How to DIY Legal Work for Your Startup Without Hiring a Lawyer

Let’s be honest -- you don’t always need to hire a lawyer when starting a business. As an attorney, I know that sounds odd coming from me, but it's the truth. Sure, there are situations where legal expertise is necessary (we’ll cover those later), but for most startups, you can handle many legal tasks on your own—and save a ton of money while doing it.

 

 

 

In this guide, I'll walk you through the legal tasks you can DIY (and how to do them right), the tools you’ll need, and when it's smart to call in professional help. So, let’s dive in and get your startup legally solid without the lawyer fees.

Legal Tasks You Can Handle Yourself

Forming Your LLC or S Corp

Starting an LLC or S Corp is often one of the first legal steps a business owner takes. You might think this requires a lawyer, but that’s not always true.

Here’s a quick example: say you're opening a coffee shop. You want to form an LLC to protect your personal assets, but you're not sure if you need a lawyer for it. The reality? Many entrepreneurs form LLCs themselves with just a little guidance.

What you’ll need:

• A step-by-step tool like Legal GPS that walks you through filing Articles of Organization for your LLC. This is a simple form you can file with your state’s business office. Most states allow you to file it online, and it often costs around $100-$300.

Want to go further? If you’re curious about S Corps for tax benefits, the IRS website has clear instructions on how to file an S Corp election (Form 2553). For most early-stage businesses, this doesn’t require legal consultation.

Example: Jane, an ecommerce startup owner, used Legal GPS to form her LLC for $150, compared to the $1,000 her friend paid a lawyer for the same process. The difference? Jane followed a clear, step-by-step guide and didn’t need custom legal advice.

Drafting Basic Contracts

Contracts can sound intimidating, but for most basic agreements, you don’t need a lawyer to draft them from scratch. In fact, the majority of startups use standard contract templates that cover all the essentials.

Here are a few contracts you can easily DIY:

• Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs): Let’s say you’re hiring a contractor to design your website, and you want to protect your business ideas. NDAs are straightforward. Legal GPS offers templates you can customize in just a few minutes. Most NDAs don’t require heavy legal input, unless your business has complex intellectual property issues.
• Independent Contractor Agreements: If you're hiring freelancers or consultants, this is a must-have. With a solid template, you can set expectations around deadlines, payments, and intellectual property rights without involving a lawyer.

Example: Think about John, who runs a marketing consultancy. He hired a designer to create his brand logo. Using an independent contractor agreement template, John made sure the designer’s work legally belonged to his company—without ever paying a lawyer.

Trademarking Your Business Name

Trademarking is another area that sounds complicated, but isn’t always. Before you rush to a lawyer, do a quick trademark search yourself to see if your business name is available. If it’s not already taken, you can file your TM application online with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

What you'll need:

• Trademark search tools (like Legal GPS or even USPTO’s free search tool).
• Instructions for filing a trademark application online (found on USPTO's website).

This step can protect your business name, logo, and brand without an attorney. Just make sure you’re diligent with your search.

Example: Sarah wanted to open an online boutique and call it “Brilliant Threads.” A quick trademark search on the USPTO website showed no conflicts, so she confidently moved forward with her branding. After some guidance from Legal GPS, Sarah was able to file her own trademark application—saving her thousands in legal fees.

 

 

Benefits of Doing Legal Work Yourself

Handling legal work yourself offers more than just cost savings. Here’s why it’s often the best route for startups:

1. You’ll Save Money

Hiring an attorney can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000 for basic tasks like forming an LLC or drafting contracts. When you’re bootstrapping your startup, every dollar counts. Using a service like Legal GPS can get the job done for a fraction of the price.

Example: The average cost for forming an LLC with a lawyer is between $1,000 and $3,000. Doing it yourself? Just $39 with a Legal GPS Pro subscription plus your state filing fee.

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2. You Stay in Control

By handling legal tasks yourself, you’re directly involved in every step of your business’s formation. You learn more about your business's legal needs, and that knowledge will serve you well as your company grows.

Example: Instead of relying on a lawyer to tell you what your business needs, you can take control. Whether it’s forming an LLC or drafting an agreement, you’ll know exactly what’s happening with your business.

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3. You’ll Learn Valuable Skills

Handling legal tasks yourself teaches you skills that go beyond paperwork. You’ll gain confidence in understanding contracts, compliance, and risk management—things that will benefit your business long after your startup phase.

Example: Once Lisa learned how to file her own LLC and draft contracts, she realized that these skills applied to her daily business operations. She no longer felt overwhelmed by legal issues, and it made her a stronger business owner.

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Tools for DIY Legal Work

To make DIY legal work easier, you need the right tools in your corner. Here’s what I recommend:

1. Legal GPS

Legal GPS offers everything from step-by-step guides to editable contract templates. If you’re handling things like business formation, contracts, or compliance, it’s an affordable and comprehensive solution.

Example: With Legal GPS, you can follow a checklist to ensure you don’t miss any important legal steps for your startup, like filing your Articles of Organization or drafting an operating agreement.

2. Trademark Search Tools

Trademarking your business name is an important step, but it doesn’t have to be expensive. USPTO’s free search tool allows you to check if your business name is available before filing for a trademark.

When You Might Still Need a Lawyer

Even with all these tools at your disposal, there are times when hiring a lawyer makes sense. If your business has multiple owners, complex legal structures, or plans to raise venture capital, that’s where a lawyer’s expertise can help you navigate trickier legal waters.

Example: If you're forming a tech startup with plans for equity compensation or fundraising, an attorney can ensure you're setting things up for future growth.

Do I need a business lawyer?

The biggest question now is, "Do I need a business lawyer?” For most businesses and in most cases, you don't need a lawyer to start your business. Instead, many business owners rely on Legal GPS Pro to help with legal issues.

Legal GPS Pro is your All-In-One Legal Toolkit for Businesses. Developed by top startup attorneys, Pro gives you access to 100+ expertly crafted templates including operating agreements, NDAs, and service agreements, and an interactive platform. All designed to protect your company and set it up for lasting success.