Business FAQ

What legal forms apply to businesses?

Running a business can be a difficult and complicated enterprise, particularly if you are not on top of all the proper legal filings, contracts, and forms that must be properly executed to retain your legal status. In fact, when it comes to legal forms, the category of “business” is one of the most highly-varied. That’s why a high number of legal forms are routinely used on a regular basis in the business world – these forms range from joint venture agreements and business plans to royalty agreements and work orders.

Determining which legal forms best apply to your business comes from a combination of both experience and knowledge. However, many of the answers below deal with specific legal forms that may apply to your specific business situation.

What do I need to include in a business plan?

Business plans require a detailed analysis of the field your business will be competing in, as well as the statistics of your own projections and specific financial plans to execute the business once formed. However, there may be a wide variety of details that you yourself have not thought of which is why business plan forms and questionnaires can be particularly useful in your situation.

Additionally, you’ll likely want to create a financing plan and marketing plan in conjunction with your business plan.

What do I need to hire new employees?

An Employment Agreement Contract is the standard form applying to your situation, though you’ll want to be aware of alternatives. For example, if you are hiring an individual on a per-project basis, you may want to have them sign an Independent Contractor Agreement rather than an Employment Agreement. Agreements with other businesses include Management and Manufacturing Agreements, as well as Joint Venture Agreements. You may also want to look into Non-Disclosure Agreements to protect any trade secrets that your employees learn as a result of working for you.

My business is actually a franchise. What do I need to know?

An agreement between a Franchiser and a Franchisee (you, in this case) should be carefully reviewed before you finalize any deal. You’ll want to review the Franchise Agreement and know what you’re getting into by reviewing provisions such as the Business Location, Grant of License, Term and Termination and Franchisee’s Representatives and Warranties. Be sure to use a Franchisee checklist in order to make sure that you’ve done all your due diligence.

What kinds of forms help me manage my business’ finances?

Using the right forms for your finances means applying the correct forms to the right transactions. For some assistance with that, you can review some of the most important financial forms right here:

• Invoices: An itemized statement of all products/services rendered along with a bill for payment typically sent to a client. These are usually presented by service-based businesses along with a description of the services that have already been rendered.
• Credit Memo: Issuing credit to a customer or client will require that a credit memo be used; you’ll want to make sure to keep a copy for your own records, as well as verification of when the credit memo was sent.
• Notices: Ranging from Notices of Dishonored Checks to Notices of Past Due Payment, there might be a wide range of reasons your business might need to use a notice – but it’s important to find the notice best tailored to your situation.
• Payroll: Various Payroll forms need to be used to keep an accurate record of everything that is being paid to your employees. Time Sheets and Annual Payroll Summaries are often included in Payroll form kits.

There is more to running a business, of course, but these basic finance forms should help you understand what kind of forms you or an employee might be expected to use on a regular basis.

What types of businesses are there?

When you register as a business in your state, you’re generally registering as a specific type.

Here’s a brief rundown on the most popular types of businesses:

• Sole proprietorship: This is a largely informal way of handling business, and will require that you don’t actually have any employees – it is, after all, a sole proprietorship. This can be a very flexible type of business in terms of taxes, but when your business needs a new employee structure you’ll have to change.
• Limited Liability Company: This is often the type of company that certain firms (such as legal firms) opt for. Its objective is in its title, reducing the liability of the person who owns the LLC from anything that the LLC is directly involved in. For this reason, many real estate ownership companies are also LLC’s.
• S-Corporation: Mainly created for a specific type of tax structure, the S-Corporation comes in handy when its owners want to avoid double taxation that comes from paying both a corporate tax and an income tax.
• C-Corporation: Also known as a traditional corporation, this type of corporation is separate and distinct from its shareholders, which often means reduced liability but a potentially increased tax burden.

I’m a general contractor. What kind of forms do I need?

Using a General Contractor Kit will often land you such legal forms as General Contractor Amendment Agreements, Invoice and Change Order Forms – though there are many more forms you may want to ensure are part of the kit. You’ll also likely need to get used to signing Nondisclosure Agreements with your clients to prevent the sharing of trade secrets you learn in your general contractor endeavors.

How do I know my business forms are valid?

You’ll need to make sure that your business forms comply with the laws of your local state. Some forms apply at the federal level, so there will be less concern there. However, you’ll be able to have a good idea about the validity of your forms in their thoroughness, their language and the provisions they contain. The best you can do is to educate yourself about these forms and know what’s required of you and your business.

Business

• Business Forms Combo Packages

  Popular - Business Forms Combo Packages which contains forms most frequently used in business situations. Included are combo packages for accounting, business letters, general contractors and one containing sales representative and distribution agreements.

• Business Owner Consultant Combo Packages

  Popular Business Owner Consultant Combo Package containing some of the most frequently used forms by businesses who hire consultants. Included are service agreements for accounting, general consulting and technology consulting on both an ongoing and project basis. An amendment to service agreement is also included.

• Asset Purchase Agreements & Sale of Business Forms

  Popular - Asset Purchase Agreements and Sale of Business Forms for use when selling a business or business assets. Included are asset purchase agreements, an escrow agreement, letters of intent, sale of business contracts and non-compete after business sale agreement.

• General Agreements & Contracts

  Popular - General Agreement or Contract providing a standard form agreement for use in business transactions. This form sets forth the necessary provisions to be included in all forms of contracts or agreements.

