6 Legal Documents You Need For Your Business

Businesses begin with a simple concept or a market gap that they want to fill to make a profit. That’s the easy part; the challenging part is registering and establishing your business and ensuring it’s legal and operational.

There are underlying legal documentation processes that you must fulfill to get your business up and running. It makes it easier to turn your business idea into reality, and it allows you to operate your business freely within a legal framework.

Therefore, it’s wise to equip yourself with the correct documents because they influence how people, including banks and potential investors, relate to your business. In addition, you might want to seek guidance from seasoned business consultants who can assist you in the fundamental stages of your business.

Alternatively, a lawyer can help by furnishing you with legal document templates for startups to guide you through the process. You’ll learn the dos and don’ts along the way and ensure your business is legal. This article outlines six legal documents you need for your business.

1. Business Plan

Perhaps the most crucial part of your business entails having a plan outlining your operations guidelines. It contributes to numerous functions that your business might require initially.

For instance, a business plan can help obtain loans for business capital or the rental of office space and other business facilities, which are pillars of your business foundation stage. Also, it shows your business is legal and your dealings are trustworthy.

However, your business plan must include the complete details of your intentions to convince potential investors and creditors. In addition, you can derive your legal framework from your business plan and development control policies to streamline your operations.

2. Business Agreements

In business, the expectation is you’ll interact with various clients and partners who’d want to keep your transactions private. In this case, you’ll need to develop business agreements that legally bind you to your business.

Business agreements vary depending on the nature of your business and may require legal briefing for better understanding. For instance, partnership agreements share business responsibilities, whether profit or loss. At the same time, the nondisclosure agreement (NDA) binds you to the secrecy of all the business dealings, including intellectual property.

Of note, it’s paramount to decide your business goals and determine the best agreement to incorporate in your business. It’ll safeguard your business interests and ensure your goals align with legal procedures.

3. Certificates

Your business needs certificates that show the birth of your business and cover the entire registration process. It signifies that it’s qualified to operate under the law, a legal requirement in the business world.

For instance, a certificate of incorporation entails proving your company’s legal identity. In addition, it outlines the business’s ownership, responsibilities, operating capital, and other miscellaneous provisions for the business. Other certifications might come from governing bodies that must thoroughly evaluate your intended business operations if they have an environmental or human impact.

4. Business Licenses And Permits

If your business interacts with the public, you must obtain licenses and permits. It shows that you’re qualified to provide products and services to the general public and that you’re responsible for any mistakes or mishaps that could result from your business operations.

Therefore, having licenses and permits to practice your craft is critical because it protects you from lawsuits if something goes wrong. For instance, professionals like doctors and accountants must obtain business licenses and permits to carry out their duties.

5. Terms Of Service

Your business’s terms of service should be clear to all your customers. In addition, it should show the acceptable conditions for doing business with you, including the mode of payment for services rendered.

In addition, your terms of service must ensure the privacy of your business and customers in all your transactions. You develop an understanding as you conduct your business internally or externally.

A memorandum of understanding (MOU) is the most common type of service agreement. It consolidates parties’ contributions to the success of your company. Therefore, you must include MOU as your legal document when starting your business.

6. Tax Identification

Your business should pay taxes in the same way that the rest of the companies in your industry does. Therefore, you must seek tax identification documents for accountability purposes, especially if your company has employees. Also, you must account for the income and expenditure of your business and file your returns.

If you skip this step, your company will attract court battles from the government for undeclared transactions. Hence, it’s necessary to consider tax identification numbers for your business.

Conclusion

Starting a business can be challenging if you’re unsure of the legal document requirements. You need to follow specific processes to qualify your operations and get legal registration status for your business. The underlying legal document requirements are available, but it’s crucial to seek guidance beforehand. In so doing, you avoid shortcuts and pitfalls that can attract unnecessary business lawsuits. Above are some of the legal documents you need for your business.