When your business faces legal challenges or needs guidance on critical decisions, having an experienced Fishers business attorney by your side makes all the difference. Zentz Law serves businesses throughout Fishers, Indianapolis, and Central Indiana with comprehensive business law services designed to protect your company’s interests. Our Indianapolis firm has built a reputation for excellence by providing practical counsel and focused advice that helps clients navigate complex business law matters and commercial transactions with confidence. 

As a locally owned law firm, we take pride in serving as a trusted legal counsel partner to businesses and residents throughout Indianapolis and the surrounding cities, helping companies navigate everything from commercial transactions and acquisitions to consumer law matters, intellectual property, and complex litigation. Our Indiana firm handles matters throughout the county, the state, and in federal courts when necessary. Whether you’re establishing a new venture in Indy or managing an established company, our business law practice is tailored to help businesses thrive in the city and across Indiana. Contact our attorney at 317-220-6056 for assistance with your business law matter.

Areas of Business Law We Handle

The lawyer at Zentz Law offers comprehensive legal advice and counsel services for businesses of all sizes throughout Central Indiana. While our local Indy firm focuses on several key business law practice areas detailed below, these represent just a portion of the business law matters our city-based lawyer team handles.

Buy-Sell Agreements

A buy-sell agreement establishes a clear plan for what happens when an owner wants to leave a business or when triggering events require ownership changes. These agreements protect all parties by setting defined terms for valuing and transferring ownership interests. Our lawyer helps businesses in Indianapolis and throughout Indiana draft agreements that prevent disputes and ensure smooth transitions. Whether your company is located downtown near Mass Ave, in surrounding neighborhoods, or in Fishers’ neighborhoods, having a properly structured buy-sell agreement protects your investment and provides certainty for all partners involved.

Contractor Disputes

Contracted projects with contracted employees can lead to disputes over payment, work quality, or project delays. Our Indy lawyer and firm provide business law services for clients in contractor disputes throughout Marion County and Central Indiana, whether through negotiation, litigation, or alternative dispute resolution. Our office helps businesses resolve conflicts efficiently while protecting financial interests, professional relationships, and ongoing commercial transactions.

Employee Contracts

Employment agreements define the relationship between businesses and their workers, covering compensation, duties, confidentiality, and termination terms. Our Indianapolis firm drafts and reviews employee contracts that comply with Indiana law while protecting your company’s interests. Whether you’re hiring your first employee or establishing agreements for a growing team, proper employment contracts are essential for any business in Indianapolis.

Key Parts of a Buy-Sell Agreement

Triggering Events: Every buy-sell agreement must clearly identify which events require or allow ownership transfers. Common triggering events include death, disability, retirement, divorce, bankruptcy, or voluntary departure. The plan should specify whether these events create mandatory purchase obligations or provide purchase options. Our business law firm and local attorney provide advice and counsel to help clients identify which triggering events make sense for their specific business structure and circumstances. Businesses throughout Indiana are best served when these events are clearly outlined.

Defined Parties: The agreement must clearly identify all parties who have rights and obligations under the plan. This includes current owners, the business entity itself, and potentially outside parties like family members or investors. Our lawyer team at the Indy firm ensures these provisions comply with corporate law requirements and reflect the parties’ intentions. For local businesses in Indy and surrounding cities, clearly defined parties prevent confusion and unauthorized ownership transfers.

Ownership Price: Determining how to value ownership interests is one of the most critical elements of any buy-sell agreement. The plan might establish a fixed price, use a formula based on revenue or assets, require focused appraisals, or combine multiple methods. Our Indianapolis office helps clients select valuation methods that provide fair pricing while avoiding disputes. Companies throughout Central Indiana need pricing mechanisms that reflect actual business value for commercial transactions and long-term development. These pricing strategies ensure owners are properly served.

Payment Terms: Beyond setting a price, agreements must specify how and when payment occurs. Some plans require immediate lump sum payment, while others allow installment payments over months or years. Our practice’s attorney helps clients structure payment terms that balance the departing owner’s need for fair compensation with the continuing business’s financial capacity. Clients are well served when payment terms are clear, fair, and aligned with the company’s ongoing goals.

Funding a Buy-Sell Agreement With Debt

Many businesses use debt financing to fund ownership buyouts under buy-sell agreements. This approach allows the business or remaining partners to acquire interest without depleting cash reserves needed for operations. Our Indiana firm assists clients in structuring debt-funded buyouts that satisfy lender requirements while protecting business continuity.

Alternative debt structures might include seller financing, where the departing owner receives payments over time directly from the business or remaining owners. Our attorney team drafts promissory notes, security agreements, and related documents that ensure seller-financed buyouts work effectively. Whether your business operates in downtown Indianapolis near Circle City or in Fishers neighborhoods, proper documentation protects all parties.

Some businesses combine multiple funding sources, using insurance proceeds, available cash, and debt to complete buyouts. Our Indy firm’s attorney helps clients develop comprehensive funding plans that address various scenarios. For business law clients throughout Indiana, having multiple funding options ensures buy-sell agreements can be executed when needed.

