Legal Insights

Is Bankruptcy the Right Option For Your Debt Management?

When an individual or business’ debts reach a point where bankruptcy is the only option, it is important to understand the differences and qualifications of the two main debt relief protections: Chapter 7 and Chapter 13. Chapter 7 is a no-asset liquidation debt relief and Chapter 13 is a re-organization of debt relief. Chapter 7—“Straight Bankruptcy” An individual, partnership, corporation, or other business entity is eligible for Chapter 7 bankruptcy relief. See 11 U.S.C. §§ 1...

Software Necessities for Small Law Practices

As a small or solo law practice, you may have put every last dime into getting started—the setup, office, marketing, website, and more—so you may think that you don’t have the money to spend on things like productivity software, document automation, and time management software, among others. But when push comes to shove, your firm will need to follow the data protection laws in your state, the technological requirements brought about by changes to the American Bar Association Model ...

Five Steps to Developing an Effective Law Practice Website

There’s no denying it, having a web presence in 2016 is essential, just as it has been for the past fifteen years. The biggest difference between 2001 and 2016, however, is that creating a website for your law practice is cheap and easy. Why? Increased technology led to faster internet connections, and in turn, cheaper hosting. Improved processing power and technology led to the rise of Content Management Systems (CMS) like WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal, making it easier to create a webs...

Employment Law: Understanding Proper Verifications When Hiring

U.S. immigration laws restrict many non-citizens from being hired by U.S. employers. One of the purposes of these laws is to safeguard the U.S. workforce. Specifically, the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (IRCA) prohibits employers from hiring individuals who are not legally entitled to work in the United States. Therefore, when hiring new employees, employers must be aware of immigration employment verification requirements to ensure they are in compliance with U.S. law and regu...

Top 5 Legal Needs for Franchises

1. Obtaining An Appropriate Business Structure A franchise can be organized in three ways, each of which has advantages and disadvantages: A. Sole proprietorship: A sole proprietorship is the easiest and simplest business structure to set-up. For this reason, it is the most popular option. The sole proprietor registers the business only in his or her name. This gives the business owner the right to all assets but also makes the business owner entirely responsible for all debts and finan...

Top Legal Needs for Construction Companies

1. Drafting, Negotiating, and Reviewing Contracts Construction companies often use standard form contracts because of their simplity and availablity. In recent years, companies have began opting for contracts that are more specific and narrowly tailored to each project. Drafting and negotiating project-specific contracts protects the company more so than standard form contracts because the terms are more tailored to the relevant project. The contract should clearly define responsibilities...

Divorce: Alternative Dispute Resolution Methods

When a couple determines that divorce is the only option, the process does not have to be adversarial, involve protracted litigation, and/or require mounds of paperwork. In recent years, there has been a rise in alternative dispute methods as more couples desire an amicable—or, at least, less contentious—process for divorce. Alternative dispute methods are generally appropriate for couples where the divorce is not contested and the parties are willing listen and compromise with one another....

Workplace Discrimination: What Are Your Rights?

It is illegal for an employer to discriminate against an individual on the basis of race, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability, and other various factors. However, when discrimination occurs in the workplace, employees are often unsure of what, if anything, they can do. Below, we discuss the processes and procedures for addressing discrimination. Internal Complaint Process - The company’s employee handbook should contain information regarding the process for initiating a formal...

Your Basic Rights As a Renter

Most individuals will rent an apartment, condo, or house in their lifetime. If the tenant pays the rent on time each month, and the dwelling is in proper working order, there is rarely conflict between the landlord and tenant. However, for the small percentage of tenants that encounter issues, it is important to know and understand your rights and responsibilities. First, and foremost, a landlord is obligated to provide a safe premise. This requires that the property is up to...

What is the Process for Evicting a Tenant?

A landlord/tenant relationship can become contentious for several reasons. The primary one being non-payment of rent. Other common reasons include disturbances of the peace (loud music, rowdy parties), or illicit/criminal behavior committed by the tenant. In many cases, these issues can be resolved amicably or at least without legal proceedings. When that is not possible, a landlord should understand the proper means to evict a tenant. Documentation Documentation is key. Not having suf...

