Ask an Expert: Here's how to prevent a lot of legal hassles

— -- Q: In all of your years of representing businesses as a lawyer and giving small businesses advice, you must have come across some good, cheap strategies that businesses can use. If so, can you share them? — Ira

A: If I think about it, there are definitely some strategies I have learned along the way — legal and otherwise — that are inexpensive while also making your business life easier. Some are well known, others are not, but all can make a difference.

And of course, being the lawyer I am, let me note that nothing beats meeting with your own attorney who is aware of your facts and situation. But this list should give you something to talk about.

1. Get creditors to leave you alone, quickly and inexpensively:Especially these days, plenty of folks are being called incessantly by bill collectors. If you want the phone to stop ringing, one thing you can do is invoke the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act. Say something like, "Pursuant to the FDCPA, you are to never call me again about this debt." (Note: This has to be made to third party bill collector and not the original creditor.)

Once they have been given notice (doing it by certified mail is even better) they have to stop calling. They may sue you, or not, but the threats will cease.

2. Often, you can do it yourself:There are plenty of times when you don't really need a lawyer and can do it yourself far less expensively. I am partial to the do-it-yourself law products at Nolo.com, but there are other good sites out there as well, like LegalZoom.com.

Of course, it's the basic stuff I am talking about here — forming an LLC, creating a will, etc.

3. And when you can't do it yourself, you may only need a letter:When someone owes your business money it is understandable that you want to sue the bum. But lawsuits are messy and expensive. Many times, a strongly-worded letter from a lawyer can yield even better results than costly, complex litigation, and at a fraction of the price.