The Law (in Plain English) for Small Business (Fifth Edition)
By Leonard D. DuBoff and Amanda Bryan
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About this ebook
In The Law (in Plain English)® for Small Business, Fifth Edition, Leonard DuBoff and Amanda Bryan guide entrepreneurs and small business owners through the maze of legal obligations and protections they need to understand. Chapters cover important topics such as:
- Licenses
- Trademarks
- Insurance plans
- Franchising
- Incorporating
- Advertising
- eBusiness considerations
- Taxes
- Succession planning
Whether one is just about to open a small business, reassessing an existing business, or simply have a few questions, The Law (in Plain English)® for Small Business, Fifth Edition, is the go-to resource for small business owners and entrepreneurs.
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The Law (in Plain English) for Small Business (Fifth Edition) - Leonard D. DuBoff
Praise for The Law (in Plain English)® for Small Business
Straightforward, simple explanation is the exclusive realm of the highly competent and intelligent. My community college physics teacher liked to cite Einstein as her favorite example of a clear thinker. Leonard DuBoff has the unique talent to expose the simplicity in what might seem complicated and intimidating. I can give no higher praise.
—Kelvin Scribner, CEO, Sagetech Corporation
Concise and simple explanation of complex issues. Leonard and Amanda provide an understandable business road map to help navigate pitfalls and to be successful.
—Cork Cieslinski, president, C2F, Inc.
"Successful small-business owners all have one thing in common—they are chameleons who wear the hat of a marketer one moment, an engineer the next, then an accountant, a human resources director, an innovator, a leader, and a negotiator. With every new role, different legal issues loom large and can impose an incomprehensible layer of complexity. The Law (in Plain English)® for Small Business is the perfect tool to help business owners decipher legal complexity, manage risk, and move forward with confidence. No small-business owners, be they serial entrepreneurs or established executives, will want to be without this book."
—Dr. James Hardt, founder, Biocybernaut Institute
"An invaluable resource, The Law (in Plain English)® for Small Business is, as the title indicates, an easy-to-understand explanation of legal issues commonly faced by small-business owners. I recommend this comprehensive guide to everyone involved in business whether they are just starting out or are seasoned business people."
—Marvin Aaron, president, Coilhose Pneumatics
Leonard has a unique way of getting to the point quickly . . . and clearly. I have worked with him for over twenty years, and he speaks from ‘feet on the ground’ experience. Most importantly he has a rare common sense that is refreshing!
—Paul Lubitz, cofounder, Holly Yashi, Inc.
Copyright © 2019 by Leonard D. DuBoff and Amanda Bryan
All rights reserved. Copyright under Berne Copyright Convention, Universal Copyright Convention, and Pan American Copyright Convention. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the express written consent of the publisher, except in the case of brief excerpts in critical reviews or articles. All inquiries should be addressed to Allworth Press, 307 West 36th Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10018.
Allworth Press books may be purchased in bulk at special discounts for sales promotion, corporate gifts, fund-raising, or educational purposes. Special editions can also be created to specifications. For details, contact the Special Sales Department, Allworth Press, 307 West 36th Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10018 or info@skyhorsepublishing.com.
23 22 21 20 19 5 4 3 2 1
Published by Allworth Press, an imprint of Skyhorse Publishing, Inc. 307 West 36th Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10018. Allworth Press® is a registered trademark of Skyhorse Publishing, Inc.®, a Delaware corporation.
www.allworth.com
Cover design by Mary Belibasakis
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: DuBoff, Leonard D., author. | Bryan, Amanda, author.
Title: Law (in plain English) for small business / Leonard D. DuBoff and Amanda Bryan.
Description: Fifth edition. | New York, New York: Allworth Press, an imprint of Skyhorse Publishing, Inc., [2019] | Includes index.
Identifiers: LCCN 2018034751 (print) | LCCN 2018039020 (ebook) | ISBN 9781621537113 (eBook) | ISBN 9781621536871 (pbk.: alk. paper)
Subjects: LCSH: Commercial law—United States. | Small business—Law and legislation—United States.
