Feeling like legal protection keeps sliding down your to-do list?
If you’ve been meaning to “get your legal handled” for months but never quite know where to start, this is the perfect place. In this video, attorney Valerie Del Grosso breaks down exactly what coaches need to know about the legal side of running a coaching business—without the jargon, overwhelm, or unnecessary steps.
Since 2008, Valerie has helped entrepreneurs handle some of the most stressful moments in their businesses. The good news for coaches? Coaching is a low-risk industry. With just a few key protections in place, you can confidently grow your business, protect your paycheck, and focus on what you actually love—coaching.
Why Legal Worries Don’t Have to Run the Show
Most coaches start their business to help people—not to become part-time lawyers. But when you turn your skills into a business, you suddenly wear every hat: marketing, HR, operations, customer care. Valerie’s goal is to simplify what actually matters legally, so you can stop Googling, guessing, and losing time you could spend coaching clients.
This isn’t about fine print or lawsuits—it’s about avoiding problems before they happen and setting clear expectations with clients and partners.
1. The Attraction Stage: Privacy and Permission Matter
When you first start attracting potential clients—through lead magnets, freebies, or newsletters—you’re collecting personal information.
Legally, that means you need:
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A clear privacy policy that explains what you’ll do with someone’s email address.
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A way for people to unsubscribe or be forgotten if they change their minds.
These simple steps keep you compliant with privacy laws and build instant trust with your audience.
Want a totally free privacy policy? Get it inside Legal in a Weekend.
2. The Sales Stage: Be Clear, Not Careless
Once prospects warm up, you’ll invite them into sales conversations—whether that’s a discovery call, webinar, or event.
Here, clarity is your best legal protection. Be specific about what your program includes, what results are realistic, and who you’re best suited to help.
Valerie reminds us: unhappy clients are the number-one source of legal issues for coaches. The clearer you are upfront, the happier your clients (and your inbox) will be later.
3. The Conversion Stage: Clean Payments and Clear Terms
When a client says yes, the real business begins.
At this stage, make sure you:
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Use secure payment methods (never write down card info).
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Get recurring payment authorization in writing if you use memberships or payment plans.
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Outline exactly what’s included, for how long, and what happens if the client doesn’t use their sessions.
Your coaching contract should do all of this for you—and once it’s in place, you’ll feel peace of mind every time a new client signs on.
Want access to the entire library of client agreements? Get Little Black Legal Book.
4. The Delivery Stage: Boundaries Protect Everyone
During delivery, things can get messy—especially if you coach groups or work with emotional topics.
That’s why you need:
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Community guidelines and disclaimers.
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Clear roles and responsibilities for both coach and client.
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Boundaries that protect your energy, reputation, and community.
A well-written agreement gives you freedom to coach boldly, knowing you’re covered if a client gets defensive, disengages, or requests a refund.
5. The Operations Stage: Build a Future-Proof Coaching Business
Behind the scenes, legal organization is what turns your coaching business into a real company.
From choosing the right business entity (like an LLC) to setting up proper bookkeeping and tax systems, these are the moves that let you:
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Protect your personal assets.
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Qualify for valuable tax deductions and financial benefits.
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Build a business that can support you for years to come.
Valerie’s mission is to help coaches create a beautiful boundary around their body of work—so it can grow, earn, and endure.
Your Next Step: Get Legal in a Weekend
If you’re ready to stop guessing and finally get your legal foundation in place, Valerie’s free course Legal in a Weekend walks you through the five essential legal steps every coach needs before signing their next client.
👉 Enroll free here and get everything set up—fast, simple, and stress-free.
And don’t forget: hit Subscribe on YouTube so you never miss Valerie’s twice-weekly videos about protecting your coaching business the smart way.
