Whether your business sells handmade soaps or used office equipment, you should document transactions in writing. You need a bill of sale, a legal document that shows ownership was transferred from the seller to the buyer. It can also be used as an agreement for the sale of goods or as a sales receipt.
Download legal forms from the Web
You can find almost every type of legal form on the Internet, forms that have been prepared by attorneys or approved by them. Most Web sites have a search-by-state feature.
I recommend: FindForms.com has more than 10,000 forms, including bill of sale forms for automobiles, horses, motorcycles and personal property.
BillOfSale.us offers a wide range of customized bill of sale forms for different types of purchases.
Law Depot offers info on how bill of sale forms are used, along with forms to download.
Preview forms and make changes
Most Web sites allow users to look at forms – or sections – before buying. Some also have bilingual forms in both Spanish and English.
I recommend: USlegalforms.com has state-specific forms, including bilingual ones, available to purchase for download in a variety of formats.
Save time by filling out forms online
While most Web sites offer both downloadable forms and snail mail versions for a few extra bucks, some allow you to fill out all your specific information online, preview it and then print.
I recommend: At
LawDepot.com, answer the questions online, and then print your complete legal document.
Make your paper forms work digitally
Special software lets you convert paper forms into digital forms that you can complete and print on your computer.
I recommend: OmniForm, from the software company Nuance, is a best-seller among personal forms management software. It lets you quickly turn paper forms into digital forms, or create new digital forms from scratch. It comes with a set of pre-designed templates to facilitate the creation of new forms.
Comparison shop for forms
Although most forms are similar – especially the general bill of sale forms – prices do vary, so be sure to check prices of the various Web sites selling legal forms.
I recommend: Go to
BillofSale.us, for attorney-approved sample forms at a bargain basement price of $4.99.
AllBusiness.com has a bill of sale for personal property and motor vehicles for $15; for equipment, $25.