Blog

Protecting your t-shirt company's intellectual property might seem like an abstract or obscure consideration right now; as the owner of a startup, your main concern is keeping the profits coming in. This blog, however, will explain why you need to prioritize trademark AND copyright protection for...

You may be surprised to learn that not only has asset protection planning been around for a long time, but you likely have already engaged in it at some point during your life. In fact, you probably currently have one or more types of traditional asset protection planning in place. The problem is...

Real estate is more than just your primary residence. It can include other real properties such as a vacation home or a rental property. Depending upon the type of real estate you own, the ideal form of ownership can vary. Below, we take a look at the different types of real estate and make sugge...

Legally binding contracts where a great amount of money is at stake are not simply reserved for Fortune 500 companies and billionaires. If you plan to make a living as a musician or recording artist, your livelihood will largely depend on the contracts you sign and how well you've negotiated thei...

The decision to close a business is not to be taken lightly. Although most business owners hope that the process of closing their business will be quick and easy, that is often not the case. Business closures involve complex procedures that require time, energy, and organization. Failure to caref...

Business owners often find it necessary or desirable to keep valuable and sensitive information private. In some instances, a business may have developed certain key elements that help distinguish it from its competitors. In other instances, a business owner may handle sensitive information that ...

The answer to the question posed by this post's title is an unequivocal, “yes.” The simple explanation for this is that it grants you a significant amount of legal protection for your copyrighted material. This blog will expand on that statement and explain why it is worth it for creatives to fil...

Entrepreneurship has been called the new American dream. Hanging a shingle starts with an idea that develops into a business plan, but not without careful financial and legal considerations. Among the decisions that new business owners grapple with is whether to form a limited liability company t...

Estate planning for married couples can be tricky when one spouse is significantly wealthier than the other, and each spouse wants different beneficiaries to ultimately inherit their estate. One solution to this problem is the Lifetime QTIP Trust. What Is a Lifetime QTIP Trust? One traditional es...

One of the first decisions to make when starting a business is what type of business entity to form. The limited liability company (LLC) is one of the most popular business structures because it offers a level of flexibility and legal protection that is attractive to many people who are starting ...

When it comes to returning to school in the fall, the details may still be unknown. Will students be attending classes in person, or will classes continue to be online? Will college students be allowed on campus, or will they be bunking with mom and dad for the fall semester? One thing is certain...

Against the backdrop of globalization and the expansion of online business activity, trademark infringement is on the rise. Most elements of business branding –name, logo, design, and more – are readily available online, making it easier for people to knowingly or unknowingly use the intellectual...

Despite the challenges facing many businesses, some companies are still experiencing growth. If your business is expanding, you may find that it is time for you to make your first hire. As you begin this process, it is critical to note that expansion, while providing a great opportunity to increa...

A common misconception is that only wealthy families and people in high risk professions need to have an asset protection plan. But in reality, anyone can be sued. A car accident, foreclosure, unpaid medical bills, or an injured tenant can result in a monetary judgment that will decimate your fin...

As state leaders attempt to develop guidelines for reopening safely, you may have questions about the requirements for maintaining a safe environment for your business. Specifically, you may be wondering how to document the steps you have taken if someone in your workforce is exposed to COVID-19 ...

If you think you only need to create discretionary lifetime trusts for young, troubled, or financially inexperienced beneficiaries, then think again. In this day and age of frivolous lawsuits and high divorce rates, discretionary lifetime trusts should be considered for all of your beneficiaries,...

Many people believe that once they set up a Revocable Living Trust and transfer assets into the trust, those assets are protected from lawsuits. This is absolutely not true. While Trusts commonly provide asset protection for beneficiaries, few trusts protect assets owned by the person who created...

Although leaving your hard-earned assets outright to your children, grandchildren, or other beneficiaries after you pass on may seem like the easiest and most desired form of distribution, this scheme will make their inheritance easy prey for creditors, predators, and divorcing spouses. Instead, ...

Today, many people are using a revocable living trust instead of a will or joint ownership as the foundation of their estate plan. When properly prepared, a living trust avoids the public, costly and time-consuming court processes of guardianship (due to incapacity) or probate (after death). Stil...

After a loved one dies, their money and property must be distributed to the right people, either according to their will or the state's default distribution scheme (found in its “intestacy” statute). While most people want the settlement process to be done as soon as possible, probate can take be...

Going into business for yourself is a risky endeavor. From investing in goods and services and hiring employees to simply carrying out the daily tasks related to your business, each step is fraught with risks. This is especially true given the litigious nature of our society. As a result, many en...

Contracts are an essential component of effective business management and development. Savvy business owners recognize the value of contracts but often explore ways to reduce the cost of obtaining them. In some instances, business owners attempt to create their own contracts by using templates av...

On June 5, 2020, President Trump signed the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act (the Flexibility Act) into law, after lawmakers passed it almost unanimously. The original Payment Protection Program (PPP) – a key component of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act signed in...

For many people, a revocable living trust is a valuable tool to ensure that their finances are well managed during periods of incapacity and that their loved ones are financially secure upon their passing. However, signing the trust agreement doesn't end the estate planning process: To work prope...

Many small business owners contend with collecting, reporting, and paying sales tax. Although there is currently no federal sales tax, 45 states, and many localities, as well as the District of Columbia, have a sales tax. Different taxing authorities have their own regulations, tax rates, exempti...