Do you collect, store and use client and prospect data as part of your business? If so, you must know and follow the rules to keep your business safe from an expensive, unnecessary lawsuit. Be Aware of Data Breach Data breaches involving retailers and Internet services are common these days. Naturally, litigation has followed. Breaches…
A short while ago, civil rights for those who identified as lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, or transgender were effectively non-existent. However, there has been a recent flurry of activity in this area. The United States Supreme Court ruled that a person can legally marry someone of the same sex. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission determined that…
If it’s important to you that your children attend college, the time to start saving is now, no matter how young or old they are; the question for you to ask is where to place your savings. How to Successfully Save for Your Child’s College Education If you start saving early in your child’s life,…
The United States Supreme Court’s recent decision in King v. Burwell clears up a final lingering question surrounding the Affordable Care Act. Issued June 25, 2015, the decision upheld the tax credits that are intended to make health insurance affordable for millions of Americans. The credits are available to those whose employers do not provide…
Choosing the Right Life Insurance Policy Life insurance products can be complicated, and because they often come with high commissions for the people selling them, it can be hard to know what to buy and who to trust when you are making that decision. The place to start is to think about whether and why…
Be Prepared for Litigation In our world of electronic communication, your business needs to be prepared to handle the major risk of litigation. You could be responsible to produce records, reports, and data from your computer network and systems. As a result, electronic discovery could cost your business tens or even hundreds of thousands of…
The Family and Medical Leave Act may provide unpaid time off due to the serious health condition of an employee or an employee’s immediate family member. However, only certain employers, known as “covered employers,” are required to comply with this law. Additionally, employees must meet certain basic requirements before they are entitled to the leave….
Most business owners are savvy enough to know that a contract is an enforceable agreement between two or more people or entities. However, you may or may not realize the fundamental elements of a valid contract. Understanding the basic components of a legally valid contract can be very helpful in conducting daily business activities so…
In June, the United States Supreme Court issued its decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, a highly publicized case upholding the rights of same-sex couples to marry. This decision has widespread implications in various areas, many of which have not been anticipated in mainstream media coverage. Background on Same-Sex Legality Most of the plaintiffs were same-sex…
So you’ve decided to start a business. It’s a very exciting time, but fraught with many decisions. One of the first, which can impact everything from taxation to liability, is the choice of a business entity. Should you opt for a traditional sole proprietorship, a partnership, a corporation, or an alternate business entity? Today we…
Most everyone needs a trust, and most folks don’t know it. Why You Need Trust A trust will save you thousands and thousands of dollars. But what is it? A trust is a legal creation set up to benefit someone or something. For example, some people set up trusts to benefit their children, their grandchildren,…
Ride sharing companies like Uber and Lyft have been front and center in recent media stories and court decisions. All across the country, drivers have brought lawsuits arguing that they are employees of these companies, rather than independent contractors. If you own a business and think these stories have no relevance to you, think again….
The Top Three If you own your home or you’ve been renting so long that this information is old hat to you, consider sharing the details with a young adult or almost adult in your family who would benefit from this knowledge. One of the best ways to pass on your family wealth is to…
If you are involved in a lawsuit, the thought of going to trial may be intimidating. Many people have never been in a courtroom, so they envision a large, formal room with wooden trim, an overbearing judge in a long, black robe, and a jury that appears condemning. Most lawsuits, however, never go to trial….
Dear Friends, It’s holiday season when travel is the busiest and careful planning is necessary to nab the best airfare or book that awesome hotel before it slips away. One thing that is probably not on your holiday travel to-do list is estate planning, but it should be so you can travel with peace of…
According to the U.S. Small Business Association, small businesses create almost two of every three jobs in the U.S. every year, and half of working Americans are either owners or employees of a small business. Asset Protection Guidelines The SBA advises entrepreneurs to seek counsel while in the initial phases of getting a business off…
The Home Sale Closing Process A home sale closing is the end of the process of buying a home. It is the point at which the seller gets paid and the buyer receives title to the property. In addition to the seller and buyer, the parties present at a closing are usually the following: the…
After a major class action settlement earlier this year, business owners may no longer think first about pizza when they hear the name “Chuck E. Cheese’s.” CEC Entertainment, the formal name of the pizza and entertainment chain, paid $1.75 million to settle a class action lawsuit challenging its use of background checks in hiring. What…
Have you ever slammed on the brakes of your car to avoid a crash? If so, odds are that you were using automated vehicle technology. Major auto manufacturers are racing to develop self-driving car capability, but will we see that technology soon? How will this cutting-edge technology affect you? What Is a Self-Driving Car? Let’s…
How Can Wearable Technology Affect Your Life? Recent headlines have been replete with data breach stories in the last few years. The number of companies and government agencies that have had their systems hacked is staggering. Names, addresses, Social Security numbers, credit card numbers, and other personal information have all been stolen by hackers from…
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