American Bar Association Legal Guide for Small Business : Everything You Need to Know about Small Business, from Start-Up to Employment Laws to Financing and Selling

by American Bar Association

• ISBN13: 9780375723032
• ISBN10: 037572303X
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Trade Paper
• Copyright: 2010-06-15
• Publisher: Random House Reference

Summary

Whether dreaming of a start-up or hoping to sell an established small business, all entrepreneurs need legal guidance. This updated edition of the American Bar Association Legal Guide for Small Business contains indispensable information for future and current business owners about founding, running, and selling a small business, including the legal aspects of:

Table of Contents

Foreword	p. xiii
Introduction	p. xv
First Steps
Getting Started	p. 3
Business Ideas-and Funding Them
Clearing the Decks	p. 22
Keeping the Legal Side in Mind Can Save Time and Money
Do You Need A Lawyer?	p. 32
A Quick Guide to When You Need Legal Help-and When You Don't
Choosing a Business Lawyer	p. 41
How to Find the Right Lawyer for Your Company
Buying a Business	p. 50
The Basics, Including How You Can Maximize Your Advantage
Is Franchising for You?	p. 60
Practical, Hands-on Tips for Evaluating a Franchise Opportunity
Understanding and Negotiating the Franchise Agreement	p. 70
Don't Be Intimidated When Confronted by Those Bulky Legal Documents
Setting Up Shop
If Your Business is Ten Feet from the Kitchen	p. 79
Be Worry-Free by Taking Care of These Wrinkles Affecting Home-Based Businesses
Location, Location, Location	p. 87
Your Guide to Protecting Yourself in Leasing Property-and More
Buying Peace of Mind	p. 102
That's What Insurance Is for-but Don't Forget the Legal Dimensions
Types of Business Organizations Which Legal Form Should You Choose
Sole Proprietorships	p. 115
It's Easy. It's Popular-but Know What You're Getting Into
Partnerships	p. 121
They Come in Many Flavors, Including General and Limited-Which One's for You?
Is a Corporation for You?	p. 131
They're Persons Under the Law, Which Opens Up Many Intriguing Possibilities
Limited Trouble-and Paperwork	p. 155
Find Out Why Limited Liability Companies Are Sweeping the Country
So What's the Best Business Form for You?	p. 161
We Lay Out Your Options-the Choice is Yours
A Section About People Dealing with Employees and Customers
Hiring Employees	p. 179
Hiring Without Hassles
Laws Affecting Employees	p. 190
A Short Course on Law in the Workplace-and How Knowing What's Up Can Benefit You
Terminating Employees	p. 203
We Cover Everything from Tips on How to Let Someone Go to Noncompete Agreements
Maintaining a Safe Place of Business	p. 214
For Your Employees, Customers, Business Contacts, and Other Folks on Your Premises
The Legal Side of Dealing with Customers	p. 227
All You Need to Know About the Consumer Protection Laws
Extending Credit	p. 244
Bottom-Line Tips on Accepting Checks and Credit Cards and Offering Your Own Credit
The Check Isn't in the Mail!	p. 261
Collection Do's and Don'ts for Small-Business Owners
Running the Business
Contracts	p. 277
Understanding Legally Enforceable Agreements in Your Business's Transactions
Special Contract Terms	p. 305
Some Tips on What those Strange Clauses Will Mean to You
What If There's a Dispute?	p. 320
Keeping the Lid on Time, Hassles, and Costs
Too Good to Be True	p. 333
Watch Out for These Scams Against Your Business
Protecting Your Intellectual Property Rights	p. 344
The Lowdown on Patents, Copyrights, Trademarks, Service Marks, and More
The Taxman Cometh
Business Taxes 101	p. 367
Knowing the Basics of Taxation Can Help You Plan-and Save Money
Then There's the State and the City...	p. 385
A Quick Look at How You Can Owe Less
Tangling with the Government	p. 389
You Have Rights-Know How to Use Them
Various Endings ... Some Happy, Some Not
Sink or Swim-Facing Financial Difficulties	p. 395
The Law, and Your Lawyer, May Be Able to Help
Selling a Business	p. 411
There Are Plenty of Possible Arrangements-but You Want the Best
Retirement Planning for the Business Owner	p. 427
The Law Gives You a Lot of Attractive Options
Till Death Do Us Part	p. 442
What Will Happen to Your Family Business When You Die? Plan Ahead to Avoid Disaster.
The World at Your Fingertips	p. 463
The Best Places to Turn for More Information-Including Sites on Doing Business on the Web
Index	p. 467
About the Author	p. 473
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