Documents to protect your business
When starting your new LLC, it’s important to take steps to protect it, and yourself, from the very start. After all, one of the major benefits of starting an LLC includes the legal protections provided to the business owners.
Write or update your Business Plan
When you decided to start your business, you probably started with a Business Plan. Your Business Plan is a living document. As your business matures and grows, or when you start a new LLC, it’s time to revisit your Business Plan, or start a new one. Rocket Lawyer makes it especially easy since you’ll never face a blank page—just answer simple questions and we’ll format it for you so you’re ready to make better business decisions, and to protect and grow your business.
Define your Corporate Bylaws
While an LLC Operating Agreement defines the basic structure of a corporation, Corporate Bylaws further define how you operate, and the rights of shareholders, directors, officers and employees. Some states require Corporate Bylaws, but even if your state does not, it’s a good idea to clearly document how the business runs, the process to change things, and other business-critical matters.
Protect your reputation
Businesses work hard to build up their reputation among their customers, community and industry. Rocket Lawyer can help you register your trademark to protect your business’s logo, name, and slogan from competitors and copycats. If your business needs more intellectual property protection, Rocket Lawyer can help you find answers and documents to license your work or protect your business with copyrights and patents.
Name your Registered Agent
Businesses are required to have a publicly named Registered Agent who can receive official legal notices and paperwork on the business’s behalf. Rocket Lawyer provides a Registered Agent service for businesses in all 50 states so you can stay focused on your business, and not worry about missing important legal notices.
Documents for launching a business
When it’s time to start taking orders, signing up new clients, or opening up your doors for business, having the right legal documents ready to go means you can hit the ground running.
Contracts, Receipts and Invoices
Whether you are selling to customers, signing up clients, or providing a service, the right documentation allows you to manage your business, and gives whomever you are serving or selling confidence in your business. Along with providing Receipts and Invoices, Rocket Lawyer can help you find and customize the contracts for your business.
Non-Disclosure Agreement
Anytime you share unique information about your business, you’ll want to protect it by having a Non-Disclosure Agreement, also known as an NDA, signed by the person you’re sharing that information with. These can also be helpful when hiring employees, independent contractors, or even when seeking advice from colleagues, peers, friends, and family. You can sign and store your NDAs online easily using RocketSign with Rocket Lawyer customizable documents.
Photo Release
Making a website for your business and using your own photos on it? Then you’ll need a Photo Release for anyone who’s featured. With Rocket Lawyer, making photo releases is fast and easy, and includes RocketSign electronic signatures.
Online protections
If your business has a website, or ecommerce site, you may want to make an Online Privacy Policy as well as set your Online Terms and Conditions. These documents explain to your website’s visitors how their information can be used, and the allowable uses of your site. More importantly, these can provide your business with important legal protections as well.
Documents for contractors, employees & HR
Starting a new business often involves hiring the right workers to get the work done. Whether that includes serving customers or supporting your business, setting up your company policies, contracts, and performance expectations at the outset allows your new LLC to have the resources it needs for success.
Employment Applications, Offer Letters & Contracts
When it comes to hiring, there are several legal issues that may come up. From Job Postings to Employment Applications, interviews, and Employment Contracts, don’t let the paperwork be overwhelming. Whether it’s an Offer Letter or Termination Letter, or anything in between, Rocket Lawyer has the human resources document basics covered for your business. You can customize each document to fit your unique business. Additionally, Rocket Lawyer documents include attorney review, and support from Rocket Lawyer network attorneys who can answer any questions that come up.
Independent Contractor Agreement
When hiring independent contractors, putting your agreement in writing can protect your business from many of the common issues that may arise when working with contractors, or when you are the contractor working for your client. Whether you are a freelancer, or you plan to hire a contractor, outlining payment, duties, timelines, and other important terms is the key to maintaining good business relationships. Customizing your own Independent Contractor Agreement for your business by answering a few questions.
Employee Handbook
When you hire or have employees, providing each one with a copy of your Employee Handbook gives your workforce confidence and answers to questions about rules they may not want to ask. Additionally, your policies can help ensure your business is run the way you want it to be run, so your customers, clients and employees are free from unwanted distractions, harassment, and other misconduct.
Need more guidance? Ask a lawyer.
Starting a business is complicated, and it’s essential to make sure that your business complies with local, state and national laws and regulations. Consulting with a lawyer is a smart idea when you’re forming your business, as well as at key points along the way.
Check out our complete set of resources for business owners, or if you have specific questions and would like to have your business documents reviewed, reach out to a Rocket Lawyer network attorney for affordable legal advice.
This article contains general legal information and does not contain legal advice. Rocket Lawyer is not a law firm or a substitute for an attorney or law firm. The law is complex and changes often. For legal advice, please ask a lawyer.
