One of the most difficult parts of starting a business is figuring out which legal documents you need to fully protect yourself.  Lots of South Asian businesses make the mistake of not taking care of these items BEFORE they start a business.  This is a common mistake that can produce severe reprocussions.  Be Smart - take care of these items (or at least review them) before you begin your dream business.

Here are a few legal related tasks that you should consider completing before starting your business or service:

Incorporate - In order to protect yourself and your personal assets from any type of lawsuits that may arise related to your business, we recommend you incorporate .  Incorporating your business helps protect your personal assets from being involved in any type of business dispute.  (In other words, they can’t take your house if your business gets sued).  Incorporating your business also has various tax benefits, which you may not be aware of!

Sales Contracts - Most business disputes arise from disagreements surrounding “hollow” sales contracts.  Make sure your sales contracts are developed (or at least reviewed) by an attorney.  You want to ensure that you are fully protected in every which way possible.  Every little detail within your sales contract should be solid, clear and bulletproof.

Non Compete Agreements - Are you operating a business that offers a specialty product or service?  If so, then you should consider having your employees sign a Non Compete agreement, which prohibits them from sharing your company’s trade secrets.  This is very important for businesses who want to ensure the secrecy of their products and/or business processes.

Trademarks/Copyrights - This is something that every business should consider getting.  Trademarking your company name will protect your business from companies who want to leverage your brand name for their benefit.  For example, since McDonalds is trademarked, I would not be able to open up a burger restaurant by the name of MackDonalds.  I would also not be able to use the name McDonalds in any of my material without their consent.  Copyrights are also important if your business produces content that needs to be protected from being unlawfully distributed.  If you have an art business, you should copyright all of your paintings so people cannot reproduce and sell your products without your discretion.

Terms and Agreement/General Business Terms - This is a general contract that all of your business patrons should be subject to.  Even if they do not purchase anything from your business, the general business terms (or Terms and Agreement) protects your business from all “general” liabilities that may be faced in the course of visiting your business.  For example, a bar owner may have a general business term that protects the business from patrons who may slip and fall in the bar due to a wet spot.  Although this type of lawsuit may not be fully dismissable in court with the presence of this document, at least you have done your job to inform the patron of all possible liabilities, which considerably lowers your liability.  

There are many South Asian and Desi attorneys in Houston who can provide you with top-notch legal services at affordable costs.  Here are our top three recommendations:

- The Mukerji Law Firm -  (20% off legal fees for new clients!)
- Calehr & Associates
- Alliant Group

To see all of the Indian Desi and South Asian attorneys and law firms in Houston, please visit the Houston Desi Attorneys category on SABAsearch.com.  This category is filled with South Asian attorneys and law firms in Houston who can help you with all types of law including Divorce, Immigration, Family Law, Tax Law, Employment, and DWI.

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Are you a South Asian law firm or attorney in Houston?  Respond to this blog article and let us know who you are!  Please provide your name, law firm, and what types of legal services you provide.  Thanks!

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