At LegalShield, we support entrepreneurs every day, but we’re particularly excited about Small Business Week 2023 from April 30 – May 6. Small business owners and communities across the country are invited to participate in National Small Business Week and support the...
LegalShield Blog
Explore our blog for the latest news, advice, and more across the world of legal coverage.
- Adoption
- Banking
- Billing Disputes
- Child Custody
- Child Custody, Divorce, Family Law, Minors
- Civil Litigation
- Consumer Finance
- Coronavirus
- Coronavirus, Small Business
- Divorce
- Employee Rights
- Estate Planning
- Family Law
- Family Law, Home Buying, Home Selling, Small Business
- Family Law, Minors
- Guardianship
- Home Buying
- Home Selling
- Identity Theft
- Landlord/Tenant
- Living Will
- Marriage
- Member Benefits
- Minors
- Real Estate
- Small Business
- Small Business Debt Collection
- Taxes
- Traffic Violations
- Uncategorized
Small Business
What is Digital Real Estate & How Does it Work?
Everything you need to know about the wide world of digital real estate Most of us have heard of real estate before. It’s a parcel of land that you can own, as well as the structures and natural resources that come with it. So, what is digital real estate? It is the...
How to File Your Own Small Business Taxes
Filing taxes as a small business You are a hard-working business owner. You probably have deadlines to meet, employees to work with, rent to pay, and a hundred other things to think about on a daily basis. Tax season can creep up on even the most detailed business...
Overemployment Could Be Here to Stay, Here’s What You Should Know
Due to so many different circumstances, people across the United States are beginning to work two jobs to reach their financial goals, save for the future, and achieve employment flexibility. This phenomenon is known as overemployment, and it’s not an entirely new...
Does an Operating Agreement Need to be Notarized?
An operating agreement, one of an LLC’s (limited liability company) most important legal documents, should be one of the first documents you create when you form your LLC. So, does an operating agreement need to be notarized? Drumroll please . . . the answer is: no!...
5 Steps to Write an Operating Agreement
As a business owner, it’s important to create a document that will serve as a list of rules by which your business will run. This is what an operating agreement is for. By creating an operating agreement, you’re crafting a document that states in no uncertain terms...
Top 10 Tips for Small Business Week 2022
At LegalShield, we celebrate entrepreneurs every week, but we're particularly excited for Small Business Week 2022 from May 1-7. This year, the theme is Building a Better America through Entrepreneurship, in honor of the pivotal role small business owners have played...
DBA vs LLC—What’s the Difference?
When starting a business, one of the first decisions you have to make is what type of entity to form. There are a few different types of business structures to choose from, but two common formaitons are the DBA and LLC. In this DBA vs LLC article, we will discuss the...
Operating Agreement vs. Partnership Agreement: What’s The Difference?
So you’ve decided to launch and run your own business—congratulations! But before you pop the champagne and throw open your doors, it’s important to create a document that will serve as a list of rules by which your business will run. But before you break out your...
How to Buy an LLC
Let’s say you’re a business-minded entrepreneur, but you’re not interested in starting your own business so much as you’re interested in buying an existing one. If that sounds like you, you might be wondering how to buy an LLC. Buying an LLC can be a challenge, but...
Do You Need a DBA With an LLC?
Many entrepreneurs decide to register their company as an LLC. Once they register their LLC, many wonder, do I need a DBA for my LLC? The short answer: No, an LLC does not require a DBA. However, there are good reasons to register a DBA with your LLC—and good reasons...
How to Add a DBA to an LLC in 3 Steps
Once you’ve finished setting up an LLC you may ask yourself, “Do I need a DBA for an LLC?” While it isn’t strictly necessary to do so, adding a DBA to an LLC can be a great opportunity to expand and diversify your company. Some even choose to operate multiple DBAs...
Does an LLC Need an EIN?
A limited liability company (LLC) is a business entity that offers significant benefits and protections to business owners. Whether you’re starting a brand-new business or forming an LLC for an existing company, it’s important to ask yourself this question: do I need...
Can an LLC Own Another LLC?
A limited liability company is a type of business set up under state law. Although each state has its own set of rules governing the establishment of an LLC, few states have restrictions on LLC requirements related to ownership. Therefore, a member can be an...
Pros and Cons of Owning an LLC
If you’re in the process of turning your business idea into a legal business entity, forming an LLC is an attractive option. A limited liability company (LLC) is a business entity that provides tax benefits and protects you from personal liability should anything...
Small Business Tax Deductions Checklist for 2022
If you’re a small business owner, you look for every tax deduction you can take when it comes time to pay Uncle Sam. Which means rent, inventory, equipment depreciation, business miles—right? Unless some of those deductions are now ineligible, while others may have...
What Is a LLC Registered Agent & How Can They Help Small Businesses?
As you go through the process of incorporating an LLC, you’ll find many references to registered agents, and will be required to provide information about your registered agent. But what is a registered agent? Let’s explore how they are instrumental in forming your...