Classification: LCC KF390.B84 (ebook) | LCC KF390.B84 D828 2019 (print) | DDC 346.73/0652—dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2018034751
Print ISBN: 978-1-62153-687-1
eBook ISBN: 978-1-62153-711-3
Printed in the United States of America
Dedication
To my mother, Millicent, and my father, Rubin, who provided me with the gift of life and the desire to use that gift effectively. To my mother-in-law, Cumi Elena Crawford, for her faith, trust, and inspiration, and to my wife, Mary Ann, for her enduring love and continuing support.
—Leonard D. DuBoff
To my children, Random, Grey, and Scout. You are as delightful, quirky, and compassionate as I could have wished for. Your love is my greatest treasure. And to my husband, Josh, for being my safe place and my other half.
—Amanda Bryan
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Chapter 1: Organizing Your Business
Sole Proprietorships
Partnerships and Joint Ventures
Limited Partnerships
Corporations
S Corporations
Limited Liability Companies
Limited Liability Partnerships
Hybrids
Chapter 2: Business Organization Checklist
Accountant
Business Name
Business Structure
Chapter 3: Developing Your Business Plan
Executive Summary
History of the Business
Products and Services
The Market
The Competition
Source of Work
Management
Financial Data
The Business Plan Team
Chapter 4: Borrowing from Banks
Loan Proposal
Creditworthiness
Good Character
Cushion
Purpose
Term of Loan
Repayment
Amount Needed
Collateral
Business Outlook
Financial Evidence
Analyzing Your Business Potential
Application
Lender’s Rules and Limitations
Details of the Agreement
Communication When Problems Arise
Venture Capital
Chapter 5: Going Public
Advantages of Going Public
Disadvantages of Going Public
Federal and State Securities Laws
Privatization
Chapter 6: Contracts
Contract Basics
Types of Contracts
Understanding Contract Principles
Proving an Agreement
When Written Contracts Are Necessary
Essentials to Put in Writing
No-Cost Written Agreements
Confirming Memorandum
Additional Terms
Contracting Online
Consumer Protection Laws
Mail-Order Sales
Chapter 7: Consignment
Advantages
Disadvantages
Bankruptcy
Special Laws for Artists
Definitions
Chapter 8: Collections
Point-of-Sale Payments
Consignment
Bankruptcies
Chapter 9: Expanding Your Market
Franchising
Multilevel Marketing
Chapter 10: Patents and Trade Secrets
Patents
Trade Secrets
Patent or Padlock Dilemma
Trade Secret Protection
Chapter 11: Trademarks
Definition
Prohibited Trademarks
Protecting a Trademark
Infringement
International Protection
State Registration
Using an Attorney
Chapter 12: Copyrights
Copyright Law Foundation
Publication
Copyrightable Material
Scope of Protection
Ownership
Copyright Protection for Utilitarian Objects
Notice Requirement
Application Process
Period of Protection
Infringement
Fair Use
International Protection
Chapter 13: Advertising
Government Regulation
Comparative Advertising
Publicity and Privacy
Unauthorized Use of Trademark
Geographic Locations
Trade Dress
Conclusion
Chapter 14: Licensing
General Consideration
Licensing Hazards
Chapter 15: The Internet
Protecting Business Property
Protecting Consumer Information
Domain Names
Internet Advertising
Disclosures
Audits
Liability Insurance
Copyright Concerns
Peer-to-Peer Problems
Server Protection
Cyberterrorism
Security for Online Commerce
Chapter 16: Warranties
Express Warranties
Implied Warranties
Disclaimers
Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act
Consumer Remedies
Using an Attorney
Online Sales
Chapter 17: Product Liability
Defective Products
Federal Laws
Product Liability
Liability Insurance
Chapter 18: Business Insurance
Basics of Insurance Law
Ascertaining Risk
Additional State Regulations
Expectations vs. Reality
Overinsuring and Underinsuring
Unintentional Undervaluing
Property Covered
Scheduling Property
When and How to Insure
Keeping the Cost Down
Chapter 19: People Who Work for You
Independent Contractors
Employees
Hazards in the Workplace
Discrimination
Harassment
Age Discrimination
Disabilities Discrimination
Employee Handbooks
Zero Tolerance Policies
The Family Medical Leave Act
Termination of Employment
Chapter 20: Keeping Taxes Low
Income Spreading
Qualifying for Business Deductions
Other Professional Expenses
Chapter 21: Zoning
Local Zoning Restrictions
Federal Regulations
Telecommuting and Web-Based Businesses
Chapter 22: Renting Commercial Space
Premises
Cost
Term
Restrictions
Remodeling
