It is important to know when you might need legal assistance at different stages of starting, growing, and even closing your business.
- Choosing a Legal Structure for Your Business – There are several factors to consider when choosing the best form of ownership or structure for your business. For example, depending on whether you choose to become a sole proprietorship, a partnership, or a corporation, your taxes and liability may vary. Be fully informed of the advantages and disadvantages of each structure before making a decision and filing the paperwork.
- Maintaining Your Business – For any business, it is important to stay in good standing by keeping timely records, obtaining appropriate licenses and permits, and filing any mandatory reports with the state. If you have a joint venture or partnership, you must make sure that appropriate legal agreements are in place. See advice too if your company needs to select a registered agent.
- Getting Out of Business – Selling or transferring ownership of your business is another time in the life cycle of a business when you need professional guidance and a solid exit strategy. The same goes for liquidating your assets or filing bankruptcy.
- Obtaining Trademarks, Patents & Copyrights – Take appropriate action to protect your ideas. Find out more about trademarks, patents, and copyrights from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the U.S. Copyright Office before legal seeking assistance.
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- Business Formations: LegalZoom can help you decide which business structure is right for you—corporation, LLC, DBA, nonprofit and more—and then help you make and file the proper documents to form your business.
- Business Maintenance: LegalZoom makes it easy to keep your business in good standing with corporate minutes, annual reports, registered agent services and more.
- Additional Business Services: LegalZoom offers a number of additional business services to fit your needs, including helping you prepare bylaws and resolutions, dissolve your company and obtain your federal tax identification number (EIN).
- Patent, Trademark and Copyright: LegalZoom can help you protect your intellectual property, whether a trademark for a business or product name, patent or provisional application for patent for an invention, or copyright for an original creative work of authorship.