10 Legal Requirements for Your Small Business Website
Maybe you’re just getting ready to launch your website or maybe it’s been live for some time now. Either way, we need to talk about compliance. There are many costly mistakes made by small businesses and failing to comply with the relevant website laws is indeed one...
7 Ways to Legally Protect Your Small Business & Prevent Lawsuits
As a small business owner, you may be focused on cash flow and the coming quarter—not a lurking lawsuit that can shut your business down. Lawsuits devour time, money and even reputation. It’s enough to make you question how to protect your small business. There are,...
What Does it Mean to Be an LLC?
When considering business entities, LLCs are one of the more popular formation options, and for good reason. Creating an LLC offers tremendous benefits to businesses, and their advantages far outweigh any potential drawbacks. Let’s discover the answer to the question...
Looking for a New Job? Can You Be Fired for Job Hunting?
Can you be fired for interviewing around? Are you looking for a new job right now? In the midst of The Great Resignation (or “Big Quit”), you’re far from alone. Millions of Americans are in search of a better job fit, and COVID-19 has prompted many to make changes....
What Are Corporate Bylaws?
If you’re starting your own business, it’s a good first step to protect yourself by incorporating. But it’s not enough to simply have the corporation—there are other considerations after creating articles of organization for your business. To fully protect your...
Thousands of Grocery Workers on Strike at Denver Area Grocers – What Are Employee Rights to Go on Strike?
Over 8,500 workers are on strike at over 80 Denver grocery stores. Why? Over the past few weeks, thousands of grocery employees have left their markers, made signs, bundled up in the cold, and dedicated their days to fighting for their rights to justice and security....
When Should I Get Legal Help When Starting a Business?
In the beginning, many small businesses are often reluctant to seek assistance, even in instances when that help is sorely needed. It may be the case that they don’t know what they don’t know and think they can handle the matter on their own, but more commonly, a fear...
Facebook Documents Reveal Employees Had Expressed Their Fury with Leadership. What Should You Do if You See Unethical Behavior at Work?
Documents reveal internal dissent among employees over Facebook's policies. We have already learned many concerning facts from the leaked Facebook documents. Now, a new nugget of info is making headlines: Employees have expressed their outrage in not-so-subtle ways...
The Importance of Trademarking Your Business Name
A business name is one of your most important assets; along with your logo, it’s your public persona. As such, it’s important that you make sure to protect that good name against those who may try to misappropriate it for their own benefit. A trademark is a valuable...
What Are the Most Common Small Business Cybersecurity Threats?
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month Cyberscurity is an increasing problem for both individuals and small businesses. As more of our lives, our work, and our purchasing is online, opportunities for hackers and other bad actors to access our personal information or...
Tesla Must Pay Millions to Former Worker for Racist Work Environment. How to Spot Red Flags in Employment Contracts
A former worker is suing Tesla for $137 million. A San Francisco federal court announced Tesla must pay a former worker $137 million after his claim of enduring racial abuse while working for the company. Owen Diaz, a former contract worker for Tesla, faced a hostile...
The Elizabeth Holmes Trial, Workplace Toxicity & Employer Retaliation: What Are Your Employee Rights to Speak Up?
Who is Elizabeth Holmes, and why is she on trial? Elizabeth Holmes is the former CEO of Theranos, a company that claimed to have created a blood test that only required a patient's drop of blood to test for thousands of different conditions. Theranos was considered a...
Sole Proprietorship vs LLC: Learn the Differences
Starting a new business comes with a lot of decisions, not least of which is how to set up and run your startup. If you’re seriously considering getting into business for yourself, you’ve probably heard about sole proprietorships and LLCs as types of business...
How to Change LLC to S-Corporation
Part of the appeal of an LLC as a business entity is its flexibility, but even with the versatility offered you might at some point need to change your LLC into an S-corporation. Fortunately, there is a process in place to allow you to do so. But before you make a...
LLC vs LLP: Differences Between LLC and LLP
Entrepreneurs looking to start their new business should be forming a legal entity, and often have to weigh the options of an LLC and a LLP when deciding on the particular business structure. While both provide benefits, they differ in some important ways, and finding...
How to Set Up a Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)
Professionals considering forming a business entity to protect their personal assets may consider a limited liability partnership as an option. An LLP is one type of business entity for multiple parties going into business together, allowing them to pool their talents...
Why Develop an Employee Handbook
Building out your business requires a lot of hard work and just as much paperwork, and given those demands, there’s undoubtedly temptation to cut administrative corners ever so slightly in areas that seem less urgent or impactful. Take the employee handbook: at first...
Next Level Contracts to Grow Your Business
You’ve gotten your arms around the basic contracts for your small business but as your company grows, the complexity of the deals and types of agreements may morph beyond existing templates. As you move onto new stages of your business, you may need additional...
Making Sense of Contract Terms
For the average individual without a background in law, a contract can read like something written in a language only partially related to English, with much of its meaning obscured behind inscrutable terms or phrases. That's why most of us have likely signed off on...
Check Your Contracts For These Items
Given that a contract commits you and your business, it’s worth giving all the terms a thorough read before signing. While every contract is different, and the most important advice is to work with a qualified legal professional, it’s also good to educate yourself on...
