What are the legal complications of starting a small business while under 18?

Question

I'm looking for links to articles about the legal complications of starting and running a small business at age 17. And I'm not talking about mowing lawns or walking dogs or babysitting, I'm talking about an all out real business, with like a name and contracts and licenses and insurance and all that good stuff.

Answer 1

Until you are 18 or an emancipated minor, you can NOT legally enter into any binding contract, which means you can NOT run a business by yourself. You need an adult or guardian who CAN to put their name on any legal documents and engage in transactions. This applies to ANY business, including mowing lawns by the way, but is generally NOT enforced for a casual business such as mowing lawns or selling lemonade by the road on Saturday mornings...

Answer 2

Under 18 you cannot legally sign a contract of any type.

Use this basic checklist to make sure all the important steps are taken before you launch your new venture. This business checklist will make sure that you cross all your t's and dot all your i's before your business launch.

Steps to Starting a Business -

http://www.developer-resource.com/starti...

Other sites you might find helpful are:

SBA - http://www.sba.gov/

SCORE - http://www.score.org

Small Business Resource - http://www.small-business-software.net

Business Link - http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/act...

Goodluck!