Click a document to see what goes in it and where to get a template
Client Contract
90-120 min to draft
The foundation of every client relationship. Defines deliverables, payment, and liability.
RequiredNDA / Confidentiality
30-45 min to draft
Protects confidential business information when working with contractors, partners, or employees.
RecommendedInvoice Template
15-30 min to set up
Professional billing document with payment terms, late fees, and your business details.
RequiredLLC Operating Agreement
60-90 min to draft
Governs how your LLC operates. Required in most states, essential even where not required.
Required (LLC)Privacy Policy
20-30 min with generator
Legally required if your website collects any user data (including email addresses).
RequiredBusiness Proposal
2-4 hrs per proposal
Formal document presenting your solution, timeline, and pricing to a potential client.
SituationalStatement of Work (SOW)
45-60 min to draft
Detailed project specification that attaches to your main contract. Prevents scope creep.
RecommendedTerms of Service
30-45 min with template
Website or app user agreement. Required for any service with user accounts or purchases.
Required (web)IP Assignment Agreement
30-45 min to draft
Transfers intellectual property from creator to business. Essential if contractors create key assets.
SituationalDocument Details
What Must Be Included
Common Mistakes to Avoid
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Your Business Documentation Starter Checklist
Client Service Agreement
Never do paid work without a signed contract. One missed payment or scope dispute makes this worth 100x its drafting time.
Invoice Template
Create one in FreshBooks, Wave, or Harvest. Include payment terms (Net 15/30), late fee policy (1.5%/month is standard), and your banking details.
Privacy Policy (if you have a website)
Required by GDPR, CCPA, and most email platforms. Use Termly or PrivacyPolicies.com (free generators) if you don't collect sensitive data.
NDA Template (on hand)
Have an NDA template ready before you need it. Asking someone to sign an NDA and then spending 3 days drafting one is unprofessional.
LLC Operating Agreement (if LLC)
Most states don't require this but banks and investors expect to see it. Clarifies ownership percentages, voting rights, and profit distribution.
Business Proposal Template
Build a template so you're not starting from scratch every time. Consistency in proposals signals professionalism and speeds sales cycles.
⚠️ Legal Disclaimer: Information on this page is educational only and does not constitute legal advice. Business documents have legal implications that vary by jurisdiction, industry, and specific circumstances. For contracts involving significant money, IP, employment, or complex arrangements, consult a licensed attorney. Services like LegalZoom, Clerky, and Ironclad offer attorney-drafted templates that are more legally robust than self-drafted documents.
Business Documents FAQ
In priority order: (1) Client Service Agreement — before your first paid client interaction. (2) Invoice template — before billing anyone. (3) Privacy Policy — before launching your website. (4) NDA template — before sharing any confidential information with partners or contractors. (5) LLC Operating Agreement — if you've formed an LLC, do this within 60 days. Everything else can wait until you have specific need for it. Don't over-document before you have revenue.
For most standard agreements: no, not initially. Attorney-drafted template services (Clerky, LegalZoom, Ironclad, Docusign Legal) provide legally sound templates for $50-300 that are appropriate for most small business transactions under $50,000. Use an attorney for: raising outside investment, complex IP licensing, employment agreements in regulated industries, significant commercial real estate, and any transaction over $50,000 where the terms are non-standard. Have an attorney review your standard templates once — that review protects you in all future similar transactions.
Yes, in the US, EU, and most countries. The Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (ESIGN) and UETA make electronic signatures legally equivalent to handwritten signatures in the US for most commercial contracts. DocuSign, Adobe Sign, PandaDoc, and HelloSign all provide legally compliant e-signature workflows with audit trails that are actually stronger evidence of consent than wet signatures. Exceptions: wills, certain real estate documents, and some government forms still require physical signatures.
Walk away, or require a deposit before work begins. A client who won't sign a contract before starting is a client who won't respect boundaries during the project and may dispute payment afterward. The conversation about signing a contract is also useful — if they push back hard on specific clauses (especially IP ownership or payment terms), that tells you something important about how they'll behave as a client. Professional clients expect and respect contract requirements.
A document generated by any tool -- AI, template, or human -- is legally valid when both parties sign it and the content meets legal requirements. The tool does not determine validity; the content and signatures do. However, for high-stakes documents (contracts involving significant money, IP assignments, employment agreements, NDAs with non-compete clauses), have an attorney review before signing. AI-generated templates are a starting point, not a replacement for legal counsel on documents with real legal exposure.
At minimum: Articles of Organization or Incorporation (filed with your state), Operating Agreement or Bylaws (internal governance), EIN confirmation letter from the IRS (for tax purposes), and a business bank account opening documents. For client-facing operations: a service agreement or contract template, invoice template, and confidentiality agreement if you share sensitive information. For hiring: offer letter template, contractor agreement (W-9 on file), and any required employment posters.
An NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement) protects confidential information -- it says "you cannot share what I tell you." A non-compete agreement restricts someone from working for competitors or starting a competing business for a defined time and geography. NDAs are broadly enforceable; non-competes are increasingly restricted by state law (California, Minnesota, and others ban them almost entirely; the FTC proposed a federal ban in 2024). An NDA protects your information; a non-compete protects your competitive position.