The following rules are what I consider when helping clients determine what legal form of business to create. After over 22 years as a business lawyer, I realized long ago that there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. I also realized there can be […]
Holding company and operating company. One of the many reasons for owning a “company” of some sort is corporate asset protection. Not only can company structures shield an owner’s personal assets from tort, contract or government levy, but one company can be used to protect […]
Your corporation is required by statute to have a board of directors. But why, and what do they do? Find out in this quick video.
Friends and family loans can be great resources to help your business start and grow. But there are the obvious pitfalls of dealing with family when it comes to money and your business. The main thing I advise my clients on when taking money for […]
Online legal documents. On Facebook this morning I saw a picture of a coffee mug that said, “Please do not confuse your Google search with my medical degree”. My first thought was “same, but ‘law degree’” The internet has given the appearance of making complex […]
Last week I wrote about business asset protection through the use of a holding company (here: LINK). In addition to the purely legal aspects of asset protection, a business owner should consider the cost/benefit to using this structure before implementing such a strategy. It might […]
Terms of service for your commercial web site – they’re not important, right? Just go ahead and copy someone else’s, change the name at the top, and your business will be fine. Don’t even read them. Bury them in a link at the bottom of […]
Do I need a business lawyer? Not every business transaction needs a business lawyer. You know that. When one business sells materials to another pursuant to a purchase order, that’s a legally binding transaction, but the parties can’t possibly need or want a lawyer every […]
North Carolina just passed its crowdfunding statute, and is currently drafting regulations to implement it. The “Providing Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs and Small Business” Act – PACES – is a N.C. law that allows N.C. businesses to raise capital from N.C. investors. If you […]
Business Succession Planning Business succession planning is important for business owners as you and your business mature. It can mean doing nothing – disasterous – working with your family and estate lawyer to transfer ownership to a family member on your death; or coming to […]