Anatomy of a Small Business Contract Strategy
The earliest stages of your business are about setting your nascent company up for success: making the right decisions and avoiding the costly mistakes and setbacks difficult to overcome. Businesses can help to protect themselves against those types of mistakes with...
Top 7 Common Contract Pitfalls to Avoid
If you recognize the importance of contracts, congrats—you’re well on the path towards running a business with a sound legal foundation. But it’s not enough to simply have contracts; just as working with faulty equipment or poor employees are nearly as bad as having...
Top 5 Reasons to Review Your Employee Handbook
If you’ve taken the steps to create an employee handbook, you might think it’s something you can set in place and forget. But your business is ever-growing and changing and as it evolves, the guidelines put in place need to change along with it. That’s why a periodic...
Planning Business Contracts For 2021
It’s fair to say that COVID-19 has disrupted every aspect of our lives and that businesses have faced unforeseen challenges in trying to muddle through a difficult, disruptive, and painful period in our history. But both life and business continue on, and as we head...
5 Tips Every Home-Based Entrepreneur Needs to Know
Running your own business from home sounds great. You could work for yourself, let your creative ideas flow, and make money doing something you love. But once you settle into the daily grind of working from home, you may find that it’s easier said than done. It might...
Sidestep Common Startup Mistakes from the Beginning
6 Mistakes You Can Avoid Early on in Your New Business No one launches a business with all the answers, and for the more inexperienced entrepreneur, there are plenty of potential pitfalls early on that can potentially derail what would otherwise be a promising...
Your Small Business Year End Checklist
Taking stock of your achievements and challenges. This checklist is designed to help you organize your business’s finances and objectives. Understanding where you have been will help you develop a roadmap to growth and success in the year to come. Analyze Your...
Top 10 Legal Issues for Startups
Starting a business can be fun and thrilling, especially at the outset. But many of the mistakes that ultimately sink businesses can be made in the early days of the company. Just because your company has only a handful of employees and a sliver of funding or income...
5 Tips for Business Success
Tips For Successful Launch Beyond Forming an Entity Every new business begins with hope and expectation; unfortunately, most startups are soon hit with a harsh dose of reality as to the challenges that come with building and growing a business. Running a business is...
Independent Contractor vs Employee: Worker Classification
In 2017, Lowes settled a $2.85 million-dollar worker classification lawsuit. The suit claimed that Lowes misclassified installers as independent contractors depriving them of workers’ compensation, liability insurance and requiring the workers to pay taxes as...
Behaving like a Legal Business Entity for Protection
Assign Your Business Assets to Your Entity In the case of some founders, the task of forming an entity for their company is undertaken early enough that they need not worry about making changes to a business not yet off the ground. But for others that have operated...
Creating a Corporation and Following Government Requirements
Avoid Legal Issues—by Meeting Government Standards The prospect of creating a corporation may seem challenging at the outset, with the possibility of forms and paperwork beyond both tedium and your understanding of business regulations. Unless you’re a business...
When Should I Incorporate My Business?
Operating Without a Business Entity May Lead to Problems When it comes to incorporation, timing is everything. Incorporate too soon, and you may be stuck paying fees, taxes, filing unnecessary reports, and generally wasting time and money. Incorporate too late and you...
Explore Legal Plans
We provide legal help for you, your family, or your business.
Individuals & Families
$29.95/month
Legal advice on an unlimited number of personal legal issues from lawyers with an average of 22 years of experience.
Small Business
$49+/month
Get legal support to protect and grow your business with document review, debt collection, and more.
Start a Business
$149 + state filing fees
Start your business legally and correctly, so you can crush your goals with confidence.
Individuals & Families
$29.95 / mo.
Legal advice on an unlimited number of personal legal issues from lawyers with an average of 22 years of experience.
Small Business
$49.00+ / mo.
Get legal support to protect and grow your business with document review, debt collection, and more.
Start a Business
$149 + state filing fees
Start your business legally and correctly, so you can crush your goals with confidence.
LegalShield Overview
Protect Your Legal Rights at Every Stage of Life
LegalShield has you covered for life’s biggest occasions by addressing your legal needs at every stage of life. We offer easy, affordable access to an entire law firm so that you can navigate through all of the legal stuff that life throws at you, including getting married, financial decisions, family additions, living with teenagers, family entrepreneurship, and end of life planning.
LegalShield Personal Plan
What is a LegalShield Plan and How Does it Work?
The LegalShield Personal Plan provides world-class legal protection for you and your family at a fraction of the cost. As a LegalShield member, you’ll have direct access to one of our dedicated law firms so you can take proactive steps to protect your legal rights. Get the legal protection you need and deserve.
LegalShield Small Business Plan
What is a LegalShield Small Business Plan and How Does it Work?
The LegalShield Small Business Plan provides quality legal protection for your business at a fraction of the typical cost. It’s a smart way to protect what you’ve worked so hard for, while also saving time and money. All covered services are included for a low annual fee. Leave legal matters to your law firm while you spend your time growing your business.