Most will give you a free consultation to begin with.

A lot of state bar associations (professional org for lawyers) will have a list of attorneys who will give you free/cheap 30 minute consultations. Googling "[my state] bar association lawyer referral" will usually get you in the right place. Here's an example from Texas, where you can get a 30 minute consultation for no more than $20.

Some policy questions I would work out beforehand (talking to that restaurant is a good idea, and a lawyer may have ideas, too):

• How will the business be managed? Do you need 100% consensus for every decision, no matter how small? Do you elect a manager each year who has all decision making power for that year? Something in between?
• How do you bring new workers into the fold? Say you and your husband have worked at this business for 10 years. Does the new worker get a full one-third split on Day 1? Does their share increase over time? If you get a fourth worker, who you might be less sure will work out fine, how do they get from not working there at all to an equal share?
• How do you handle part-time workers or contractors? Or workers who contribute different amounts?
• What happens to a worker's share of the business if they leave? What if they pass away?
• What happens if someone stops contributing, or contributes a lot less? This is a common problem in partnerships.
• How do you fire someone?
• How do you measure work and performance in general? Think of all the administrative and business development labor needed, not just the core product/service you're offering.

It's a lot to mull over, but doing that work now could save you a blowup down the line.

I'm not looking for legal advice from strangers, I'm looking for a better understanding of the jargon so I am more able to do research on my own. But thank you for your concern 😊