Owning a business in Indiana can be extremely rewarding. It’s a milestone that many Hoosiers dream of but many fewer reach. Of those who achieve the dream of business ownership, even fewer are able to sustain the company they create in the long term. If you are considering starting a business in the Indianapolis, Indiana area, the counsel of an experienced Indianapolis small business attorney will help ensure your long-term success.
How Can an Indianapolis Small Business Attorney Help?
At every stage in the life cycle of a small business, there are legal issues to be navigated. While some things can be handled without the guidance of an attorney, a small business lawyer in Indianapolis can provide valuable foresight and knowledge of the law to help prevent problems and disputes in the future. And when disputes do arise, you need a dedicated Indianapolis small business attorney to help you identify and execute a solution that protects your interests.
Business Structure and Formation: Legal Questions to Ask When Starting a Business
Of the legal questions to ask when starting a business in Indiana, “How should I structure my business?” is one of the first and most important. It is critical to choose a legal structure for your business that will be conducive to meeting your business needs and goals, as defined in your business plan. Among other things, the structure of your business determines how taxes are paid and your personal level of liability as the business owner.
Once you have chosen an appropriate business structure, the next legal questions to ask when starting a business involve permitting, licensing, and insurance. The federal government, the State of Indiana, and local governments and municipalities, like the City of Indianapolis (Marion County), all place and enforce various requirements on businesses located and operating within their jurisdictions.
If your business is located in Hamilton County, on the north side of Indianapolis, the requirements you must meet and forms and reports you must submit might differ from those of a business operating in Marion County. A small business lawyer in the Indianapolis area is best suited to assist you as you navigate the various Indiana business laws and local requirements. Proper planning with sound guidance can help Indianapolis small businesses avoid major roadblocks and pitfalls as they get established and begin to grow.
An Indianapolis Small Business Attorney for Ongoing Business Needs
Starting a business involves significant planning and diligence, and business owners must remain vigilant in protecting the company’s best interests as the business grows and throughout its life. A small business lawyer in Indianapolis can counsel and assist business owners and operators in various areas of ongoing concern, including the following:
- Business reporting and regulatory requirements;
- Tax matters;
- Hiring practices and employment policies;
- Real estate contracts and transactions;
- Asset and equipment contracts and management;
- Compliance (Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), for example);
- Mergers, acquisitions, or other deals; and
- Unexpected events and opportunities (the coronavirus pandemic and Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), for example).
Steadfast planning and attention to the areas above can help Indianapolis small businesses minimize disputes. However, legal issues are inevitable in the operation of a business. When you face business disputes of any kind, you need a knowledgeable small business lawyer who can negotiate, arbitrate, settle, litigate, or appeal your case as needed and with the best interests of the business at the forefront.
Navigating Indiana Business Laws When You’re Moving On or Moving Up
Life brings inevitable change; this is true both in our personal lives and in business—and the two are particularly intertwined for small business owners. When Indianapolis small businesses are ready to make a change, whether that change grows the business, dissolves it, or passes it on to another, they need the counsel of an Indiana small business attorney to protect the owner’s rights and interests.
Contact an Indianapolis Small Business Attorney at Camden & Meridew, P.C.
Whatever stage of establishing or running a small business you may be in, an Indianapolis small business attorney from Camden & Meridew, P.C. can help you evaluate, plan, and execute strategies to maximize your company’s potential and protect its assets and future. To discuss your needs and our services, contact small business lawyer Corey Meridew today by calling 317-770-0000 or completing the firm’s online contact form.