Legal guide for starting & running a small business
By: by Fred S. Steingold ; edited by Ilona Bray
Contributors: Bray, Ilona M., 1962-
Edition: 8th ed
Publisher: Nolo; NOLO
Published: 2005
Place of publication: Berkeley, CA
Language: eng
Subjects: Small business -- Law and legislation -- United States -- Popular works; Business enterprises -- Law and legislation -- United States -- Popular works
Genres: Popular works
Other titles: Legal guide for starting and running a small business
Notes: Includes index
Table of contents: title: Introduction; title: A. Is this book for you?; title: B. How this book will help; title: C. Nonlegal matters to attend to; title: 1. Which legal form is best for your business?; title: A. Sole proprietorships; title: B. Partnerships; title: C. Corporations; title: D. Limited liability companies; title: E. Choosing between a corporation and an LLC; title: F. Special structures for special situations; title: 2. Structuring a partnership agreement; title: A. Why you need a written agreement; title: B. An overview of your partnership agreement; title: C. Changes in your partnership; title: 3. Creating a corporation; title: A. The structure of a corporation; title: B. Financing your corporation; title: C. Compensating yourself; title: D. Do you need a lawyer to incorporate?; title: E. Overview of incorporation procedures; title: F. Twelve basic steps to incorporate; title: G. After you incorporate; title: H. Safe business practices for your corporation; title: 4. Creating a limited liability company; title: A. Number of members required; title: B. Management of an LLC; title: C. Financing an LLC; title: D. Compensating members; title: E. Choosing a name; title: F. Paperwork for setting up an LLC; title: G. After you form your LLC; title: H. Safe business practices for your LLC; title: 5. Preparing for ownership changes with a buy-sell agreement; title: A. Major benefits of adopting a buy-sell agreement; title: B. Where to put your buy-sell provisions; title: C. When to create a buy-sell agreement; title: 6. Naming your business and products; title: A. Business names : an overview; title: B. Mandatory name procedures; title: C. Trademarks and service marks; title: D. Strong and weak trademarks; title: E. How to protect your trademark; title: F. Name searches; title: 7. Licenses and permits; title: A. Federal registrations and licenses; title: B. State requirements; title: C. Regional requirements; title: D. Local requirements; title: E. How to deal with local building and zoning officials; title: 8. Tax basics for the small business; title: A. Employer identification number; title: B. Becoming an S corporation; title: C. Business taxes in general; title: D. Business deductions; title: E. Tax audits; title: 9. Raising money for your business; title: A. Two types of outside financing; title: B. Thirteen common sources of money; title: C. Document all money you receive; title: 10. Buying a business; title: A. Finding a business to buy; title: B. What's the structure of the business you want to buy?; title: C. Gathering information about a business; title: D. Valuing the business; title: E. Other items to investigate; title: F. Letter of intent to purchase; title: G. The sales agreement; title: H. The closing; title: I. Selling a business; title: 11. Franchises : how not to get burned; title: A. What is a franchise?; title: B. The downsides of franchise ownership; title: C. Investigating a franchise; title: D. The uniform franchise offering circular; title: E. The franchise agreement; title: F. Resolving disputes with your franchisor; title: 12. Insuring your business; title: A. Working with an insurance agent; title: B. Property coverage; title: C. Liability insurance; title: D. Other insurance to consider; title: E. Saving money on insurance; title: F. Making a claim; title: 13. Negotiating a favorable lease; title: A. Finding a place; title: B. Leases and rental agreements : an overview; title: C. Short-term leases (month-to-month rentals); title: D. Written long-term leases; title: E. Additional clauses to consider; title: F. Shopping center leases; title: G. How to modify a lease; title: H. Landlord-tenant disputes; title: I. Getting out of a lease; title: J. When you need professional help; title: 14. Home-based business; title: A. Zoning laws; title: B. Private land use restrictions; title: C. Insurance; title: D. Deducting expenses for business use of your home; title: 15. Employees and independent contractors; title: A. Hiring employees; title: B. Job descriptions; title: C. Job advertisements; title: D. Job applications; title: E. Interviews; title: F. Testing; title: G. Investigating job application information; title: H. Immigration law requirements; title: I. Personnel practices; title: J. Illegal discrimination; title: K. Wages and hours; title: L. Occupational safety and health; title: M. Workers' compensation; title: N. Termination; title: O. Unemployment compensation; title: P. Independent contractors; title: 16. The importance of excellent customer relations; title: A. Developing your customer satisfaction policy; title: B. Telling customers about your policies; title: 17. Legal requirements for dealing with customers; title: A. Advertising; title: B. Retail pricing and return practices; title: C. Warranties; title: D. Consumer protection statutes; title: E. Dealing with customers online; title: 18. Cash, credit cards, and checks; title: A. Cast; title: B. Credit cards; title: C. Checks; title: 19. Extending credit and getting paid; title: A. The practical side of extending credit; title: B. Laws that regulate consumer credit; title: C. Becoming a secured creditor; title: D. Collection problems; title: E. Collection options; title: 20. Put it in writing : small business contracts; title: A. What makes a valid contract; title: B. Unfair or illegal contracts; title: C. Misrepresentation, duress, or mistake; title: D. Must a contract be in writing?; title: E. Writing business-to-business contracts; title: F. The formalities of getting a contract signed; title: G. Enforcing contracts in court; title: H. What can you sue for?; title: 21. The financially troubled business; title: A. Thinking ahead to protect your personal assets; title: B. Managing the financially troubled business; title: C. Seeking an objective analysis; title: D. Workouts; title: E. Selling or closing the business; title: F. Understanding bankruptcy; title: 22. Resolving legal disputes; title: A. Negotiating a settlement; title: B. Understanding mediation; title: C. Arbitration; title: D. Going to court; title: 23. Representing yourself in small claims court; title: A. Deciding whether to represent yourself; title: B. Learning the rules; title: C. Meeting the jurisdictional limits; title: D. Before you file your lawsuit; title: E. Figuring out whom to sue; title: F. Handling your small claims court lawsuit; title: G. Representing yourself if you're the defendant; title: H. Appealing small claims decisions; title: I. Collecting your judgment; title: 24. Lawyers and legal research; title: A. How to find the right lawyer; title: B. Fees and bills; title: C. Problems with your lawyer; title: D. Do-it-yourself legal research