Intellectual Property, Business, and Estate Planning
Protecting your ideas, business, and legacy
Most business owners don’t realize they have legal problems until it’s too late.
Your business entity isn’t in good standing. Your operating agreement is hopelessly out of date. You’re operating under expired contracts. Your employee classifications are wrong. You’re missing required licenses.
And you have no idea.
Until the lawsuit arrives. Or the state sends a notice. Or the insurance claim gets denied. Or a partnership dispute explodes. Or the tax audit happens.
That’s when you find out that “I didn’t know” isn’t a defense.
Most of these problems are easy to prevent if you catch them early.
That’s why I created this Beginning-of-Year Business Checkup: 7-Point Checklist.
It’s a straightforward audit you can do yourself in a few hours (or less if you’re in a hurry). No legal expertise required. Just follow the steps, answer the questions, and identify any problems before they become disasters.
Point 1: Verify Your Business Entity Is in Good Standing
How to check your state status and what to do if you find a problem
Point 2: Confirm Your Registered Agent Information Is Current
Why this matters more than you think (hint: lawsuits get served here)
Point 3: Review and Update Your Operating Agreement or Bylaws
Red flags that mean your agreement needs professional attention
Point 4: Audit Your Active Contracts
Track expirations, auto-renewals, and cancellation deadlines before you miss them
Point 5: Review Employee and Contractor Documentation
Are your workers properly classified? Is your IP ownership clear?
Point 6: Verify Business Licenses and Permits Are Current
Don’t operate illegally without realizing it
Point 7: Review Your Business Insurance Coverage
Is your coverage adequate for your current business size?
BONUS: The 15-Minute Priority Check
Only have 15 minutes? Do these three critical checks first.
When you download this checklist, you’ll receive:
❌ Operating with an inactive or suspended business entity
❌ Missing critical legal notices because your registered agent info is wrong
❌ Partnership disputes from outdated operating agreements
❌ Contract auto-renewals you didn’t want
❌ Misclassified employees triggering tax penalties
❌ Operating without required licenses
❌ Inadequate insurance coverage when you need it most
Scenario 1: Suspended Entity Status
You submit a contract bid. The client searches your business status. You’re listed as “Suspended.” You lose the contract. Cost: $50,000+ in lost revenue.
Scenario 2: Missed Registered Agent Notice
A lawsuit is filed against your business. The summons goes to your old registered agent address. You never receive it. A default judgment is entered against you. Cost: $25,000+ in judgments plus legal fees to try to undo it.
Scenario 3: Outdated Operating Agreement
Your business partner wants out. Your operating agreement doesn’t address buyouts. You end up in mediation. Cost: $15,000-30,000 in legal fees.
Scenario 4: Misclassified Contractors
The IRS audits your contractor classifications. They determine your contractors should be employees. You owe back taxes, penalties, and interest. Cost: $20,000-100,000+.
This free checklist can prevent all of this.
This isn’t fluff. This isn’t “10 Tips for Business Success” or “Entrepreneur Mindset Hacks.”
This is a practical, actionable checklist created by a business attorney with 25 years of legal experience who has seen too many ways businesses accidentally destroy themselves.
I’ve cleaned up messes that cost clients thousands because they didn’t know about a problem until it was too late.
This checklist exists so you don’t become one of those stories.
Free. No Catch. Just Useful.
I’m offering this checklist for free because I believe in educated business owners. The more you understand about what can go wrong, the less likely you are to experience it.
You’ll get the checklist immediately. No waiting for approval. No “check your email in 24 hours.” Just instant access to a PDF you can download, print, and use right away.
Yes, you’ll be added to my email list. I send occasional emails with useful business and IP information. No spam. No daily nonsense. Just practical advice when I have something worth saying. You can unsubscribe anytime. I’ll never give your name or email address to a third party other than what my website needs to get the checklist to you. I hate it when people sell or pass on my name or email address without my permission, so I’ll never do that to you.
Get Your Free Business Checkup Checklist
Enter your name and email to download the complete 7-Point Business Checkup Checklist instantly.