How Contracted Employees Are Different in Indiana

• Taxes: Independent contractors handle their own tax withholding and payments, unlike traditional employees where the employer withholds income and payroll taxes. Businesses pay no employment taxes for contractors, who receive Form 1099 rather than a W-2 Form. The lawyer at our law practice advises companies on proper tax treatment to ensure compliance with federal and Indiana requirements. Misclassifying workers can result in significant tax liability and penalties.
• Contractual Rights: Contracted employees work under specific agreements that define their services, compensation, and obligations. Unlike at-will employees in Indiana, contractors typically cannot be terminated without cause unless the contract allows it. The contracts govern the relationship rather than traditional employer-employee law. Our Indianapolis firm helps businesses draft contractor agreements that clearly establish the relationship and protect the company’s interests.
• Labor Law: Independent contractors are not covered by many labor protections that apply to traditional employees. They generally cannot claim unemployment benefits, workers’ compensation, or certain discrimination protections. However, if authorities determine a worker was misclassified, those protections may apply retroactively. Our practice’s attorney helps business law clients understand which labor laws affect their workforce.

Effects of Misclassifying Contracted Employees

Treating employees as contractors when they should be classified as employees creates serious legal and financial consequences. The business may owe back taxes, penalties, and interest on unpaid employment taxes. Workers may file claims for benefits they were wrongfully denied. Our practice’s attorney represents companies facing misclassification claims and helps clients audit their practices to prevent violations. Federal courts and Indiana agencies actively pursue misclassification cases.

The construction industry faces particular scrutiny regarding worker classification. Many construction companies use a mix of employees and contractors, creating compliance challenges. Our Indiana firm advises construction businesses on proper classification standards and documentation requirements. We’ve represented clients in state and federal courts, in appeals, and in commercial transactions.

Whether you’re located in Circle City, exploring development opportunities in growing neighborhoods, or operating anywhere in Indiana, Zentz Law is ready to serve as your legal counsel partner. Our office has helped business owners and residents protect their investments, resolve disputes, and plan for growth across virtually every industry. We invite you to visit our office or contact us to discuss your legal needs.

Important Employee Rights in Indiana

• Reasonable Wage: Indiana law requires employers to pay at least minimum wage and provide proper overtime compensation. Employees must receive pay for all hours worked, delivered on regular paydays. Our lawyer helps businesses establish payment practices that meet legal requirements.
• Medical/Family Leave: Eligible employees can take unpaid leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act for serious health conditions, childbirth, or family care needs. Our attorney team advises businesses on leave policies, eligibility determination, and related employment matters. Proper administration of family leave protections helps companies avoid litigation while supporting workers.
• Discrimination-Free Workplace: Federal and Indiana law prohibit employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, and other protected characteristics. Our attorney helps business clients develop policies and training programs that promote compliant, respectful workplaces. Companies throughout Indiana need counsel focused on preventing discrimination claims through proactive compliance.
• Retaliation Protection: Employees who report illegal conduct, file discrimination complaints, or exercise legal rights cannot be punished or terminated in retaliation. Our practice advises businesses on avoiding retaliation claims while managing performance and disciplinary issues appropriately.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do buy-sell agreements protect businesses?

Buy-sell agreements protect businesses by establishing clear plans for ownership transitions before disputes arise. The plan prevents disagreements among partners about valuation, payment terms, and transfer conditions. These agreements ensure the business continues operating smoothly when triggering events occur. For family-owned businesses, buy-sell agreements keep ownership within intended parties and prevent unwanted outside ownership. Our lawyer helps businesses throughout Indianapolis and Central Indiana implement plans that provide security and prevent conflicts.

Should I have a fixed purchase price in my buy-sell agreement?

Fixed purchase prices work well for some businesses but create problems for others. A fixed price provides certainty and avoids appraisal costs, but quickly becomes outdated as business value changes. Most businesses benefit from formula-based pricing or periodic appraisals that reflect current value. Our lawyer analyzes each client’s situation to recommend appropriate valuation methods. Businesses throughout the county and Indiana should review pricing provisions regularly.

Can an employee be asked to perform work not in their contract?

For at-will employees without specific employment contracts, Indiana employers generally can assign any lawful tasks regardless of initial job descriptions. However, employees with detailed employment contracts typically can only be required to perform duties within the contract’s scope. Our Indy lawyer provides business law services to companies in Marion County and beyond, advising on the scope of employment agreements and helping draft contracts with appropriate flexibility that comply with federal courts and commercial standards.

Protect Your Central Indiana Business With Zentz Law

Zentz Law has served business clients throughout Fishers, Indianapolis, and Central Indiana for years, building a practice focused on practical services and solutions to complex legal challenges. Our lawyer understands that every business faces unique circumstances, and we tailor our services to address your specific needs. From drafting contracts and buy-sell agreements to handling employment matters and commercial litigation, our Indy firm provides the counsel businesses need to succeed. With extensive knowledge of Indiana business law, local and federal courts, and a commitment to client service, our Indianapolis firm’s attorney delivers results that help companies thrive.

Zentz Law is a Circle City firm with extensive business law experience, ready to serve clients throughout Indiana and beyond. Our lawyer team has partnered with businesses across every sector, providing focused counsel to help companies navigate everything from employment issues to intellectual property claims. Visit our local Indy practice and let our experienced team be your trusted partner for all your business law needs in Indiana. Contact us at 317-220-6056.