Americans with Disabilities Act
Environmental Laws
Utilities
Security and Zoning
Written Document
Chapter 23: Pension Plans
Defined Benefit Plans
Defined Contribution Plans
Profit-Sharing Plans
Salary Savings/Reduction Plans
Simplified Employee Pension Plans
Simple IRAs
Money-Purchase Plans
Employee Stock Ownership Plans
Hybrid Plans
Designing and Documenting a Plan
Employer-Sponsored Plans
Investments in a Qualified Plan
Chapter 24: Estate Planning
The Will
Intestate Succession
Spouse’s Elective Share
Advantages to Having a Will
Estate Taxes
Distributing Property Outside the Will
Trusts
Probate
Chapter 25: Finding a Lawyer and an Accountant
Finding a Lawyer
Evaluating a Lawyer
Using a Lawyer
Finding an Accountant
Glossary
About the Authors
Index
Acknowledgments
In order to assemble the vast quantity of statutes, cases, articles, and books that have become available since an earlier version of this book was published, it was necessary to enlist the aid of numerous friends and colleagues. Their help is greatly appreciated, and some deserve special recognition. I would, therefore, like to express my sincere thanks to my collaborator Amanda Bryan, Esq., for her extraordinary help with this version. She has sacrificed many evenings and weekends to bring this project to fruition.
Amanda and I would like to thank Greg Rogers of the accounting firm of Rogers Financial Services; Greg O’Keefe; and Gregory R. Roer, CPA of Roer & Company, Inc. for their time and expertise in reviewing the tax chapter.
I am indebted to Tad Crawford of Skyhorse Publishing and his staff for their help in publishing this volume.
Thanks also to my paralegal Sara Cain for all of her assistance and numerous recommendations.
Amanda would like to thank her children, Random Gomm, Grey Gomm, and Scout Gomm, and her husband, Josh Congdon, for their patience and support during the writing process, giving up weekends and evenings with her and being okay with unfolded laundry and macaroni and cheese dinners until this book was complete.
I am very grateful for the blurbs written by Kelvin Scribner, CEO of Sagetech International; Marvin Aaron, principal of Coilhose Pneumatics, Inc.; Cork Cieslinski, owner and principal of C2F; and Dr. James V. Hardt, founder of the world-renowned Biocybernaut Institute.
I am grateful for the support of my children and grandchildren. My son Robert has been very helpful with technology issues, and my daughter Colleen has been extremely creative with her graphic design skills. Her husband, Rudy, a lawyer who has recently joined our law firm, has been very helpful with research. I am also grateful to my grandson Brian and his fiancé Megan Randall for their personal assistance, and to the newest member of my family, my granddaughter Athena, for her cheerfulness.
My late sister, Candace DuBoff Jones, JD, Northwestern School of Law, Lewis & Clark College, 1977; my late father, Rueben R. DuBoff; and my late mother, Millicent Barbara DuBoff, all provided me with the inspiration to create works such as this.
I valued my mother-in-law Cumi Elena Crawford’s faith, trust, and inspiration, which helped me create this project. Finally, I would like to express my sincere gratitude and acknowledge the contribution to this project by my partner in law and in life, Mary Ann Crawford DuBoff. Without her, The Law (in Plain English)® for Small Business would never have become a reality.
—Leonard D. DuBoff
Introduction
When I first began writing The Law (in Plain English)® series more than a quarter-century ago, my goal was to educate nonlawyers on the business aspects of their businesses and professions. At the time, I was a full-time law professor, and as an educator, I felt that one of my missions was to provide educational tools. Later, as a full-time lawyer, I realized the importance of this series in educating my clients so that they could more effectively communicate with me. It became clear that the more knowledgeable my clients were about the myriad legal issues that they faced in their businesses and professions, the more effectively they could aid me in helping them. It is for this reason that I continue this series, and today there are In Plain English® books for writers, high-tech entrepreneurs, healthcare professionals, craftspeople, gallery operators, photographers, nonprofit organizations, publishers, collectors, restaurants, and this volume for those who are involved with every aspect of small businesses.
