Estate planning seems so simple. It can be deceptive, though. Here are ten mistakes people commonly make that can cause chaos for your family later. These are not in any particular order of importance. Mistake #1: Believing Your Estate Is Too Small. Estate planning does not depend on how much you have. It is about…
Are you a business owner? Do you have employees? Do you have an Employee Handbook? If you answered yes to the first two questions, but don’t have an Employee Handbook you should read my latest blog post on whether your business needs a Handbook. There is no law requiring employers to have an employee handbook,…
1. Not Having Your Handbook Reviewed by a Lawyer You’re smart. You know your business. You may even be a lawyer. But as the saying goes, “A doctor is his own worse patient,” so get objective eyes to take a look at your employee handbook. It is very easy for people to misunderstand or misinterpret…
So, you have decided to start a new business. The following is a general checklist of steps to take to set-up your business. Depending on the particular type of business, additional steps may be required. 1. Prepare a Written Business Plan. Define the type of product and/or service you plan to provide. Set forth the…
” A verbal contract isn’t worth the paper it’s printed on.” — Sam Goldwyn Often clients tell us that they have reached a deal, shaken hands, and are ready to do business with a business associate. While this may have been acceptable back when our grandfathers were in business, society has grown too large and…
Whether you are a business owner or not, now that the fear of falling over the fiscal cliff has been eliminated, its time to focus on your future. What are the legal issues that you might want to address in 2013? Below is a suggestion of five things to consider looking at this year: 1….
The rules which apply to whether or not you have to pay your employees for whether related absences depends on whether they are considered exempt or non-exempt employees. Most employees are considered non-exempt under the federal Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and are covered by the FLSA’s minimum wage and overtime pay provisions. Non-exempt employees generally…
No business owner enjoys litigation, and for good reason. The high costs of litigation, in terms of money and time, can take quite a toll on the health of a business and its owner. When you own a business, lawsuits are sometimes inevitable. However, there are some preventive measures and techniques that all business owners,…
Are you thinking of selling your business? Beyond determining an acceptable selling price, there are quite a few legal issues that need to be considered. The first issue that you should consider is whether to sell the assets of the business (both tangible and intangible) or the shares of the corporation (if incorporated) that operates…
I have just become aware of a new scam targeting attorneys, which would also be “effective” against any company issuing checks. Please read the article below so that you do not become the next victim. The scam is very simple and involves the use of the technology that allows for the deposit of checks remotely…
While e-mail has greatly increased the potential for better business communication and information access, it has its downside. Few employers have yet to fully appreciate the extent to which company e-mail increases their potential liability and few have taken steps to reduce the risk. E-mail’s “oral-like” feel is deceptively dangerous, since employers and employees may…
As the new year begins, New York State is imposing a hefty new obligation on virtually all employers. As a result of the Wage Theft Prevention Act enacted last year, all private sector employers in New York must give each of their employees an annual written notice known as a “Notice of Pay Rate and…
