How a Lawyer Can Help in Commercial Leases
Commercial leases in California set the framework for the relationship between landlords and tenants, impacting everything from the day-to-day operations of a business to long-term growth. These agreements address critical details like rent, property maintenance, and tenant improvements. The terms are often complex, and how they’re structured can significantly affect the future...
When Should I Amend an Existing Trust?
As life evolves, so do your financial and family circumstances. Events like the birth of a child, acquiring new assets, or changes in relationships can impact the plans you’ve set for the future. While trusts are meant to provide security and clarity, they should be reviewed and updated when significant shifts occur....
Irrevocable vs. Revocable Trusts in California: Which Is Right For You?
Deciding how to manage and protect your assets often comes down to choosing the right trust. In California, irrevocable and revocable trusts are the most popular options, each with unique features. Revocable trusts allow you to make changes as needed, while irrevocable trusts may offer stronger protection from creditors and tax benefits...
Why You Should Make Gifts Well Before the Expiration of the TCJA in 2025 — Preserving Your $14 Million Lifetime Gift and Estate Tax Exemption
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), passed by Congress in 2017, introduced a number of sweeping changes to tax laws, one of the most significant being the substantial increase in the lifetime gift and estate tax exemption. Currently, this exemption allows individuals to transfer significant amounts of wealth—either during their lifetime...
How California’s Proposition 19 Interferes with Gift-Giving of Real Estate from Parents to Children
California’s Proposition 19, which took effect on February 16, 2021, has drastically altered the landscape of real estate inheritance and property transfers within families. For years, California families could pass down homes from parents to children while retaining the same low property tax assessments, allowing heirs to enjoy the benefits of relatively...
Key Considerations When Opening a Brick and Mortar Storefront
To set up a brick-and-mortar storefront in California, you need to take several legal and practical steps that can significantly impact your business's success. From choosing the right business structure to following local regulations, each decision is vital for getting your storefront ready for operation. Understanding California’s specific requirements, like zoning...
The Connelly Case: A Wake-Up Call for Small Business Owners with Buy-Sell Agreements Funded by Life Insurance
Connelly vs. Internal Revenue Service: A Critical Legal Development for Small Business Owners
Small business owners often rely on buy-sell agreements to ensure the smooth transition of ownership upon the death of a partner. These agreements, commonly funded by life insurance, provide a vital safety net, ensuring...
Characteristics (and Red Flags) to Look for When Buying a Business
Purchasing an existing business in California offers entrepreneurs a unique opportunity to enter the market with established operations, customers, and revenue streams. This path can prove less risky than starting from scratch but requires careful consideration and due diligence. Understanding key characteristics to seek – and red flags to avoid –...
Selling a Business: Tips to Prepare for a Seamless Sale
The decision to sell a business in California is one of the most consequential ones an entrepreneur can make. Whether you're looking to retire, pursue new opportunities, or capitalize on your success, the process of selling a business can be complex and emotionally charged.
As experienced business law...
Protect Your New Business with Preventative Legal Planning
Most people are familiar with the idea of “preventative” legal action. The term refers to anticipating legal issues and conflicts and working to prevent them rather than solving them or “winning” them once they occur. Companies can benefit from implementing preventative legal strategies as this approach is often less expensive than litigation,...