I also disagree with the statement that lawyers will not do a consult for free. Most lawyers will, particularly if you're going to use them as your counsel. I'm not suggesting that it's a good idea to pick their brains for free and not have any intention of using them, (since even lawyers deserve to make money from their skills) but it happens all the time...

Here's my $.02 on your question:

First, you should make sure that you've set up your business form to protect you personally from liability. Look into S-Corporations and LLCs....

Second, you need to contact the State that you live in to find out the requirements for a babysitting service (this might be where having an attorney is helpful) to find out if a babysitting service falls within the state's definition of a "daycare" situation. I'm guessing that it does not. However, you need to check (both with the state and locally) about what you'll need to run the business.

Third, you need to decide how closely you're screening your "sitters". I would certainly suggest a full criminal background check and fingerprint search. (Sorry, that's from the mom part, not necessarily from the lawyer part of me).

Fourth, you need liability insurance. Heaven forbid you have a problem, you need it.

And now you've picked a lawyer's brain for free... LOL!

If you have any other questions, let me know...

Deena Burgess, Esq.
www.ebusinesslawgroup.com
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Any opinions are offered without knowledge of the specific law of your jurisdiction and with only the limited information provided in your post. No advice given here should be reasonably relied upon by you or any third party without consulting an attorney who is aware of all of the facts and law surrounding your situation. Any advice given here is not intended to creat an attorney-client relationship in any way.