questions to ask an attorney when getting your business license

What are good questions to ask lawyers?

Questions to Ask Your Lawyer During a Consultation1) What kind of experience do you have with similar cases?2) What would be your strategy for my case?3) Are there any alternatives to going to court?4) What are my possible outcomes?5) Who will actually handle my case?6) What is my role in my case?More items...•

What are 3 questions you should ask a lawyer before hiring?

Below are ten questions to ask your potential lawyer.How long have you practiced law? ... What type of cases do you generally handle? ... Who is your typical client? ... How many cases have you represented that were similar to mine?More items...•

What are good questions to ask when starting a business?

17 Questions You Should Ask Yourself Before Starting A BusinessWhy do I want to start a business? ... Can this business idea make me money now and in the future? ... Who is my target audience for my business? ... Who are my competitors? ... What is your USP? ... How will I market my business? ... How will I price my products?More items...•

Who should I consult before starting a business?

5 People You Should Talk With Before Starting a BusinessYour spouse. One of the first people you should talk with about this new venture is your spouse. ... A lawyer. Starting a business involves a few legal hoops, so you'll want to talk with a lawyer. ... An accountant and trusted advisor. ... A business coach or mentor. ... A banker.

How do I talk to my lawyer for the first time?

Tips for Talking to an AttorneyAlways be as honest and candid as possible about the facts of your case. ... Ask questions if you don't understand something that your attorney mentions or explains to you.Approach an attorney about your case as soon as you think you may need one.More items...•

How do I prepare for an attorney interview?

If you are interviewing virtually, all of these tips apply.Do your research. Lawyers are known for being good researchers. ... Be presentable and dress your best. ... Come prepared to ask questions. ... Be personable and show enthusiasm. ... Be genuine. ... Promptly send a thank-you note.

What are the 4 basic business questions?

The 4 Questions You Need to Ask When Starting a BusinessWhy are you deciding to start the business? This is the most important question to answer before you do anything else. ... What capital do you have access to? ... What do you know how to do? ... If this failed, would you regret it?

What are four things you must do before starting a business?

Four things you MUST consider before starting a business1) Plan carefully. Starting a business isn't for the faint-hearted. ... 2) Research your market. ... 3) Expand with care. ... 4) It's all down to you. ... Read these before you start your business.

What are the three big strategic questions?

He taught that the three most important strategic questions each company must answer are:What is our business? (Mission)What will our business be? (The changing environment that we are certain about)What should our business be? (Vision)

Should I talk to CPA before starting a business?

Before starting a business, most people know they should consult an attorney, but many don't think to consult a CPA. In fact, it's not just a good idea to meet with a CPA before starting your business – it's a must.

Which six steps need to be taken before the start of a business?

Starting a business is something almost anyone can do in this day and age, but growing a successful business is another matter....Here are six steps to get you started.Have a plan. First, create a written plan. ... Be prepared to fail. ... Do your research. ... Get feedback. ... Have an online presence. ... Find your market.

Where can I get advice for setting up a business?

England. You can contact the government's Business Support Helpline for free advice relating to your business / idea. You can also find free support, guidance, advice and sources of finance through your local 'Growth Hub'. If you are looking for business support or guidance, your local Growth Hub is there to help you.

What is a business lawyer?

A business lawyer is a person best suited for helping you make that decision. Both sole proprietorships and general partnerships view the business and the owner as the same entity, so if there are debts or legal issues, you would be held liable.

What does a lawyer do for a business?

Your lawyer will take a comprehensive view of your business and your plans and can help position you optimally. Doing so will impact how the business is owned, taxed, and managed.

What are the consequences of failing to take legal action?

Failure to take such actions can result in: Fines. Penalties. Legal liability. Business closure. By consulting with a seasoned attorney, you can establish that you’re currently operating within the boundaries of the law.

Does Briggs Law help?

That’s where Briggs Law can help. We’ve spent decades practicing business law. There’s not a law-related question that you could present to us that we haven’t seen or handled a dozen times before. We’ve taken the time to study the ins-and-outs of business law so that you don’t have to. And, no matter what stage of business you’re in, we want to help.

Questions to Ask an Attorney Before You Open Your Doors for Business

Did you know that nearly half of all small businesses fail within the first five years? While most of these failures are related to financial issues, many can be avoided by seeking out expert advice. For example, there are certain legal questions to ask an attorney before you start.

1. How Should I Structure My Business?

As a small business owner, you need to learn to ask legal questions that will heavily impact your finances and business model. For example, there are many ways to form your business:

2. What Licenses or Certifications Do I Need?

Before you open up shop, you need to make sure your business is operating 100 percent within the confines of the law. A small business attorney will make sure you have everything you need to prevent any lawsuits or fines from the city.

3. What Type of Insurance Should I Get?

When you start a small business, you need to make sure you and your assets are protected. A small business attorney can help guide you through the different types of insurance policies you will need and how much coverage you should get.

4. Do I Need a Contract for Working With Business Partners or Independent Contractors?

There are other questions to ask an attorney if you are planning on working with partners, independent contractors, or businesses. You will want a lawyer for a business startup to help you hack out the details of legally binding contracts .

