Would like to start a business helping senior citizens organize and pay bills on time. Do I need a Bond?
Elizabeth M asked:
I live in a retirment community and there is a great need for help to some of our senior citizens. Not sure what kind of legal documents needed, if any.
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I live in a retirment community and there is a great need for help to some of our senior citizens. Not sure what kind of legal documents needed, if any.
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March 13th, 2010 at 4:13 am
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I would speak with a lawyer for advise. I would think you would need something to protect yourself in case one of your clients tried to sue you for stealing funds when you hadn’t
March 16th, 2010 at 5:23 am
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you would need a bond, and a degree in either social work or finance. also criminal background.
March 18th, 2010 at 3:53 pm
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At the very least you will need to be bonded.
You can go to the police station and get a criminal check with your fingerprints.
Your city will most likely require a business license.
You do not need to have a degree to help write out their checks to pay bills. You are not acting as a
CPA. You are going to be a household assistant hired by each person on their own.
March 19th, 2010 at 5:25 pm
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You would need to be bonded. I would ask a college counselor in your community what was required. They may have answers for you.
March 20th, 2010 at 7:14 am
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if you plan to start a business then sell a product. Anything that involves a service needs a contract and some elders may not be able to contract because of dementia. There is already the county who does services like these and if people can’t pay or have to pay on a sliding scale, so be it.
March 20th, 2010 at 8:33 pm
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First, you will need a business license. If you will work from your home, then you need a home office permit. IF your clients will come to you, then the permit will not be issued you will need to rent a retail space/office in a business district. If you GO TO your clients, then it is permissible in MOST cities counties to operate a business from a home office.
Once you get your business license, you then need a resale permit from your state, to purchase goods @ a wholesale price. They are not easy to get.
*This also opens up the questions regarding sales tax on merchandise for purposes of resale*. You first need to present a business license then file a fictitious business name that must be printed in your local newspaper so that anyone who wants to can see who is applying for a permit contest it or place a lien on your worldly goods (should you happen to owe anyone)!
If you are just ADVISING people, you don’t need to be bonded or licensed in most states. Ask your City Hall for details.
If you are handling their money signing their checks, you will need a LOT of legal documents to cover your assets in case one of their family members decides to accuse you of something.
I would think that as long as these people are signing their own checks you are simply mailing them on a timely manner for each client, that you are simply providing a messenger service or an errand running service. Keep it simple to avoid legal problems. Good luck!
You might want to explore the possibility of doing favors for people accept their kind generous donations of gas money an occasional free lunch! I used to take this lady shopping she would always gift me with a canned ham a few other grocery items I was in need of. She also filled up my gas tank. I was happy with a gallon, but she would not hear of it. She was a nice lady. It was a sad day when she passed away.
Again, Good luck on your new venture!
Your retirement community may have strict rules regulations that do not permit a home based business to be conducted on their premises. This could become a touchy area if you don’t dot all of your i’s cross all of your t’s correctly. Be smart don’t get caught up in a mess that could get you evicted. You may need written permission of the owners to get a home office permit. I suggest you read your lease talk to an attorney if you have doubts about the meanings of the language contained within.
March 23rd, 2010 at 9:16 pm
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There are a lot of good answers here! Its quite a commitment. I agree its a necessity!
good luck in your new business!
March 25th, 2010 at 11:36 am
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The Adult and Aging Unit - part of Human Services is a State Government Agency.
They are the first people you should talk to. They are THEE agency that has been formed by the state government - to look out for the well being of aging adults.
When you find what they require - you will know what steps to take from there.
I wouldn’t attempt to handle someones money without the proper supervision..
DeeJay.