The basic law of contracts is quite simple...one party makes an offer to another, the second party accepts, and something of worth must be exchanged on each side. Sounds simple, right? Well, not always....Below are some of the most common contract nightmares.

If you're thinking of starting a business or have already taken the leap, chances are you've heard from someone about how you have to set yourself up as a ______________. The ______ will differ depending on who you talk to, and what they believe to be the most important reason to have an entity for your business. So who's right? As with anything, the answer depends on the particular situation. However, there are some helpful things to know about each of the more common entities.

Soon after you have the brilliant brainstorm for your business, you realize you need to name it. No matter how you arrive at your company's name, chances are you put a good deal of time and money (think letterhead, packaging, etc.) into it quickly thereafter. So why not protect it from being used or stolen by someone else?

What does it take to start a business? Folks who have been there know, it often doesn't take much, but starting things out the right way can make all the difference between success and failure. So, what does it take to start a business? What follows is very likely not an exhaustive list, but will hopefully prove helpful to anyone thinking of doing something new.

You should not start a business without consulting with professionals, and that includes a lawyer. I've seen too many folks try to DIY the start-up, and though they save money on the front end, they end up spending at least 10 times more on the back end to fix issues that could have been completely prevented. But professionals (especially lawyers) are expensive. So what to do? I've got an idea...