{"id":4873,"date":"2016-04-04T10:47:45","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:47:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/smallbusiness\/incorporation-and-legal-structures\/small-business-legal-help-3-low-cost-options.html"},"modified":"2025-10-21T23:56:00","modified_gmt":"2025-10-22T04:56:00","slug":"small-business-legal-help-3-low-cost-options","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/smallbusiness\/incorporation-and-legal-structures\/small-business-legal-help-3-low-cost-options.html","title":{"rendered":"Small Business Legal Help: 3 Low-Cost Options"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Small Business Legal Help: 3 Low-Cost Options<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Jade Yeban, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Catherine Hodder, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
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Editorial Note: We earn a commission from affiliate partner links on FindLaw. Commissions do not affect the editorial integrity of our legal content.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n

\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

Low cost<\/span> legal alternatives for your small business<\/span> include do-it-yourself forms, free resources from agencies like the SBA and legal clinics<\/span>, and group legal plans. These alternatives help business owners with legal questions<\/span> on a tight budget.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Starting a business is an exciting journey for entrepreneurs<\/span> and small business<\/span> owners<\/span>. However, navigating the legal aspects of business formation can be challenging and costly. Hiring a private attorney provides personalized legal advice<\/span> but can be expensive. Fortunately, there are low-cost<\/span> alternatives to get legal support<\/span>.<\/p>\n

This article covers three low-cost<\/span> alternatives to get the small business<\/span> legal help<\/span> you need.<\/p>\n

1. Use Do-It-Yourself Legal Forms<\/span><\/h2>\n

Do-it-yourself legal forms<\/span> are a great resource for some entrepreneurs<\/span>. These forms offer guidance on various business-related issues. This includes aspects including incorporation, commercial leases, and creating a business plan<\/span>. Providers of these forms often include helpful answers\u00a0and instructions to help small business<\/span> owners<\/span>. They help them decide on the best legal structure for their business. Some might help with hiring employees or registering your\u00a0intellectual property<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n

You can save money by\u00a0creating your business online<\/a> with small business<\/span> legal service<\/span> companies. The legal forms<\/span> should comply with state and federal laws and contain the terms your business needs to insulate itself from liability. All you need to do is fill in the specifics.<\/p>\n

If you don\u2019t have time to fill out the forms yourself, you can choose to have a professional complete them for you at a fraction of the cost of hiring an attorney. Of course, even if you don\u2019t feel comfortable representing yourself in a certain legal matter<\/span>, you can still save a significant amount of money. Fill out the do-it-yourself legal forms<\/span> yourself and then have an attorney review them. Although these forms are a low-cost<\/span> option, it\u2019s important to remember they don\u2019t replace personalized legal advice<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Need help with business formation? Our trusted partner LegalZoom makes it easy\u2014packages start at $0 + state filing fees.<\/a><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

2. Access Free Legal Resources<\/span><\/h2>\n

Before going to a professional for small business<\/span> legal needs<\/span>, it\u2019s a good idea to explore the free legal resources<\/span> that are at your disposal. Research will help you understand your legal issue<\/span>, so if you do need to hire an attorney, you\u2019ll know what questions to ask. On the other hand, you may find that the issue can be resolved without legal consultation<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Many organizations, like the\u00a0U.S. Small Business<\/span> Administration<\/a>\u00a0(SBA), offer free legal information. This includes information on planning, starting, and managing a business. Also, the SBA\u2019s local district offices offer free consulting services to business owners. Take a look at the\u00a0SBA\u2019s directory<\/a>\u00a0to find a district office near you.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re interested in learning about a specific area of business or employment law<\/span>, it helps to go straight to the source. The\u00a0U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission<\/a>, for example, offers a wealth of information. They provide information on workplace discrimination and state anti-discrimination laws.<\/p>\n

In addition, the Internal Revenue Service\u2019s website provides free\u00a0tax information<\/a>\u00a0for businesses. The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) provides helpful resources, too. They offer free\u00a0safety and health consultation services<\/a>. OSHA also provides information on\u00a0compliance issues<\/a>\u00a0and workplace safety laws.<\/p>\n

These are just a few options for ways to save money while you get your business off the ground. If, after your research, you decide that hiring a private attorney is best for you, those options are\u00a0available to you here<\/a>\u00a0as well.<\/p>\n

Legal Clinics<\/span> and Nonprofit<\/span> Organizations<\/h3>\n

Many local nonprofit<\/span><\/a> organizations and legal clinics<\/span> offer free <\/span>legal help<\/span>. This is especially true for low-income<\/span> entrepreneurs<\/span>. These legal-aid<\/span> services often include free business training and webinars<\/span>. It can also include one-on-one sessions with volunteer lawyers<\/span>. Topics covered might include business law<\/span> basics. It might also include understanding real estate for commercial purposes. It can also include business development<\/span> and formation.<\/p>\n

Online Legal Assistance<\/span> Programs<\/h3>\n

Many online platforms now offer free <\/span>legal advice<\/span> and resources. These platforms might host webinars<\/span> and provide downloadable resources. They can also connect small business<\/span> owners<\/span> with legal professionals. They serve as a small business<\/span> resource, offering insights into the legal aspects of business development<\/span>.<\/p>\n

3. Get a Group Legal Plan<\/h2>\n

A relatively new and innovative option is subscribing to a group legal plan. These plans, offered by some legal <\/span>service<\/span> providers<\/span>, allow small business<\/span> owners<\/span> to access legal advice<\/span> at a reduced cost. Members might pay a regular subscription fee. As a result, they gain access to a network of attorneys for legal advice<\/span> on business-related issues. This can include issues like business structure, incorporation, and commercial leases. This option balances cost with the need for professional legal guidance.<\/p>\n

Hiring a Private Attorney<\/h2>\n

While low-cost<\/span> alternatives offer valuable resources, hiring a private attorney ensures personalized and comprehensive legal service<\/span>. Private attorneys provide in-depth advice tailored to your specific business needs. This can be from drafting a business plan<\/span> to navigating real estate or intellectual property<\/span> matters. They can also represent you in legal proceedings, offering a level of expertise and representation that other options cannot match.<\/p>\n

If you are interested in hiring a private attorney, you\u2019ll be able to find one in FindLaw\u2019s directory of lawyers. A\u00a0skilled business and commercial law attorney<\/a>\u00a0can help you succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n

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