For those who need basic legal advice; for those who need simple-to-understand explanations of laws the affect the creation of or the continuation of a business; for those who're unable to have a lawyer draft a contract, then Quicken (& Nolo's) Legal Business Pro is a must-have.
Legal Business Pro: Contracts and Forms 2011 is a cooperative effort by two companies: Quicken and Nolo.
Quicken is a software designer that primarily specializes in accounting and bookkeeping software. And, they've produced this series of legal and business disc with Nolo, a 40-year old company out of California that offers free and/or low-cost legal services to the underrepresented.
LBP 2011 is an update from last year's production, which I reviewed as priceless for the quality of information and the price. The only thing I wasn't thrilled with was the pocket "law book" which I found to take away from the importance of the set. I understood it was an attempt to make the package more palatable for college-age readers.
This year, the set up is identical. You have a no-frills grey interface with a header, drop-downs and side bar.
There's also a link that you can access from the header or sidebar that takes you directly to Nolo's website where you can access more current and detailed information. (* One important note, as of 11.28.10, if you install the software a message appears that says "software is no longer supported"--what does this mean? That LBP2012 is about to be produced? Some or all of the blank contractual forms are invalid? No longer upgradable for Windows XP? - nothing is explained and yet the software, contracts and internet connection to the site all work fine.)
The "law book" for LBP 2011 is much improved and looks more like a fun-fact book as opposed to a crude college-humor tome.
What will I find inside of interest?
Explanations and Contractual forms for:
* Buying and Selling A Business
* Buying and Selling Real Estate
* Contracts For Goods & Services
* Corporate Minutes & Consents
* Forms for Forming A Business
* Hiring Workers
* LLC Minutes & Consents
* Leasing A Space
* IRS Tax Forms
* Managing Finances
* Financial Forecasts & Worksheets
* Sample Letters and Policies.
All in all, there's well over thousands of dollars worth of free legal advice here. Considering a hour of consultation for a business lawyer is $200/ hr. here in Miami, this package alone will save you from seeing a lawyer until absolutely necessary.
5 tremendous stars.