Creek to:

a. Refuse any mail or package addressed to Clients that is delivered to Deer Creek. 

b. Destroy any of Clients’ mail or packages remaining unclaimed at Deer Creek at such time. 

c.          CLIENTS HEREIN AGREE THAT THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF LIABILITY OF DEER CREEK, IF ANY, FOR ANY AND ALL CLAIMS ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO MAIL SERVICES SHALL NOT EXCEED $100.00 REGARDLESS OF THE NATURE OF THE CLAIM.

XV. Headings; Entire Agreement, Binding Effect 

Headings in this Agreement are inserted for reference only and shall not affect the construction of this Agreement.  The terms of this Agreement shall supersede all prior agreements between the parties relating to the subject matter hereof, and no warranties, representations, or agreements with regard thereto, except for those contained herein, shall be binding upon the parties.  This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective successors in interest and permitted assigns.

XVI. Effective Date/Original Counterparts 

Copies of this signed Agreement shall be treated as original counterparts, and the parties may sign different copies without in any way affecting its validity.  This Agreement shall be effective on the earliest of the following dates, regardless of whether or not the document is signed at that time:

a. When it is signed by a designated Shareholder(s) of the Corporation and Deer Creek; or

b. On the date in which, Deer Creek, with knowledge of the Corporation, begins to perform its duties described in this Agreement; or

c. Upon receipt of payment by Deer Creek for the services described herein.

In the event Deer Creek provides any services prior to Clients signing this Agreement, then Clients shall sign this Agreement as promptly thereafter as possible.  Deer Creek reserves the right to postpone services until this Agreement is executed.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been entered into the day and year hereafter  written.

Deer Creek Corporate Services, by: Britta Cech, CEO