Can Business Owners Draft Their Own Legal Documents without Hiring a Lawyer? Sure, but I highly recommend against it and here is why.

Legal documents create legal obligations for the parties. If the business owner not completely know or understand the company obligations it is creating, he could be causing additional unnecessary and risky obligations for the company it should not have.

Here are a few examples of owner-drafted contracts and employee handbooks that have come across my desk and caused large problems for the company:

1. Required payout of thousands of dollars in vacation time to employees whose poor performance caused significant financial issues for the company;

2. Indemnifying and paying for damages of unrelated parties;

3. Unknowingly locking the business into a 1 year contract of employment.

4. Allowing employees to work for the competitor, when the intent was a non-compete agreement.

I know it may seem temping, but do not draft legal agreements without hiring an attorney. There are some wonderful attorneys who can provide the peace of mind for the best protection of your company without the fear of legal headaches down the road. I am connected to many Florida attorneys, so if you are in need of one for your business, do not hesitate to contact The Wannos Law Firm.