If you’ve spent any amount of time online lately, then you’ve likely realized how the virtual assistant (VA) industry is booming. And honestly, it’s no surprise why!
More people than ever are 1) craving the freedom of remote work and 2) wanting to ditch their 9-5 and build something for themselves. Becoming a VA is one of the best and low-lift places to start.
Even if you plan to evolve your business in the future, becoming a virtual assistant gets your foot in the door to the online business world and helps you quickly figure out what you really want to do (and what you don’t).
Whether you're managing inboxes, scheduling content, creating systems, or doing it all, working as a VA allows you to support clients you love and build a business that's flexible, fulfilling, and financially rewarding.
But alongside all the exciting parts of being your own boss, there’s one piece many VAs overlook: the legal side.
Actually scratch that… it’s not just VAs that overlook the legal side of business! Most business owners do, which is really why The Boutique Lawyer exists in the first place.
I know that you’d rather spend the majority of your time doing the work you actually love, instead of figuring out how to piece together contracts and other legal agreements that are necessary for your business.
That’s why I’ve done the hard work for almost any online business industry and created customizable contract templates to help you protect your business from bottom to top right from the start.
You can find all of those here, but this blog post is for the VAs in the room!
If you're offering 1:1 services or managing your own business website, having the right legal agreements for virtual assistants in place isn’t just “nice to have” – it's essential.
Keep reading for the three legal agreements every VA needs (and why they matter so much)!
The 3 Legal Agreements That Every Virtual Assistant Needs
1. The Virtual Assistant Client Agreement
When you’re working 1:1 with clients, this is your first line of defense.
A solid VA client agreement outlines the scope of your work, payment terms, cancellation policies, timelines, and what happens if something goes wrong. It protects both you and your clients by setting clear expectations and boundaries from the beginning.
Without one, you’re opening yourself up to confusion, scope creep, late payments, and even legal disputes. And while it might feel tempting to copy and paste something from the internet or use what a friend sent you, that’s risky business – especially if you’re hoping to build a legit, long-term VA career.
Your VA client agreement should be tailored to the services YOU specifically offer and include clauses that cover common client hiccups.
For example:
- What happens if a client misses a payment?
- Are revisions included in your scope of work?
- Who owns the content or materials you help create?
All of that (and more) should be crystal clear in your contract.
2. Website Privacy Policy
VA or not, if you have a website (especially one that collects emails or contact info) this is non-negotiable.
Privacy policies are legally required in many places, including the U.S., Canada, and the European Union, under laws like the GDPR and CCPA. These policies explain how you collect, use, and store data from site visitors.
Even if your VA website is simple with a homepage, about page, and contact form, you’re likely collecting some type of personal data in one way or another and that’s enough to warrant a clear, legally sound privacy policy.
And if you ever plan to grow your business, launch a newsletter, or sell digital products, you’ll absolutely need one.
It’s important to remember that privacy isn’t just a tech thing, it’s a trust thing!
Clients and potential leads want to know that you’re serious about protecting their information and having a well-drafted privacy policy shows that you’re running a professional and legitimate operation.
And if you choose NOT to implement a privacy policy in your VA business? Well, you’ll likely pay for it in the future… literally. 💸 Don’t believe me? Read here to see what I mean!
3. Website Terms of Use
Lastly, staying on theme of your website, you’ll also want to have a Website Terms of Use and you can think of this like the rulebook for your website.
While the Privacy Policy deals with data collection, your website Terms of Use govern how people can interact with and use your site. It limits your liability and helps prevent others from misusing your content or trying to hold you responsible for things outside your control.
If you’ve ever (or plan to) written blog posts, posted client testimonials, or shared templates on your website, this agreement helps protect your intellectual property and sets boundaries with your audience.
Plus, if you ever run into disputes over website use or accessibility, your Terms of Use act as your legal safety net. It’s one of those behind-the-scenes protections that most people don’t think about until they really need it.
A Virtual Assistant’s One Stop Contract Shop
When you’re first starting out in business, I know that trying to figure out all the legal agreements on your own can be overwhelming, especially when you’re also in the midst of building a client roster, learning systems, updating your website, and doing all the behind-the-scenes tasks that come with running a service-based business.
But like I said, that’s the VERY reason that I created The Boutique Lawyer in the first place. I don’t want you to feel like you have to figure out all the legal things on your own.
Because let’s be real – the legal aspects of business can feel overwhelming, and if we’re being honest, sometimes boring. And when things feel overwhelming or boring for you as a business owner, you’re more likely to just not do them at all!
But as mentioned, if you choose to skip these necessary legal agreements for your VA business, you’ll pay in some form or fashion in the future.
So, let’s just make sure you’re protecting your VA business from day one, shall we?!
With the Virtual Assistant Contract Bundle, you get 3 must-have legal agreements specifically designed for VA’s, including:
- A Virtual Assistant Agreement to outline every client partnership with clarity and confidence
- A Website Privacy Policy to meet data compliance laws and protect your visitors
- A Website Terms of Use template to safeguard your site content and operations
Everything is professionally written, easy to customize, and created with online business owners in mind, so you can feel confident knowing your business is covered. 🙌🏼
Remember, the point of starting your VA business in the first place is to have more freedom – NOT more stress! These legal agreements will help you move through your business with confidence, knowing you’ve covered your bases and set yourself up for long-term success.
* * *
If you like what you just read and want more cool lawyer things in your life, here’s a few ways to stay connected:
Let’s be pen pals! Subscribe to my email list to receive all of my best biz tips and behind the scenes goodies to keep your business bringing in sales (legally of course).
Binge the blog to get all of the legal information you need about running a business in a way that actually makes sense to your non-legal brain.
Come hang with me on the ‘gram! I often do AMA’s on stories, so you can submit your specific questions when they come up.
And if you’re in need of legal resources that you can ACTUALLY understand? Here’s a few ways I can help:
Step into TBL’s free library of legal resources for creative entrepreneurs where we throw open the doors and spill the tea on what works and what doesn't when it comes to legal protection, systems and sales.
Browse the contract template shop to find what’s missing in your biz and easily implement it with a plug and play template!
Need something else? Send me a DM! Always happy to lend a legal hand when I can.