Legal Question in Business Law in Minnesota

Re: Opening a youth center...

First there are the considerations common to almost every new business:

How should it be organized (sole proporietorship, partnership, or some form that offers some liability protection (corporation, LLC or LLP).

What income tax treatment do you want (pass-through, in which you make a "sub-S election, or corporate income tax treatment).

Are you going to have employees? In which case you'll need to be sure you properly select, hire, pay and supervise those employees. You'll also need to arrange for state and federal required withholdings.

Will you own or rent a building or space. If you rent, you need a carefully prepared written lease.

Does your business require any local permits (such as a conditional-use permit)?

There are other general considerations, but this is a start. The state of Minnesota and U.S. government websites have more detailed information on some of this.

Additional considerations particular to a youth center are mainly associated with protecting you from liability. You should review with an experienced lawyer the advantages and disadvantages of forms of business organization, a waiver form to be used for customers, a personnel manual and training program that gives appropriate guidanc to your employees, and liability insurance coverage.

If you have further questions, please e-mail me directly at

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