A comprehensive guide to legal issues that affect small business, including partnership agreements, creating a corporation or a limited liability company, naming products, franchises, insurance, customer relations, and other related topics.

Includes index.

Which legal form is best for your business? -- Structuring a partnership agreement -- Creating a corporation -- Creating a limited liability company -- Preparing for ownership changes with a buyout agreement -- Naming your business and products -- Licenses and permits -- Tax basics for the small business -- Raising money for your business -- Buying a business -- Franchises: how not to get burned -- Insuring your business -- Negotiating a favorable lease -- Home-based business -- Employees and independent contractors -- The importance of excellent customer relations -- Legal requirements for dealing with customers -- Cash, credit cards, and checks -- Extending credit and getting paid -- Put it in writing: small business contracts -- The financially troubled business -

- Resolving legal disputes -- Representing yourself in small claims court - - Lawyers and legal research.