The word small
as used in the title is not intended to limit this text to operators of ma-and-pa operations; rather, it is intended to encompass all businesses that are not publicly traded and listed on national securities exchanges. It is likely that companies of that size would have in-house counsel trained in the various subjects discussed in this volume. However, even the principals of such companies might gain a clearer understanding of the legal issues they deal with by reading an In Plain English® book.
This book is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a professional. Rather, it is designed to sensitize you to the issues that may require the aid of a skilled attorney or other experts. It is my sincere hope that this book will, like its predecessors in the series, be practical, useful, and readable. One of my goals in preparing this book is to enable the reader to identify problem areas and seek the aid of a skilled professional when necessary—or preferably before it becomes necessary—because it is quite common for the owners of small businesses to become embroiled in legal problems before they are able to appreciate the problem.
The law is quite complex and rapidly evolving. Since the first edition of this text was published in 1987 (a second edition was released in 1991, a third edition in 1998, and a fourth edition in 2004), many changes have occurred. New business forms, such as limited liability companies and limited liability partnerships, have emerged. The Internet has become a vehicle for communication and commerce, and the law has been scrambling to keep pace. In writing this edition, it was my intention to chronicle the changes and convert them into a clear and understandable text that will aid the reader in understanding the current state of business law. It is hoped that by my doing so, business readers will be able to more effectively communicate with their business associates and legal advisors when inevitable legal issues arise.
—Leonard D. DuBoff
Portland, Oregon, July 2019
CHAPTER 1
Organizing Your Business
Everyone in business knows that survival requires careful financial planning, yet few fully realize the importance of selecting the best legal form for the business. Small businesses have little need for the sophisticated organizational structures utilized in large, publicly traded corporations, but since all entrepreneurs must pay taxes, obtain loans, and expose themselves to potential liability with every sale they make, it only makes sense to structure one’s business so as to address these issues.
Every business has an organizational form best suited to it. When we counsel people on organizing their businesses, we usually adopt a two-step approach. First, we discuss various aspects of taxes and liability in order to decide which of the basic legal structures is best. There are only a handful of basic forms—the sole proprietorship, the partnership, the corporation, the limited liability company, the limited liability partnership, and a few hybrids. Once we have decided which of these is most appropriate, we go into the organizational documents such as partnership agreements, corporate bylaws, or operating agreements. These documents define the day-to-day operations of a business and must be tailored to individual situations.
What we offer here is an explanation of the features of each of these kinds of organizations, including their advantages and disadvantages. This should give you an idea of which form might be best for your business. We will discuss potential problems, but, since we cannot go into a full discussion of the more intricate details, you should consult an experienced business attorney before deciding to adopt any particular structure. Our purpose is to facilitate your communication with your lawyer and to enable you to better understand the choices available.
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIPS
The technical name sole proprietorship may be unfamiliar to you, but chances are you are operating under this form now. The sole proprietorship is an unincorporated business owned by one person. As a form of business, it is elegant in its simplicity. All it requires is a little money and work. Legal requirements are few and simple. Generally, all you need is a business license and to register the name of the business, if you operate it under a name other than your own.
Disadvantages
There are many financial risks involved in operating your business as a sole proprietor. If you recognize any of these dangers as a real threat, you probably should consider an alternative form of organization.
If you are the sole proprietor of a business venture, you are personally liable for the debts of the business. This means that the property you personally own is at risk. If, for any reason, your sole proprietorship owes more than the dollar value of your business, your creditors can force a sale of some or all of your personally owned property to satisfy the debt.
For many risks, sometimes called liabilities, insurance is available that shifts the loss from you to an insurance company, but there are some risks for which insurance is simply not available. For instance, insurance is generally not available to protect against a large rise in the cost or sudden unavailability of supplies, inventory, or raw materials. In addition, the cost of product liability insurance has become so high that, as a practical matter, it is unavailable to most small businesses. Even when procured, every insurance policy has a limited, strictly defined scope of coverage. These liability risks, as well as many other uncertain economic factors, can drive a small business and its sole proprietor into bankruptcy.
