Legal guide for starting & running a small business
By: Fred S. Steingold
Edition: 12th ed.
Publisher: Nolo; NOLO
Published: 2011
Place of publication: Berkeley, Calif
Language: eng
Number of pages: 448
ISBN-13: 9781413313819; 9781413315479; 9781413314014; 2901413313818
Subjects: Business enterprises; Law and legislation; Popular works; Small business
Other titles: Legal guide for starting and running a small business
Description: "Answers legal questions in plain English related to starting and running a small business. The 12th edition is thoroughly updated, including information on new tax reporting requirements and tax credits for small businesses under the Patient Protection Act"--Provided by publisher.
Notes: "The all-in-one business law book"--Cover.

Includes bibliographical references and index.
Table of contents: title: 1. Which legal form is best for your business?; title: Sole proprietorships; title: Partnerships; title: Corporations; title: Limited liability companies; title: Choosing between a corporation and an LLC; title: 2. Structuring a partnership agreement; title: Why you need a written agreement; title: Overview of your partnership agreement; title: Changes in your partnership; title: 3. Creating a corporation; title: Structure of a corporation; title: Financing your corporation; title: Compensating yourself; title: Do you need a lawyer to incorporate?; title: Overview of incorporation procedures; title: Twelve basic steps to incorporate; title: After your incorporate; title: Safe business practices for your corporation; title: 4. Creating a limited liability company; title: Number of members required; title: Management of an LLC; title: Financing an LLC; title: Compensating members; title: Choosing a name; title: Paperwork for setting up an LLC; title: After your form your LLC; title: Safe business practices for your LLC; title: 5. Preparing for ownership changes with a buyout agreement; title: Major benefits of adopting a buyout agreement; title: Where to put your buyout provisions; title: When to create a buyout agreement; title: 6. Naming your business and products; title: Business names : an overview - Mandatory name procedures; title: Trademarks and service marks; title: Strong and weak trademarks; title: Before the trademark : name searches; title: How to use and protect your trademark; title: 7. Licenses and permits; title: Federal registrations and licenses; title: State requirements; title: Regional requirements; title: Local requirements; title: How to deal with local building and zoning officials; title: 8. Tax basics for the small business; title: Employer identification number; title: Becoming an S corporation; title: Business taxes in general; title: Business deductions; title: Tax audits; title: 9. Raising money for your business; title: Consider writing a business plan; title: Two types of outside financing; title: Thirteen common sources of money; title: Document all of the money you receive; title: 10. Buying a business; title: Finding a business to buy; title: What's the structure of the business you want to buy?; title: Gathering information about a business; title: Valuing the business; title: Other items to investigate; title: Letter of intent to purchase; title: The sales agreement; title: The closing; title: Selling a business; title: 11. Franchises : how not to get burned; title: What is a franchise?; title: The downsides of franchise ownership; title: Investigating a franchise; title: The franchise disclosure document; title: The franchise agreement; title: Resolving disputes with your franchisor; title: 12. Insuring your business; title: Working with an insurance agent; title: Property coverage; title: Liability insurance; title: Other insurance to consider; title: Saving money on insurance; title: Making a claim; title: 13. Negotiating a favorable lease; title: Finding a place; title: Leases and rental agreements : an overview; title: Short-term leases (month-to-month rentals); title: Written long-term leases; title: Additional clauses to consider; title: Shopping center leases; title: How to modify a lease; title: Landlord-tenant disputes; title: Getting out of a lease - When you need professional help; title: 14. Home-based business; title: Zoning laws; title: Private land use restrictions; title: Insurance; title: Deducting expenses for the business use of your home; title: 15. Employees and independent contractors; title: Hiring employees; title: Job descriptions; title: Job advertisements; title: Job applications; title: Interviews; title: Testing; title: Background checks; title: Immigration law requirements; title: Personnel practices; title: Illegal discrimination; title: Wages and hours; title: Occupational safety and health; title: Workers' compensation; title: Termination of employment; title: Unemployment compensation; title: Independent contractors; title: 16. The importance of excellent customer relations; title: Develop your customer satisfaction policy; title: Telling customers about your policies; title: 17. Legal requirements for dealing with customers; title: Advertising; title: Retail pricing and return practices; title: Warranties; title: Consumer protection statutes; title: Dealing with customers online; title: 18. Cash, credit cards, and checks; title: 19.Extending credit and getting paid; title: Practical side of extending credit; title: Laws that regulate consumer credit; title: Becoming a secured creditor; title: Collection problems; title: Collection options; title: 20. Put it in writing : small business contracts; title: What makes a valid contract; title: Unfair or illegal contracts; title: Misrepresentation, duress, or mistake; title: Must a contract be in writing?; title: Writing business-to-business contracts; title: Signing your contracts; title: Enforcing contracts in court; title: What can you sue for?; title: 21. The financially troubled business; title: Thinking ahead to protect your personal assets; title: Managing the financially troubled business; title: Seeking an objective analysis; title: Workouts; title: Selling or closing the business; title: Understanding bankruptcy; title: 22. Resolving legal disputes; title: Negotiating a settlement; title: Understanding mediation; title: Arbitration; title: Going to court; title: 23. Representing yourself in small claims court; title: Deciding whether to represent yourself; title: Learning the rules; title: Meeting the jurisdictional limits; title: Before you file your lawsuit; title: Figuring out whom to sue; title: Handling your small claims court lawsuit; title: Representing yourself if you're the defendant; title: Appealing small claims decisions; title: Collecting your judgement; title: 24. Lawyers and legal research; title: How to find the right lawyer; title: Fees and bills; title: Problems with your lawyer; title: Do-it-yourself legal research; title: Appendix : Checklist for starting a small business.