Santa Barbara County - Schneiders & Associates

Starting and running a successful business, purchasing or selling real estate, establishing an estate plan to create a legacy for your family; these and other matters are some of the most important topics you may deal with in your life. And each one of them carries significant legal implications.

The simple fact is that you need seasoned counsel to guide you through the above and related issues. If you live in Santa Barbara County, you deserve a law firm that understands how unique local considerations will affect your legal matter. Count on Schneiders & Associates to guide you.

Business Law and Litigation

Whether you are starting or winding down a business, wanting to ensure that you comply with ongoing legal or regulatory matters, or wish to expand into new geographic territories or industries, our firm has you covered. We can specifically advise you on how Santa Barbara County rules may impact the creation, operation, or cessation of your business. These are only a few of the matters that our business lawyers regularly assist clients with:

Business formation: We can help you decide which legal entity (e.g. corporation versus limited liability company) is best for you in terms of liability, taxes, and positioning your business for future growth.
Contracts: You need strong written agreements to govern your relationships with your employees, business partners, and third parties such as suppliers.
Litigation: In the event your business is sued or needs to file a lawsuit against someone else, we’re prepared to litigate in such areas as breach of contract, partnership and shareholder disputes, employment law matters, intellectual property infringement, and more.
Alternative dispute resolution: Many lawsuits and disagreements can be effectively resolved through mediation, arbitration, and out-of-court negotiations.
Buying and selling a business: If you want to purchase a business (or an interest in one) or sell your company, we can handle everything from due diligence to negotiating the purchase price.
Business succession planning: This is a critical step to ensure the continued operation of your company in the event you or another owner retire, fall seriously ill, or pass away.
Non-profit and tax-exempt organizations: We understand the special legal dynamics associated with non-profit and tax-exempt entities, and we are prepared to fully represent your organization.

Estate Planning

If you have heirs or family members who reside in Santa Barbara County, have you considered what will happen to them in the event you pass away? Do you wish to preserve more of your family’s assets and shield them from excessive taxes? Our estate planning services can assist with the following, and more:

Last will and testament: A will is the cornerstone of any comprehensive estate plan and dictates how assets are to be distributed to heirs, who is to serve as the executor, and who should be the guardian of any minor children if the parents die.
Trusts: A trust is an arrangement that holds and manages assets on behalf of beneficiaries, and it can be used to reduce estate taxes, avoid the costly probate process, and keep estate assets private.
Special trusts: You can customize trusts to manage specific legal needs, such as gun ownership and transfers and the caring of a beloved pet if you become incapacitated or die.
Durable power of attorney: This legal instrument allows an individual to delegate authority to someone who can handle their personal and financial affairs, especially in the event of incapacitation.
Advance health care directives: Among these are medical powers of attorney and living wills, both of which allow a person to dictate their medical preferences and delegate to someone else the power to make healthcare decisions on their behalf if they are unable to do so.
Retirement and pension plan beneficiary designations: You can name beneficiaries who will receive retirement and pension benefits after you die, and we can help ensure this process is done correctly.

Employment Law

Employers in Santa Barbara County must understand both their rights and obligations as they pertain to their relationships with their employees. Schneiders & Associates’ employment law team is able to serve employers in the following (and other) areas:

Compliance with wage and hour laws: The current minimum wage in Santa Barbara and the rest of California (some municipalities have their own, higher rates) is $16.50/hour. We will help you understand how the minimum wage works, along with various wage and hour rules such as overtime pay and recordkeeping.
Compliance with other employment laws: A multitude of laws protect employees from discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, denial of reasonable accommodations, retaliation, and more. We will review your operation to ensure you are following the law.
Workplace policies and procedures: Adopting comprehensive policies and procedures will help minimize the risk of litigation and ensure your managers and employees know and apply the complex patchwork of state and federal employment laws.
Employment contracts: When you use well-drafted employment contracts, you reduce the likelihood that an employee will misunderstand their rights, obligations, and benefits. This can protect your business from unnecessary litigation.
Litigation and dispute resolution: If your business is named in an employment lawsuit, we are prepared to defend you right away. Whether in the courtroom or through alternative dispute resolution, let us advocate for you.

Real Estate

Santa Barbara commercial and residential real estate remains highly coveted among individuals and industries. However, you must take into consideration local zoning, land use, permitting, and other rules if you desire to purchase, sell, use, or develop your property. Our firm’s real estate group can assist with the following, among many other matters:

Real estate transactions: Whether buying or selling a piece of commercial or residential property, you need dedicated counsel at each stage, from making the initial offer to closing on the deal.
Contract drafting: Contract law controls much of real estate, so let us negotiate and draft effective and advantageous terms.
Leasing: If you are a residential or commercial landlord or tenant, we can review and negotiate lease agreements and explain your obligations and rights under them.
Easements, rights-of-way, and boundaries: Property access and use are subject to these and other restrictions which you should understand to fully enjoy your property.
Land use and zoning: Before you can open a business or add on to your property, know how land use and zoning rules will impose limitations on your project.
Development, construction, and permitting: Our firm helps developers attain the necessary permits to initiate and complete their valuable construction projects.
Litigation: We represent commercial and residential real estate parties in lawsuits, including through alternative dispute resolution.

Contact Our Santa Barbara County Attorneys

We also offer an array of other legal services while serving the needs of the Spanish-speaking community. It’s part of our commitment to being a full-service law firm for businesses, families, and individuals throughout Santa Barbara. Learn more by contacting Schneiders & Associates today.