California Business Law Q&A

clients come to seek advice for the law regarding privacy violations with the lawyer at the officeStarting any kind of business can be a challenging endeavor. The degree of difficulty only intensifies if you are aiming to become a business owner in a highly competitive state like California.

Before you embark on your new venture, take some time to learn about some of the essential business laws in the Golden State. By developing that base of business knowledge, you will be better equipped to deal with upcoming challenges.

You can also work with attorney James Braden if you have any concerns regarding your California-based business. Reach out to Mr. Braden so you can get the legal guidance you need. Going through the business law questions below should also help you out.

How do I create a legal business entity in California?

To launch your California-based business, you will first need to form a business entity. Before you can even get to that, you must first decide what kind of business you want to run. Your options include:

  • Sole Proprietorship
  • Limited Partnership
  • Limited Liability Partnership
  • General Partnership
  • Limited Liability Company
  • Corporation

Once you’ve decided on the business you want to form; you can start working on the paperwork. You can then file the relevant documents to the Secretary of State to register your business entity. All types of business entities must be registered with the state of California aside from sole proprietorships.

Will I need a business license in California?

Unless you are running a sole proprietorship, you will likely need a license before you can start conducting business in California. The licenses you need will depend on the nature of your business.

For the most part, business owners will only need licenses provided by the state of California and the city or county they are operating in. However, you may also need a federal license if your business engages in activities that are regulated by the federal government.

Although owners of sole proprietorships will not need business licenses at the federal or state level, they may still need one from the city or county. Work closely with business lawyers in California so you can have more clarity regarding your licensing needs.

How long will it take to form a business in California?

Assuming you have your necessary documents ready, you will likely be able to start operating your business within a month of sending them to the Secretary of State’s office. The wait may be even shorter if there are no delays that interrupt the Secretary of State’s regular operations.

If you cannot afford to wait for a few weeks because you’re aiming to capitalize on the season, you can partner with a business lawyer to get things moving faster. Hire a San Francisco business lawyer with extensive experience so you can start running your business sooner rather than later.

What does a breach of contract mean?

A breach of contract occurs when one party involved in a deal does not meet the terms they agreed to. They can be accused of a breach of contract, and the affected party can sue for damages in court.

In California, you can sue someone for a breach of contract if you believe they owe you $5,000 or more. If the defendant owes you less than $5,000, you can still take them to small claims court.

How can a lawyer help in your business?

A San Francisco business law firm can help entrepreneurs deal with all kinds of problems. You can consult with an attorney if you need help getting your business off the ground. Their assistance will also come in handy if you got burned in a bad deal by an underhanded partner.

No matter what legal situation you are faced with, your business attorney will be able to help out. Contact Mr. Braden today if there are legal matters related to your business that you need to handle as soon as possible.