Taxes
The sole proprietor is personally taxed on all profits of the business and may deduct losses. Of course, the rate of taxation will change with increases in income. Fortunately, there are ways to ease this tax burden.
IN PLAIN ENGLISH
Maximize your tax savings by establishing an approved individual retirement account (IRA) or contributing to a pension fund. By deducting a specified amount of your net income for placement into an interest-bearing account, approved government securities, mutual funds, or company pension plan, you can withdraw the funds at a later date—when you may be in a lower tax bracket. There may, however, be severe restrictions if you withdraw the money prior to retirement age. (See Chapter 23: Pension Plans, for a more complete discussion of this subject.)
For further information on tax planning devices, contact your local Internal Revenue Service (IRS) office either by phone or online to obtain free information, or use the services of an accountant experienced in dealing with business tax planning.
PARTNERSHIPS AND JOINT VENTURES
A partnership is defined by most state laws as an association of two or more persons to conduct, as co-owners, a business for profit. No formalities are required. In fact, in some cases, people have been held to be partners even though they never had any intention of forming a partnership. For example, if you lend a friend some money to start a business and the friend agrees to pay you a certain percentage of whatever profit is made, you may be your friend’s partner in the eyes of the law even though you take no part in running the business. This is important because each partner is subject to unlimited personal liability for the debts of the partnership. Each partner is also liable for the negligence of another partner and of the partnership’s employees when a negligent act occurs in the usual course of business.
This means that as with a sole proprietorship, each partner is personally liable for the debts of the business. If, for any reason, your partnership owes more than the dollar value of the business, the partnership’s creditors can force a sale of most or all of your and your partners’ personally owned property to satisfy the debt.
A joint venture is a partnership for a limited or specific purpose, rather than one that continues for an indefinite or specified time. For example, an arrangement whereby two or more persons or businesses agree to build a single house and sell it for profit is a joint venture. An agreement to develop numerous properties over a period of time is a partnership.
Advantages and Disadvantages
The economic advantages of doing business in a partnership form are:
•the pooling of capital;
•the collaboration of skills;
•easier access to credit enhanced by the collective credit rating; and
•a potentially more efficient allocation of labor and resources.
A major disadvantage is that, as noted above, each partner is fully and personally liable for all the debts of the partnership, even if not personally involved in incurring those debts.
This means that if you are getting involved in a partnership, you should be especially cautious in two areas: First, since the involvement of a partner increases your potential liability, you should choose a responsible partner. Second, the partnership should be adequately insured to protect both the assets of the partnership and the personal assets of each partner.
Formalities
No formalities are required to create a partnership. If the partners do not have a formal agreement defining the terms of the partnership, such as control of the partnership or the distribution of profits, state law will dictate the terms. State laws are based on the fundamental characteristics of the typical partnership and attempt to correspond to the reasonable expectations of the partners. The most important of these legally presumed characteristics are:
•no one can become an actual member of a partnership without the unanimous consent of all partners;
•every member has an equal vote in the management of the partnership regardless of the partner’s percentage interest in it;
•all partners share equally in the profits and losses of the partnership, no matter how much capital each has contributed;
•a simple majority vote is required for decisions in the ordinary course of business and a unanimous vote is required to change the fundamental character of the business; and
•a partnership is terminable at will by any partner—a partner can withdraw from the partnership at any time, and this withdrawal will cause a dissolution of the partnership.
Most state laws contain a provision that allows the partners to make their own agreements regarding the management structure and division of profits that best suit the needs of the individual partners.
Partnership Agreements
A comprehensive partnership agreement is no simple matter. Some major considerations in preparing a partnership agreement include the name of the partnership, a description of the business, contributions of capital by the partners, duration of the partnership, distribution of profits, management responsibilities, duties of partners, prohibited acts, and provisions for the dissolution of the partnership. (These items are detailed in Chapter 2.) It is essential for potential partners to devote time and considerable care to the preparation of an agreement.
IN PLAIN ENGLISH
Enlist the services of a competent business lawyer. The expense of a lawyer to help you put together an agreement suited to the needs of your partnership is usually well justified by the economic savings recouped in the smooth organization, operation, and, when necessary, the final dissolution of the partnership.
