Start by explaining what your business will do, who owns it and who you will deal with. A lawyer can help identify the agreements and legal steps you need first. An accountant can advise on tax and financial questions. You do not need every possible template on day one.
Understand the situation and prepare
Map your first transactions: agreements between founders, work for customers, purchases from suppliers and hiring. Ask what needs to be settled before you commit money or sign a contract. Mention regulated activities or work outside Ontario. For example, an incorporation service may create the company but not prepare a shareholders' agreement or every operating contract.
Match the legal work to the next business commitment
Start with the transactions and relationships you are about to enter: ownership, customers, suppliers, premises and staff. Incorporation, operating agreements, licences and tax advice are not one interchangeable task. Explain what you plan to do, where you operate and who is involved so advisers can identify suitable work and any separate expertise.
A practical example
Illustrative example: Two founders want to start trading and buy an incorporation package. They also need to agree ownership and decision-making. Ask whether those arrangements are included or need separate advice. A company registration does not by itself settle every agreement between the founders or with future customers.
Questions to settle before the next step
Ask what needs to be completed before signing, spending money or beginning a regulated activity. Separate legal and accounting questions, and confirm deliverables and ongoing obligations. If several tasks are linked, explain the overall need in a quotation request instead of buying several packages without checking how they fit together.
Your next steps
- Describe ownership and decision-making arrangements.
- List licences, registrations and sector requirements to check.
- Identify your first customer, supplier and hiring contracts.
- Coordinate legal and accounting advice.
How LegalMart can help
Find help that fits
LegalMart's business catalogue lets you explore defined incorporation and contract services. Read the inclusions and exclusions before requesting one. If several tasks are connected, explain the whole picture in a quotation request so the lawyer can suggest an appropriate scope.
Keep the work connected
After your lawyer accepts the engagement, use the agreed shared service room for messages, documents and the next recorded action. Your lawyer may separately use private Workplace matter tools; you do not need a firm login, and sharing in one place does not automatically copy records into the other.
Use LegalMart for your next step
Have a question about a feature or its availability? Raise a question with support and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
What to keep in mind
LegalMart does not choose your tax structure or complete every registration automatically. Licensing, tax, cross-border work and regulated businesses can need additional advice and services.
Helpful sources
Read more from these official sources. Rules and services can change; check the current information before acting.