Small Business Law

A small business is an enterprise generally with fewer than 100 employees. They are usually a closely held corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship acting under the small business law regulations. In terms of ownership, only a few stockholders own or "hold" the shares of a closely held corporation. Partnerships involve two or more persons who agree to go into business together as co-owners. A Sole proprietorship is a business operated by a single owner with no separate legal entity for holding or operating the business, including the owner's liability for the business's debts. Access more information here in the small business law practice center.

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Small Business Law Articles
 
We've gathered the information you'll need to start and operate a variety of different business models including:
-  E-Commerce Business-  Direct Marketing Business
-  Franchise Business-  Independent Contractor
-  Construction Business-  Food Service Business
-  Home Business
 
Business Planning
-  Legal Issues & Starting or Buying a Small Business-  Financing A Business
-  Contract Basics: Breach of Contract-  Tax Issues and Your Small Business
-  Starting a Small Business and Your Business Plan-  Asking the Right Questions
-  Naming a Business-  Marketing Your Small Business
-  Small Businesses: Start-up & Organizational Costs-  E-Commerce: Taking Your Small Business Online
-  Business Planning Material
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-  Business Planning
 
Operating A Business
-  Getting Your Home Business Off to a Legal Start-  At-Will Employment
-  Borrowing money and Loan Documents-  IRS audit and Your Small Business
-  Your Small Business and General Insurance Issues-  Employee Handbooks
-  Fraud, Misrepresentation, Good Faith, and Fair Dealing-  Licensing and Regulations
-  Your Small Business and Finances-Bankruptcy-  Lawsuits and Your Small Business
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-  Operating a Small Business
 
Closing a Business; Merger or Acquisition
-  Asset Sales & Purchases in Mergers and Acquisitions-  Death and Incapacity and Your Small Business
-  Taxing Gains on Sales of Small Business Stock-  Taxes & Selling a Small Business
-  Bankruptcy and Distributing Business Assets-  Winding Up Business and Distributing Assets
-  Business Basics of Mergers and Acquisitions-  Buying Or Selling A Business: The Basics
-  Closing Your Business and Breach of Agreement-  Closing the Business
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-  Closing a Business; Merger or Acquisition
 
Human Resources
-  Covenants Not to Compete: Employer Strategies-  Salvaging a Troubled Business
-  Negotiating Employee Contracts-  Retirement Plans
-  COBRA Coverage-  Workers' Comp Insurance
-  Non-Compete Contracts-  Recovery Theories for Wrongful Termination
-  Contract Interpretation-  Types of Private Health Insurance
-  Public and Government Disability Accommodations-  Employee Handbooks and 'At Will' Employment
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-  Human Resources Law
 
Small Business Law FAQs
-  Insurance: COBRA FAQ-  Commercial Real Estate FAQ
-  Employer: Job Applicant and Interview FAQs-  Doing Business on the Internet FAQS
-  Americans With Disabilities Act - ADA - FAQs-  Business Bankruptcy FAQ
-  Employer: Workplace Benefits FAQs-  Employees: Wages and Hours FAQ
-  Employees: Job Termination Rights FAQ-  Employee Benefit Health Care Plans FAQs
-  Employer: Job Discrimination FAQs-  FAQ - Business Enterprises
-  Employer: At Will Employment FAQ
 
Small Business Legal Forms
Get Started with the Top Ten Business Legal Forms
-  Real Estate Lease - Quick Form by State-  Confidentiality Agreement by State
-  Nondisclosure Agreement by State-  Release of Liability by State
-  Corporate Bylaws by State-  Business Legal Forms
-  Employment Agreement by State-  Employment Verification Letter by State
-  Non-Compete Agreement by State-  Security Deposit Refund Letter by State
-  Employee Warning Letter by State
 
Top Ten Business Legal Forms
 
Lawyers.comsm Virtual Community
Legal Forums
-  Business Organizations-  Business - General
 
Chats
-  Chat Listing
 
Hiring a Business Lawyer
-  Business: Selecting a Good Lawyer-  Business: Meeting with a Lawyer
-  Business: Preparing to Meet with a Lawyer
 
Related Topics and Resources on Lawyers.comsm
-  Business Law-  Closely Held Business Law
-  Franchises Franchising-  Intellectual Property
-  State Business Information Websites
 
Web Resources
-  Small Business Administration-  Department of Labor Compliance Laws
-  State Workers' Compensation Laws-  State Labor Laws
-  eLaws-  State Labor Offices
 

Ask a Lawyer - Business Law questions answered by leading lawyers
Can Owners Put Liens On Assets of Their Own Business?

My father and I started a salon using equity loans taken out on our homes. There is about $40,000 in equipment. Can either one of us place a lien on the equipment for this amount?

Selling a Business Without Continuing Liability?

I own a business and am really wanting to sell. It's too much time away from my family, so the sooner the better. Interested party wanting to buy, but want to pay 20,000 down and 10,000 in 6 months and 8,000 in 3 months after. They can't put business in their name until January, and I still owe on my loan for more than the downpayment. Can this work? I don't want any responsibility after papers are signed and everything out of my name.

How Do I Collect on a Promissory Note?

I ventured in a business deal with a gentleman in 2008. He since closed his office because he had a stroke. I have a promissory note signed by him. The note expires 12-31-09. I understand that he is ill and unable to work right now, but I also know that he owns his house, he put the house in a trust and that he is the trustee of the trust. My question is do I meet with him to sign another promissory note. Or go after his house?

Watch Out for Liability on Long Term Lease Obligations!

I had a restaurant for 3 months in business and went out of business in 3 months. Could not sell for 6 months, finally sold. Now, after one year of selling, the landlord sends a summons for not making a payment from the time I closed my restaurant. Suing me and my wife and all the previous owners. I'm shocked and horrified. Please help.

Is a Seller Bound to the Price Listed for the Business in an Advertisement?

I am selling my business and have 3 people that want it. I listed the price for $65,000 [with a free online listing service]. One man told me in the beginning that he absolutely wanted to buy it. I told him at that time that I had others interested. Is it legal for me to ask them to submit a bid and take the highest or do I have to honor the listed price?


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