Even without incorporating, a written document with some semblance of ownership can be helpful. Before I split my company out from my sole proprietorship my co-

Even without incorporating, a written document with some semblance of ownership can be helpful. Before I split my company out from my sole proprietorship my co-founder and I agreed by email to an ownership split. Having something out there that says you've both agreed to some split, even in your own words, is super helpful to protect your interests when investors show up. Their lawyers will want that gone, and replaced with something more formal. To do that they'll need you to agree to a new formal relationship, and for you to agree you'll need to be happy with what they're offering. I'm not a lawyer, this isn't legal advice. Just observations from my own experience.