Early-stage founders often either over-lawyer things that don't matter yet or skip the handful of documents that actually prevent expensive problems later. Here's what typically matters most in the first 90 days.
Formation documents that match how you'll actually operate
Articles of organization or incorporation are just the starting point — the operating agreement or bylaws are what actually govern decision-making, ownership changes, and what happens if a co-founder leaves. Generic templates here create the exact gaps that cause founder disputes down the road.
IP assignment agreements, signed by everyone from day one
Every founder, employee, and contractor who touches the company's product needs to sign an IP assignment agreement confirming the company — not them individually — owns what they build. Skipping this early is one of the most common issues that surfaces during due diligence for a future raise or acquisition.
Founder agreements addressing equity and departure
Vesting schedules, roles, and what happens if a founder leaves early need to be documented before there's any tension about it — not after. This is one of the most commonly skipped documents in a company's first months, and one of the most expensive to have skipped.
Basic contract templates for the deals you'll actually sign
A standard NDA, a services or vendor agreement template, and an employment offer letter template save significant time and reduce risk once a company starts signing real deals — having these ready before you need them beats drafting from scratch under deadline pressure.