| Hi there! Startup attorney here, so sorry to hear that happened. First off, it sounds like you absolutely made the right call walking away. You weren't dumb - you were generous, and that generosity was taken advantage of. To answer your questions: On protecting yourself legally: Even without money for lawyers, it's a good idea to get something in writing before writing a single line of code. A simple document covering equity split, IP ownership, and expense handling goes a long way. You can find free founder agreement templates online that are better than nothing. On vetting partners: Look for concrete contributions, not just ideas. Red flags include unwillingness to invest personally (time or money) and vague promises about future value. On whether everything needs to be "hardcore": No, but clear expectations aren't adversarial - they're professional. You can be friendly AND have proper agreements. In fact, good documentation often prevents relationships from turning sour. The best partnerships balance contribution and reward. For your current project, don't let this experience make you overly cautious - just be appropriately cautious. Find someone who brings real value and is willing to formalize the relationship early. Good luck with your new venture! |