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Tables of Contents for Legal Guide for Starting & Running a Small Business
Chapter/Section Title
Page #
Page Count
Introduction
Which Legal Form Is Best for Your Business?
Sole Proprietorships
4
3
Partnerships
7
3
Corporations
10
11
Limited Liability Companies
21
3
Choosing Between a Corporation and an LLC
24
2
Special Structures for Special Situations
26
Structuring a Partnership Agreement
Why You Need a Written Agreement
2
1
An Overview of Your Partnership Agreement
3
10
Changes in Your Partnership
13
Creating a Corporation
The Structure of a Corporation
2
3
Financing Your Corporation
5
1
Compensating Yourself
6
1
Do You Need a Lawyer to Incorporate?
7
1
Overview of Incorporation Procedures
8
1
12 Basic Steps to Incorporate
8
9
After You Incorporate
17
1
Safe Business Practices for Your Corporation
17
Creating a Limited Liability Company
Number of Members Required
2
1
Management of an LLC
3
1
Financing an LLC
4
1
Compensating Members
5
1
Choosing a Name
6
2
Paperwork for Setting Up an LLC
8
3
After You Form Your LLC
11
2
Safe Business Practices for Your LLC
13
Developing a Buy-Sell Agreement
Major Benefits of Adopting a Buy-Sell Agreement
3
4
Where to Put Your Buy-Sell Provisions
7
1
When to Create a Buy-Sell Agreement
8
5
Safe Busienss Practices for Your LLC
13
Naming Your Business and Products
Business Names: An Overview
4
3
Mandatary Name Procedures
7
3
Trademarks and Service Marks
10
1
Strong and Weak Trademarks
11
1
How to Protect Your Trademark
12
1
Name Searches
13
Licenses and Permits
Federal Registrations and Licenses
3
1
State Requirements
4
2
Regional Requirements
6
1
Local Requirements
7
2
How to Deal With Local Building and Zoning Officials
9
Tax Basics for the Small Business
Employer Identification Number
2
3
Becoming an S Corporation
5
1
Business Taxes in General
6
6
Business Deductions
12
6
Tax Audits
18
Raising Money for Your Business
Two Types of Outside Financing
3
5
Twelve Common Sources of Money
8
7
Document All Money You Receive
15
Buying a Business
Finding a Business to Buy
2
1
What's the Structure of the Business You Want to Buy?
3
3
Gathering Information About a Business
6
1
Voluing the Business
7
3
Other Items to Investigate
10
2
Letter of Intent to Purchase
12
2
The Sales Agreement
14
8
The Closing
22
1
Selling a Business
23
Franchises: How Not to Get Burned
An Overview of Franchises
2
2
What Is a Franchise?
4
1
Investigating a Franchise
5
1
The Uniform Franchise Offering Circular
6
6
The Franchise Agreement
12
3
Solving Problems With a Franchisor
15
Insuring Your Business
Working With an Insurance Agent
2
2
Property Coverage
4
4
Liability Insurance
8
4
Other Insurance to Consider
12
2
Saving Money on Insurance
14
3
Making a Claim
17
Negotiating a Favorable Lease
Finding a Place
2
1
Leases and Rental Agreements: An Overview
2
1
Short Term Leases (Month-to-Month Rentals)
3
1
Written Long-Term Leases
4
12
Additional Clauses to Consider
16
1
Shopping Center Leases
17
1
How to Modify a Lease
18
1
Landlord-Tenant Disputes
18
2
Getting Out of a Lease
20
1
When You Need Professional Help
21
Home-Based Business
Zaning Laws
2
5
Private Land Use Restrictions
7
1
Insurance
8
2
Deducting Expenses for Business Use of Your Home
10
Employees and Independent Contractors
Hiring Employees
2
3
Job Descriptions
5
1
Job Advertisements
6
1
Job Applications
6
3
Interviews
9
1
Testing
9
5
Investigating Job Application Information
14
2
Immigration Law Requirements
16
1
Personnel Practices
16
1
Illegal Discrimination
17
2
Wages and Hours
19
4
Occupational Safety and Health
23
1
Workers' Compensation
23
1
Termination
24
2
Unemployment Compensation
26
1
Independent Contractors
27
The Importance of Excellent Relations
Developing Your Customer Satisfaction Policy
3
2
Telling Customers About Your Policies
5
Legal Requirements for Dealing With Customers
Advertising
2
3
Retail Pricing and Return Practices
5
4
Warranties
9
6
Consumer Protection Statutes
15
Cash, Checks and Credit Cards
Cash
2
1
Credit Cards
2
1
Checks
3
Extending Credit and Getting Paid
The Practical Side of Extending Credit
2
6
Laws That Regulate Consumer Credit
8
1
Becoming a Secured Creditor
9
1
Collection Problems
10
4
Collection Options
14
Put It in Writing: Small Business Contracts
What Makes a Valid Contract
2
2
Unfair or Illegal Contracts
4
1
Misrepresentation, Duress or Mistake
5
1
Must a Contract Be in Writing?
6
3
Writing Business-to-Business Contracts
9
4
The Formalities of Getting a Contract Signed
13
4
Enforcing Contracts in Court
17
1
What Can You Sue For?
18
The Financially Troubled Business
Thinking Ahead to Protect Your Personal Assets
2
3
Managing the Financially Troubled Business
5
3
Seeking an Objective Analysis
8
2
Workouts
10
3
Selling or Closing the Business
13
2
Understanding Bankruptcy
15
Resolving Legal Disputes
Negotiating a Settlement
2
1
Understanding Mediation
3
2
Arbitration
5
3
Going to Court
8
Representing Yourself in Small Claims Court
Deciding Whether to Represent Yourself
2
2
Learning the Rules
4
1
Meeting the Jurisdictional Limits
4
2
Before You File Your Lawsuit
6
2
Figuring Out Whom to Sue
8
1
Handling Your Small Claims Court Lawsuit
8
3
Representing Yourself If You're the Defendant
11
1
Appealing Small Claims Decisions
11
1
Collecting Your Judgment
12
Lawyers and Legal Research
How to Find the Right Lawyer
3
2
Fees and Bills
5
1
Problems With Your Lawyer
6
1
Do-It-Yourself Legal Research
7
Appendix A
Appendix B
Index