• Joint Venture Agreements and Amendments

  Popular - Joint Venture Agreements and Amendments which are designed to protect your rights and assets when entering into a joint venture. Forms include a Joint Venture Agreement, Standstill Agreement and an Agreement Amendment.

• Purchase Agreements

  Popular Purchase Agreements designed for a variety of situations. These forms include a general purchase agreement, agreements to purchase a logo or yacht, proprietary sale agreements in both long and short formats and an amendment to purchase agreement.

• Sales Representative & Distribution Agreements

  Popular - Sales Representative and Distribution Agreements for use by businesses in order to establish sales representative or distribution relationships. Included are Exclusive and Non-Exclusive Distribution Agreements, a general Distribution Agreement and a number of Sales Agency Agreements.

• Advertising and Marketing

  Advertising and Marketing Agreements for use in various advertising and marketing situations. These forms include agreements for advertising on billboards and buildings, joint marketing and merchandising agreements and international marketing agreement.

• Book Publishing Agreement

  Book Publishing Agreement for use by a publisher and an author who wishes to publish and distribute books through the publisher. This agreement includes terms regarding royalty payments and publication formats.

• Business Letters

  Business Letters which cover a variety of situations that may arise in the conduct of your business. Included are an apology letter, announcement and acknowledgment letters and letters about customer service. Also included are letters of complaint, collection and credit letters and letters of request and inquiry.

• Business Plan Confidentiality

  Business Plan Confidentiality Agreements for use when pitching a business plan which you wish to remain confidential. These agreements contain the specific terms including the type of business, its purpose and the term of the agreement.

• Business Plans

  Business Plan forms designed to provide you with the tools you need when developing and writing your company’s Business Plan. Included are worksheets for a business plan, marketing and financial planning.

• Contractors & Construction

  Contractors & Construction forms for use in a variety of construction-related situations. Forms include General Contractor Agreements, Subcontractor Agreements, Construction Agreements, Proposals and Work Orders. Waivers and Releases and a Mechanic's Lien are also included.

• Corporations

  Corporation forms which will assist in all aspects of setting up and maintaining a corporation. Forms include Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws, Board of Directors and Shareholders agreements, corporate resolutions, meeting minutes, stock certificates and corporate dissolution documents. A Pre-Incorporation Kit containing worksheets and checklists is also included.

• Credit Memo

  Credit Memo for use when issuing a credit to a customer. This form can issue credit for a number of reasons, such as an incomplete shipment, overcharges, errors, applying a discount or for returning a product, and will serve as proof of the credit.

• Due Diligence

  Due Diligence form for use when reviewing the assets and liabilities of a business. It includes information about corporate organization, financing statements, forecasts and managers and employees of the business. This due diligence form will prove useful to both the buyer and seller of a business.

• Finders Fee Agreement

  Finders Fee Agreement for use when one individual (or firm) seeks out a business relationship on behalf of another. This form sets out the specifics of this type of business arrangement including the use and divulging of confidential information.

• Franchise Agreements

  Franchise Agreements designed for use when franchising a business. This form sets out specific terms including business standards, representations and warranties and franchiser's rights of inspection.

• Invoice

  Invoice which presents an itemized statement of the services or products provided by a company to a customer. It also sets forth how much money is due, when it is due and what specific services or products a customer is being charged for.

• Management & Manufacturing Agreements

  Management & Manufacturing Agreements for use when establishing a management or manufacturing relationship with an individual, employee or other entity. Included are various manufacturing and management agreements along with a merchandising and marketing agreement.

• Membership Applications

  Membership Application to be used by any organization which screens applicants for membership. This form requests all relevant information regarding the applicant including current address, phone number and employment information. It also requests relevant information regarding applicant's spouse and children if they also seek membership or privileges.

• Merger Agreement

  Merger Agreement which will effectively merge two businesses into one entity. This form specifies the new structure of the company upon merger and who will assume any company rights and liabilities.

• Mover's Forms

  Mover's Forms for use when moving an office, business or residence. These forms include a services agreement which sets out the specific location of the premises, time frame for the move and how much the movers will be paid. Also included is an inventory which will specify the exact items to be moved and any special instructions.

• Notices

  Notices which relate to a variety of business transactions. These forms include notices of breach of contract, acceptance of order and bulk transfer notice. Also included are notices regarding acceptance or rejection of goods and notice of past due payment.

• Payroll Kit

  Payroll Kit for use when setting up a company's payroll. Included in this kit are instructions about setting up your payroll, quarterly and annual payroll summaries and employee payroll records.

• Proposal for Services

  Proposal for Services which effectively sets forth a proposal for a specific type of service. These proposals include one for office cleaning and a general proposal for use when bidding on any type of project.

• Royalty Agreements

  Royalty Agreements between a writer and a publisher wherein a publisher agrees to pay royalties for the publication and reproduction of a composition. This form sets forth how royalties are calculated and when they will be paid.

• Spanish Forms

  Spanish forms for use in business which contain both Spanish and English translations. Included are a Business Plan Confidentiality Agreement and an Asset Purchase Agreement which contain all necessary provisions.

• Stock Broker Agreements

  Stock Broker Agreement between a client and a stock broker who will make investments and buy and trade stocks on a client's behalf. It spells out the specific terms including the client's understanding of the risks involved.

• Work Order

  Work Order which sets forth the scope of work to be performed on a project. It sets out detailed specifics and includes the total cost for the project.