Legal Question in Business Law in Ohio

Shaun, exactly what you need to do is going to depend on how your business is going to be run and where it will be located. There are some things though that pretty much all businesses need to look into though.

First is incorporating your business. You could be corporation or an LLC, but either way you will likely want to form a business entity to help protect yourself and your personal assets (house, car, etc.) from things that might happen with the business. Which type of entity you choose is a decision to have with a lawyer and accountant/CPA.

Second are things that you need to be in compliance with Ohio law, particularly if you have employees. If you are going to have employees, you will need to open an account with worker's compensation and unemployment. You will also have to "register" your employees with the state new hire database. Many of these can be accomplished online at the respective state agency's websites, but you may want to get an attorney on board to help.

Third are state licenses. Many businesses are licensed by the state. Doctors are licensed by the state Medical Board, bars need liquor licenses, retail business need vendor's licenses, etc. There probably aren't any state licenses for lawn care, but it is still something you should check out to be sure.

Finally are any local laws and ordinances. These can range from local business operations taxes to zoning ordinances. This is another area where it is good to have a lawyer to navigation through everything.

These are just a handful of "legal" things you will need to look into as you start up a business. You can do much of it yourself, but because there are so many different things to deal with can be very beneficial to hire a business lawyer to help.

I hope that answered your question. If you have any other questions feel free to let me know.

As a Franchise Attorney I can give you the short answer. Very likely all you need is a business license that is very easy and inexpensive to obtain from your local city hall. If you hire employees or sell products, then an employer i.d. number (federal and state) or resale tax license come into play. Consult with a good business or franchise attorney in your area for specific advice.

Mr. Franchise - Kevin B. Murphy, B.S., M.B.A., J.D.

Franchise Foundations, a Professional Corporation