Legal Services for Bootstrapped Founders

Accessible, transparent legal services designed specifically for bootstrapped entrepreneurs. Get the essential legal protection your startup needs without breaking the bank.

Founder-Friendly Legal

Legal support that grows with your business

We understand the bootstrap journey. Our services are designed specifically for entrepreneurs who need essential legal protection without the excessive fees of traditional law firms.

Transparent Pricing

Fixed-fee packages with no surprise billing. Know exactly what you're paying for upfront.

Scalable Solutions

Start with what you need today and add more legal protection as your business grows.

Fast Turnaround

Get your legal documents quickly so you can focus on building your business, not waiting on paperwork.

Pricing

Legal Packages for Bootstrapped Founders

Affordable legal services designed to grow with your business. No surprises, just straightforward pricing.

See how we save you 58-87% compared to traditional law firms

Essential Formation Package

$750

The bare minimum legal foundation your startup needs to get started properly.

  • Entity formation documents
  • Operating agreement/bylaws
  • EIN application guidance
  • Initial corporate minutes
  • Brief consultation and review

Bootstrapper's Growth Kit

Recommended
$1200

A comprehensive legal foundation that covers your business as it starts to operate and grow.

  • Everything in Essential Formation
  • Founder equity assignment
  • IP assignment agreements
  • Privacy policy & terms
  • Customer contract template
  • Brief consultation and review

Milestone-Based Growth Plan

$450+starting at

Legal support aligned with your specific business milestone - only pay for what you need right now.

  • Select one or more milestone services based on your current needs
  • Free milestone strategy session
  • Targeted solutions for your current stage

Testimonials

From fellow bootstrapped founders

"The Essential Formation package gave us exactly what we needed to get our corporation set up, without the sticker shock of traditional law firms."

As a bootstrapped SaaS founder, I appreciated the guidance on whether to choose an LLC or corporation in my home state instead of Delaware. The clear $750 pricing and focus on just the essentials was perfect for our early stage.

Sarah T.

Co-founder, TechStartup

"The Milestone-Based Growth Plan is brilliant. I only pay for legal services when I actually reach those business milestones."

I started with just my customer contracts when I made my first sale, and then added the hiring package when I brought on my first contractor. This approach works perfectly with my bootstrapped cash flow.

Michael R.

Founder, E-commerce Platform

"After raising a small friends & family round, we upgraded to the Bootstrapper's Growth Kit. Best decision ever."

The founder agreement and IP assignment docs saved us from a potential dispute, and having website terms ready to go when we launched was critical. Well worth the $1,200 investment.

Jamie L.

Co-founder, FinTech Startup

"The Team Equity Package saved us from some serious headaches when adding new team members."

As first-time founders, we had no idea how complicated equity grants could be. The vesting schedules, 83(b) election guidance, and milestone-based agreements for our advisors were exactly what we needed. Worth every penny of the $650.

Alex K.

Founder, B2B SaaS Platform

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Common questions from bootstrapped founders about our legal services

Do you only form Delaware corporations like other services?

Unlike many legal services that only handle Delaware corporations, we help you form your business in the state that makes the most sense for YOUR situation. For many bootstrapped companies, forming in your home state can save on filing fees and simplify compliance. We'll guide you through the pros and cons of different states based on your specific business goals.

Why are your prices lower than traditional law firms?

We've streamlined our processes specifically for startups, allowing us to work more efficiently. By focusing exclusively on early-stage businesses, we can use standardized frameworks and technology to deliver high-quality legal services at more accessible price points. See our detailed price comparison to understand how we save you 58-87% on legal costs.

How can you offer quality legal services at such affordable prices?

Forthlaw uses the "Democratizer" business model pattern, which focuses on making high-quality legal services accessible to market segments that traditionally couldn't afford them. We combine technology innovation with efficient delivery methods to dramatically reduce costs while maintaining quality. Learn more about our business model and how it benefits bootstrapped founders.

What if my business needs change during the process?

We understand that startups evolve quickly. If your needs change during the process, we'll work with you to adjust our services accordingly. Our goal is to be flexible and responsive to your business reality.

Are there any hidden fees I should know about?

No. We're transparent about our pricing and will always make it clear when government filing fees or other third-party costs are not included in our packages. We provide a clear quote before starting any work.

How quickly will I receive my legal documents?

Most standard documents are delivered within 5-7 business days. For rush orders, we offer expedited services at an additional fee. The specific timeline will be discussed during our initial consultation.

How do I handle team equity and vesting?

Our Team Equity Package guides you through allocating equity to team members, implementing vesting schedules (typically 4-year with a 1-year cliff), and filing 83(b) elections with the IRS. We help you understand the differences between restricted stock and options, set up milestone-based vesting for advisors, and create legally sound equity plans that protect your company as it grows. This tends to be an educational journey for many founders, and we make the process simple to understand.

What's an 83(b) election and why is it important?

An 83(b) election is a tax filing that founders and employees must make within 30 days of receiving equity subject to vesting. It allows you to pay taxes on the total value of your equity grant at the time of grant (usually when the value is very low) rather than paying taxes as shares vest (when they might be worth much more). Missing this 30-day window can result in a significantly higher tax burden. Our Team Equity Package includes guidance on properly filing this critical document with the IRS, potentially saving you thousands in future taxes.

What if I'm not sure which package is right for me?

We offer a free 15-minute consultation to help determine which services best fit your current stage and needs. We'll never upsell you on services you don't need at your current stage.

Ready to get started?

Schedule a free 15-minute consultation to discuss your startup's legal needs.