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If you have started to save for your child or grandchild's college education, it's worth considering whether to use a 529 plan, an education savings account, or an irrevocable trust.  Last week we discussed 529 plans and education savings accounts, which are both popular options for saving for c...

Using independent contractors (ICs) can give your company an edge in today's thriving gig economy, but if you are not careful, contractors can also be a serious liability. In fact, working with ICs comes with a number of unique legal and financial risks that can be potentially ruinous to your bus...

If you have started to save for your child or grandchild's college education, it's worth considering whether to use a 529 plan, an education savings account, or an Irrevocable Trust.  Here's what we think you should consider as you decide:  First, consider whether you want your offspring to hav...

When you run your own business, oftentimes one of the most confusing aspects of the job, especially if you are new to the experience, is understanding how to separate yourself from your business. And this issue can show up in so many ways, from achieving a work/life balance and managing your time...

In August, President Biden, Vice President Harris, and the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) announced a three-part plan to help low and middle-income families deal with the increasingly burdensome cost of paying for college, while also making the student loan system more efficient and easier fo...

If you dream of one day leaving your company to your family, but you haven't properly included your business in your estate plan, that dream could become a nightmare for your heirs—and for your partners, team members, and clients, too. In fact, properly planning for what would happen to your busi...

Despite the fact that it happens to every single one of us and is as every bit as natural as birth, very few among us are properly prepared for death—whether our own death or the death of a loved one.  Yet the pandemic might be changing this. According to Census figures, the pandemic caused the...

Although it's the likely most boring part of your website, having a well-thought-out Terms of Use page for your company's website is a smart move. Your Terms of Use page sets the rules for your company's website, and going without one opens your business up to a number of unnecessary risks. Also...

Despite the fact that it happens to every single one of us and is as every bit as natural as birth, very few among us are properly prepared for death—whether our own death or the death of a loved one.  Yet the pandemic might be changing this. According to Census figures, the pandemic caused the...

There are numerous advantages to running your own business: being your own boss, setting your own hours, getting to decide who you work with and what you work on. However, business ownership can also be one of the most stressful endeavors you'll ever undertake in your life. While running your ow...

With divorce occurring in roughly 50% of all marriages in the U.S. and life expectancy increasing every day, second—and even third—marriages are becoming quite common. And when people get remarried in mid-life and beyond, they often bring children from prior marriages into the mix. Such unions ar...

Regardless of the industry you are in, the reality of being a business owner is that you open yourself up to a number of unique risks that most people don't have to worry about—and the more successful your business is, the more risks you face.  Unfortunately, most business owners aren't fully aw...

When creating an estate plan, people are often most concerned with passing on the “big things” like real estate, bank accounts, and vehicles. Yet these possessions very often aren't the items that have the most meaning for the loved ones we leave behind. Smaller items, like family heirlooms and ...

Do you feel obligated to check work emails, texts, and voicemails at all hours? Do you often work evenings, weekends, and holidays, even after you promised yourself you wouldn't? Do you feel pressured to say yes to pushy clients because it's easier than saying no? Do you feel resentful of clie...

If you're looking to collect life insurance proceeds as the policy's beneficiary, the process is fairly simple. However, during the emotional period immediately following a loved one's death, it can feel as if your entire world is falling apart, so it's helpful to understand exactly what steps yo...

If you are thinking of starting a business, you'll find all sorts of advice about how to go about getting your new venture off the ground. Indeed, there are entire websites devoted to the topic. Yet, with so much information out there, it's hard to know what you should heed and what you can ignor...

These days, more and more young people are delaying—if not totally foregoing—a life that involves marriage and parenting. The lack of jobs, crushing student debt, multiple recessions, and the pandemic have pushed many young people into a life path that leaves little room for settling down with a ...

If you are thinking about hiring a lawyer to help with your business, you may be wondering why you should work with us, rather than a “traditional” business lawyer. What makes us so different from other lawyers?Last week, in part one of this series, we discussed what it's like to work with most o...

The road to retirement is a long one, and as with any journey, it helps to have a few key milestones along the way to help gauge your progress. While your individual retirement plan and goals will be unique to your income, family situation, and desired lifestyle, most Americans share a number of ...

If you are thinking about hiring a lawyer to help with your business, you may be wondering why you should work with us? What makes us so different from other lawyers? The best way to explain how our family business firm is different requires an explanation of what it's like to work with most bus...

Many parents will soon see their children leave home to attend college or pursue other life goals. This can be an exciting and emotional time, and with so much going on, estate planning probably isn't at the front of your (or their) mind right now.     However, estate planning should actually be...

Few business owners are legal experts. Yet many act like they are veteran attorneys when it comes to their legal agreements by thinking they can simply wing it and create their own contracts or rely on cheap, fill-in-the-blank legal forms they purchase for cheap online. However, this is playing ...

If a family member or friend has asked you to serve as trustee for their trust either during their life, or upon their death, it's a big honor—this means they consider you among the most honest, reliable, and responsible people they know. That said, serving as a trustee is not only a great honor...

As a business owner, it's inevitable that you will face minor conflicts and disputes at some point. Whether it's a client who refuses to pay a bill, an independent contractor who fails to fulfill the terms of their agreement, or a vendor who stiffs you on an order, dealing with such issues is a s...

In the wake of the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade, ending the recognition of a constitutional right to abortion, many are worried that other rights, especially those enjoyed by same-gender couples, might also be under threat.  In fact, with Roe overturned, legal experts warn that the Supr...