Local Search for Small Law Firms: 25+ Places to Get Your Firm Listed

As a small firm, getting your name out there can be a monumental task. After our recent article on improving your law firm social media using LinkedIn, Google My Business, Facebook, and more, we would like to introduce you to 25+ places (in addition to Legal Services Link) to submit to and get listed to help potential clients find your firm.While you work to improve search authority by social media, blogging, and writing website content that answers questions potential clients may have, one of...

Key Considerations for a Cohabitation Agreement

For some couples, marriage is not the end goal. Many adults are content with entering into long-term, monogamous relationships as an alternative to marriage. However, if you are living with a partner, have joint assets, and your lifestyle is dependent on joint incomes, then you should consider having a cohabitation agreement. Creating a Cohabitation Agreement A cohabitation agreement is a written contract between two unmarried persons. It is a very specific agreement used t...

Advantages of an LLC or S Corporation for Your Small Business

Small businesses are the backbone of the American economic system. There are many different business types, each of which is has its own separate legal and tax implications. Most small businesses are sole proprietorships by default because it does not require the filing of any paperwork. A sole proprietorship is by definition an unincorporated business that is owned and run by one individual. There is no distinction between the business and the individual owner. Its revenue is filed on the o...

Guide to Social Media Optimization for Law Practices

Very rarely does a new client simply walk into your office because they saw your shingle on the street. In the world we live in, the new “walk-in” client is the one that finds you on the internet. But in a world that is over-saturated with attorneys, how do you make yourself stand out? Social media is a proven way to gain search authority, build website traffic, and ultimately, make your phone ring. Ideally social media integrates with a mobile-friendly website, which is the subject of ano...

Whether you Know it or Not, You Need an Estate Plan

When most people hear the phrase “estate plan,” they assume that it is something that only wealthy people need. That is not the case. An estate plan lays out your wishes in the event you die or become incapacitated, often controlling what happens with your assets, minor children, and medical care, amongst other things. So if you have any interest in seeing that these matters are handled properly and in accordance with your wishes, you need an estate plan.These are the key things to conside...

What Are The Rights of Grandparents When a Couple Divorces?

No one enters into marriage thinking about what will happen when it ends. Unfortunately, the reality is that not all relationships last and when divorcing couples have children, these matters become significantly more complicated.  As a Grandparent, What Rights Do You Have When a Couple Decides To Split And Child Custody Issues Become Complicated? The short answer is that grandparent visitation is state dependent. As a general rule, a grandparent's visitation revolves around the...

Client Retention Strategy 101: Learn Their Business

Clients are the key to a successful law practice, but it is not just about obtaining clients— it is about retaining them. Attorneys tend to focus so much on “getting business” that they tend to not concentrate on how to retain and build that business once it is in the door.  The reason for this is because many attorneys are not “business literate.”  Defining Business Literacy In a recent ABA webinar entitled “Speaking the Language of ...

Clients: How to Effectively Summarize Your Legal Issue

When you have legal needs that require an attorney’s help, the first step to finding the perfect attorney is effectively summarizing your legal issue, so you can explain it to attorneys that you are considering hiring. Identify the Area of Law Involved Whether you intend to find an attorney by getting a referral, using a directory, or posting your job and having attorneys come to you, you first need to identify the area of law that your issue falls into. Some areas of law are easy—DUI is...

How to Find the Perfect Attorney

The process for finding the perfect attorney can be a daunting, frustrating, and time-consuming task. Below are the three primary ways that clients find attorneys and a discussion of each. Get a referral: Your friends and family may have hired an attorney in the past that did a good job for them. If you are comfortable asking them for a referral, you should do so. Just make sure you ask them the proper questions, so you don’t get stuck with an attorney you won’t be ha...

Client Confidentiality and the Digital Age

Attorney-Client Privilege In the legal field today, there is a never-ending stream of confidential, client information being exchanged electronically. Securing client data and information is essential to protecting the data and, ultimately, the relationship with the client. Data storage, whether in physical servers or the cloud, is always a concern in terms of security and the danger of illegal access. Email and privacy As the digital age has come about, there has been leg...