Small Business Law FAQ

  • Every business should have clearly written contracts for:

    • Clients or customers (service agreements, engagement letters)

    • Vendors and suppliers (purchase agreements, delivery terms)

    • Employees or contractors (employment or independent contractor agreements)

    • Partnerships or investors (operating agreements, shareholder agreements)

    Having strong contracts protects your rights, clarifies responsibilities, and reduces the risk of legal disputes.

  • Free templates can be a helpful starting point, but they’re rarely customized for Virginia law or your specific industry. A poorly drafted contract can lead to enforcement issues or leave key terms out. It's best to have important agreements reviewed or drafted by a business attorney.

  • Some of the most frequent issues include:

    • Not putting the agreement in writing

    • Leaving out payment terms, timelines, or termination clauses

    • Using generic language that’s too vague

    • Not specifying what happens in a dispute

    • Not complying with Virginia or federal legal requirements

    These mistakes can make a contract difficult — or even impossible — to enforce.

  • Compliance refers to meeting all applicable state, federal, and industry-specific laws, including:

    • Filing annual reports with the Virginia State Corporation Commission

    • Keeping business licenses and registrations up to date

    • Maintaining proper employee classification and payroll records

    • Following applicable privacy, advertising, and consumer protection laws

    Staying in compliance helps avoid fines, lawsuits, or loss of good standing.

  • A business attorney can help ensure your contracts:

    • Include all required legal disclosures

    • Use enforceable language under Virginia contract law

    • Clearly define parties, obligations, and remedies

    • Comply with industry-specific statutes and regulations

    Regular contract reviews can also help keep your agreements current as your business grows or laws change.

  • If you’ve delivered your product or service and haven’t been paid:

    1. Start with a written demand for payment

    2. Consider enforcing the terms of your contract (including late fees or collection costs)

    3. If needed, file a warrant in debt in small claims or general district court, depending on the amount owed

    An attorney can help you navigate collections without violating debt collection laws.

  • You can attempt collections on your own, but an attorney can:

    • Ensure your demand letters and follow-up efforts comply with Virginia and federal debt laws

    • Improve your chances of recovery through formal legal channels

    • Help you avoid costly mistakes or escalation to counterclaims

    For recurring issues, we can also help revise your client contracts to make payment terms easier to enforce.