The passing of family heirlooms from one generation to another should be a welcome tradition in most families, but unfortunately, this process can cause long-lasting family rifts if not done properly. There are many stories of families that have split over a silver tea service or a portrait of a long-dead ancestor. In fact, you…
How to Avoid Legal Business Risks While there is no such thing as a business with no risk, most savvy business owners look for ways to mitigate risk as much as possible. Being aware of these three legal risks will create an understanding of the future of your business. Trusting a verbal or handshake agreement….
The Benefits of an Estate Plan Many parents believe that by adding a child’s name to a property deed, they can pass along the property outside of probate. Unfortunately, those who act on that belief often find they have invited more problems than they have avoided. This is because, in many states, when more than…
How to Prepare Your Children’s’ Life As a Single Parent If you are a single parent, life for you right now probably couldn’t get any busier. You are likely being pulled between work, school activities, sports teams and the inevitable emergencies that fill the lives of single parents everywhere. Being a single parent is a…
When To Hire a Personal Lawyer: Every business owner at one time or another needs legal advice. While it may be tempting to turn to the Internet for your legal needs, there are three important instances when you will want to have a lawyer on a payroll. Entity Formation When you are ready to start…
Planning for Leaving Your Legacy Behind The assets you leave to your loved ones can either be a source of relief or, sometimes, a source of panic if they don’t know how to manage those assets. Unless properly prepared, your loved ones may not know how to deal with sudden wealth. Even just fifty thousand…
How to Keep Your Digital Life Thriving If you’re like most Americans, you have a rich digital life. You may bank online, invest online and certainly interact socially online. But where do those assets go after you go? And how will your loved ones get access to them, if you haven’t left behind specific instructions…
A recent Inc. article authored by entrepreneur Kevin Daum brought to light one of the most prevalent questions asked by business owners: “How can I avoid being sued?” Although it may seen counterintuitive at first glance, the job of a Creative Business Lawyer™ is to help clients avoid litigation, so one of the best (and…
Asset protection is not something most people think too deeply about. Most of us are busy trying to accumulate assets to give considered thought to consider the importance of protecting what we have. A recent article on The Motley Fool investment website notes that there are a number of things that can harm an investor…
Estate Planning – The Proper Way Downton Abbey – the PBS drama about the fortunes and misfortunes of an aristocratic British family in the early 20th century that has taken American audiences by storm – gets most of its gripping plot twists as the result of a number of bad estate planning moves. For example:…
When you hear the name “Oprah,” you think of one person. Not only because the name itself is so unique, but also because billionaire entrepreneur and media mogul Oprah Winfrey has done such an outstanding job of protecting and promoting her brand. Oprah Winfrey’s Legal Strategies to Follow A recent article at Entrepreneur.com examined the…
Contrary to popular belief, estate planning is not just about money or taxes. Far from it. Today, it’s more about protecting your assets for yourself and your loved ones, achieving your financial goals and safeguarding your health care. Money and taxes aside, here are 7 good reasons you need an estate plan: What to Consider…
One of the biggest risks small business owners take is not properly protecting their personal assets from business liabilities or judgments. In a recent Entrepreneur.com article, Mark Kohler, author of The Tax & Legal Playbook, offered these 8 asset protection strategies for business owners: The Strategies to Protect Your Business Choose the right business structure….
It’s pretty amazing to think of all the things we do online today that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago. But just because you can do something online doesn’t necessarily mean you should. And that certainly applies to fulfilling your company’s legal needs. Here’s What To Look Out For Here are three…
Absolutely! What’s the Catch? Piercing the Corporate Veil: In certain situations, courts can ignore the limited liability status of a company or LLC and hold its officers, directors, and shareholders or members personally liable for its debts. When this happens, it is called piercing the corporate veil. Unfortunately, many people get bad advice. Too often, we receive calls from…
Is Your Living Trust Really Going to Work For the People You Love? Traditionally, one of the primary reasons for establishing a living trust has been to avoid probate. But there are a few more benefits of a living trust that can help you do much more than that if it’s set up right: Asset…
If you are starting a new company or have an unincorporated entity that has grown to the point where protection of your personal assets may be desired, the selection of the proper business entity can be critical to the future success of your business. There are 10 essential questions you need to ask as part…
While many people consider email to be an informal way of communicating, courts have generally held that emails can be considered enforceable contracts even if the intended purpose was for casual negotiation. The Reality of Email Communication In emails or in correspondence, anyone seeking to make an agreement should do the following: If you are…
Estate planning is an ongoing process, and plans should be reviewed with a qualified estate planning attorney every few years to ensure that the goals you set in making your plan are still valid. Successful Estate Planning When reviewing your estate plan, keep these things in mind: Do You Own Your Assets Properly? There is…
Before you consider in a new startup, you should understand that there is quite some distance between a great idea and a great company. As part of your due diligence, perform these reality checks before you spend your savings on starting something new: What to Consider Before Starting Your Business Are you ready for the…
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