You don't need to have a lawyer in house, but you definitely need to make certain that all the operations of your business are legal. Some of the issues to consider are business licenses, determining the correct legal form of your business, alliance agreements, copyrights, trademarks, patents, contracts with suppliers, and employment law.
Table of Contents:
There are a wide variety of Legal Issues that you can face in your business. The Table of Contents above gives an alphabetical list of some of the topics you need to be aware of. Another view is to consider issues that might come up at various stages in your business growth. Some of the critical stages are starting a business, doing business, managing employees, handling finances, paying taxes, and getting out of business.
Starting a Business
In starting a business you need to consider:
Doing Business
In doing business you need to consider:
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Advertising Contracts E-Commerce Insurance International Trade |
Patents, Copyrights, and Trademarks Pricing Selling to the Government Warranties Unfair Business Practices |
Managing Employees
In managing employees you need to consider:
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Employee Handbooks Employment Taxes Equal Employment Opportunity Health & Safety Hiring Issues |
Labor Laws Privacy Issues Termination Wage and Benefits Work Hours |
Handling Finances
In handling finances you need to consider:
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Accepting Cash and Checks Collecting Debts Extending Credit |
Financial Difficulties Financing Your Business |
Paying Taxes
In getting out of business you need to consider
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End-of-Year Tax Planning IRS Business Tax Audit Secrets IRS Tax Calendar for Small Businesses Organizing for Tax Management |
Tax Books Tax Software U.S. Federal Tax Information |
Getting Out of Business
In getting out of business you need to consider
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Asset Liquidation Bankruptcy Closing Procedures |
Family Succession Planning Your Exit Selling a Business |
If any of these topics seem more than you are prepared to handle by yourself, take a look at how to go about selecting a lawyer. It is useful to have someone you can consult at regular intervals about issues that come up, so selecting a lawyer you can call when you need to is worth pursuing. Talk to them about the various ways that they charge to determine what is best for you and your business.