Taxes
A partnership does not possess any special tax advantages over a sole proprietorship. Each partner pays tax on his or her share of the profits and each is entitled to the same proportion of the partnership deductions and credits. It is important to note that each partner pays tax on the profits received whether the profits are distributed to the partners or retained by the partnership. The results of this rule can be, especially for new partnerships that reinvest profits into the business, that the partners pay taxes without receiving any, or receiving very little, distributions from the business and must pay taxes from other resources.
The partnership must prepare an annual information return for the IRS known as Schedule K-1, Form 1065. This form details each partner’s share of income, credits, and deductions that the IRS uses to check against the individual returns filed by the partners. The K-1 is used by the individual partner, much like a W-2 might be used by an employee, to prepare the individual’s state and local income tax filings.
LIMITED PARTNERSHIPS
The limited partnership is a hybrid containing elements of both partnerships and corporations. A limited partnership may be formed by parties who wish to invest in a business and share in its profits but seek to limit their risk to the amount of their investment. The law provides such limited risk for the limited partner, but only so long as the limited partner plays no active role in the day-to-day management and operation of the business. In effect, the limited partner is very much like an investor who buys a few shares of stock in a corporation but has no significant role in running the business. While the limited partner will have limited personal liability, the general partners will have full personal liability just like a sole proprietor or a partner in a standard partnership. This means that the general partner’s personal property may be sold by the limited partnership’s creditors to cover the limited partnership’s debts.
Formation
In order to establish a limited partnership, it is necessary to have one or more general partners who run the business and one or more limited partners who play a passive role. In order to form a limited partnership, the organizer must prepare and file documentation with the proper state agency. If this documentation is not filed or improperly filed, a limited partner could be treated as a general partner and lose the benefit of limited liability. In addition to filing the appropriate documents, the limited partner must refrain from becoming involved in the day-to-day operation of the partnership. Otherwise, the limited partner might be found to be actively participating in the business and thereby held to be a general partner with unlimited personal liability.
Uses
Limited partnership is a convenient form for securing needed financial backers who wish to share in the profits of an enterprise without undue exposure to personal liability when forming a corporation or limited liability company (LLC) may not be appropriate. This situation may arise when the investors do not meet all the requirements for an S corporation or when one of the intended partners does not desire ownership in an LLC.
IN PLAIN ENGLISH
A limited partnership can be used to attract investors when credit is hard to get or is too expensive. In return for investing, the limited partner may receive a designated share of the profits. From the entrepreneur’s point of view, this may be an attractive way to fund a business, since the limited partner receives nothing if there are no profits. Had the entrepreneur borrowed money from a creditor, he or she would be at risk to repay the loan regardless of the success or failure of the business.
Another use of the limited partnership is to facilitate the reorganization of a general partnership after the death or retirement of a general partner. Remember, a partnership can be terminated upon the request of any partner. Although the original partnership is technically dissolved when one partner retires, it is not uncommon for the remaining partners to agree to buy out the retiring partner’s share—that is, to return that person’s capital contribution and keep the business going. Some state laws establish this as the rule unless the parties agree otherwise. This may also occur when the partner passes away and the partner’s share passes to her beneficiary.
Raising enough cash to buy out the retiring or deceased partner could jeopardize the business by forcing the remaining partners to liquidate certain partnership assets. A convenient way to avoid such a detrimental liquidation is for the retiree or beneficiary to step into a limited partner status. Thus, he or she can continue to share in the profits (which, to some extent, flow from that partner’s past labor), while removing personal assets from the risk of partnership liabilities. In the meantime, the remaining partners are afforded the opportunity to restructure the partnership funding under more favorable terms.
Unintended Partners
Whether yours is a straightforward general partnership or a limited partnership, one arrangement you want to avoid is the unintended partnership. This can occur when you work together with another person and your relationship is not described formally. For example, if you and another person decide to import, market, and sell small electronic appliances from Asia, it is essential for you to spell out in detail the arrangements between the two of you. If you do not, you could find that the other person is your partner and entitled to half the income you receive, even though his or her contribution was minimal. You can avoid this by simply hiring the other person as an employee or independent contractor. Whichever arrangement you choose, be sure to have a detailed written agreement.
IN PLAIN ENGLISH
Written contracts can