5. What Do I Need to Know If I Hire Employees?

Finally, you will want a small business attorney if you are planning on hiring employees. They will help you create an employee handbook or a list of policies that dictate employee expectations, fair treatment, conduct, consequences, and more.

Do You Have Any More Questions to Ask an Attorney?

Starting a small business is no small feat. However, keeping it alive and thriving is even harder. For your best chances of success, we recommend coming up with a list of questions to ask an attorney to make sure your business is free and clear of any potential issues.

How Should I Structure My Business?

This seems like a basic question, but it’s actually one of the most important things you can ask when you sit down with a business attorney.

How Do I Protect My Personal Assets?

Regardless of the specific structure you choose for your business, you want to structure your business to protect your non-business assets.

How Do I Minimize My Risk?

Regardless of the type of business you own, there is a huge range of state and federal regulations that apply to you.

What Should Be in My Bylaws?

Part of this process of minimizing risk and protecting your assets involves writing your bylaws properly.

How Can I Protect My Intellectual Property?

All businesses, yours included, need certain trademarks to identify themselves from other businesses.

What Contracts Does My Business Need?

Contracts are one of the most basic things you deal with on a day-to-day basis in your business. But they’re central to successfully running a business, as they spell out your responsibilities and obligations in any agreement.

More Questions to Ask an Attorney

Now that you know what questions to ask an attorney, you need to find an attorney to answer them for you.

Why is a small business attorney important?

A small business attorney is a big help on this regard because he can simplify things for all of you and prevent any misunderstanding that may arise while settling the contents of the agreement.

What is the number one candidate for entrepreneurs who are more comfortable with working alone?

The sole proprietorship is the number one candidate for entrepreneurs who are more comfortable with working alone. From the phrase itself, it is easy to derive that the owner of the business is just one person who is most likely to be the manager as well.

Do entrepreneurs need to worry about personal assets?

Entrepreneurs who opt for this structure do not need to worry that their personal assets will be in peril if ever the business was not able to meet the financial obligations expected from it. Your losses are limited to your investment in the business.

Do small businesses need contracts?

The contracts you need may vary depending on its type of structure. However, there are common contracts needed by small businesses that could be drafted with the help of a business lawyer.

Is it risky to start a business?

But starting a business can be a very risky venture. The more you plan and strategize before you start your business, the more likely you will be able to succeed. Here are the 5 top questions to ask a business lawyer before starting a business. Before you start your business, make sure yourself you ask the following….

Is it a risk to enter the business field?

Entering the business field itself is a risk as you are investing not only money but your hope and emotions in wishing that it will succeed.

What are the legal ramifications of starting a business?

There are several legal ramifications of starting a business. It can lead to issues related to liability, copyright, employee rights and everything in between. So one of the first steps you should take as you work to get your business off the ground is speak with an experienced business attorney.

What happens if a business has an outside investor?

If your business has any outside investors, it could impact the type of corporate entity you’re able to establish for your business. Specifically, you need to be sure that the structure provides a corporate shield for your investors as well as yourself.

Does a lawyer do taxes?

Your legal representation probably isn’t going to do your taxes for you or manage your books. But there are some tax ramifications of choosing different corporate entities or making some of the other decisions listed above. So it is important that you also have a good CPA in your corner, and your lawyer might be able to refer you to one so they can work in tandem on some of those important issues.

Can a business attorney help you make sure your name of choice is available?

And you also need to be sure that you’re not infringing on any existing copyrights or trademarks with your name choice. So a business attorney can help you make sure your name of choice is available and walk you through the necessary paperwork.

Do you need a lawyer for a business?

Once your business starts working with vendors, suppliers, clients, or any other third parties, you’ll need written agreements in place to ensure that all parties involved know what to expect. A lawyer can help you draft specifics or at least walk you through the creation of some templates that you can use in common situations.

Written By

Jane Porter is a freelance writer and editor based in Brooklyn, NY. You can find more of her work at Janeroseporter .com

Jane Porter

Jane Porter is a freelance writer and editor based in Brooklyn, NY. You can find more of her work at Janeroseporter .com

Do LLCs need to register with the state?

Partnerships and LLCs must register with the state. Documents must be prepared, such as a partnership agreement or an LLC operating agreement. You might be able to register online with your state or use an online service to register your business, but it might be a good idea to use an attorney if your business is at all complicated.

Do S corporations have to register with the state?

Corporations or S corporations must register with the state as well. They must prepare bylaws and other documents, and they have a far more complicated ownership structure. You'll almost certainly need an attorney to help you start any type of corporation, An S-corp starts as a corporation then elects S corporation status with the Internal Revenue Service. If it sounds complicated, it is. You might need help.

The Most Important Questions to Ask A Business Attorney

General Questions

• These are questions pertaining to understanding who your lawyer is, how they operate, and what you should expect from them. They might include: 1. How long have you been practicing law? 2. What do you specialize in? 3. What are your main roles and duties? 3.1. What goes beyond that scope? 4. How do you bill? 5. What companies do you generally work ...

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