There is a difference between being an “Advocate” and “practicing law”. Good Advocates do not cross the line. Advocates are individuals who work on behalf of another person. People in need of advocates generally are those who would have difficulty trying to maneuver within a complex, structured system. Examples of systems or situations that would require advocacy would be the …
Understanding Contracts: Contractor and Subcontractor in a Construction Context
Contracting and subcontracting can exist in many arenas, but one of the most common is in construction. If you have ever watched a home renovation show or gone through the excitement of having your own home or business renovated, you have probably heard the terms contractor and subcontractor used. The question is, what is the difference and how much do …
Employment Contracts: Why They Are Important and How You Can Use Them to Protect Your Business.
Hiring new employees is a difficult process. You have to be sure they are properly suited for their position and have a personality and temperament which will suit the work environment you have spent time and effort putting together. This coupled with negotiating benefits, salary, and slotting in time for training in an already busy schedule can seem overwhelming and …
What is “Ex Parte” Communication?
What does ‘Ex Parte’ Mean and How is it Applied in a Legal Context? Ex parte is one of those annoying Latin phrases lawyers still use, but the common translation is basically ‘one sided’, or ‘for one side’. Ex parte communication is when one party to a case communicates to the court without informing the other party, depriving them of …
Can My Business Re-Negotiate Its Contracts with Vendors and Our Landlord in Light of the COVID-19 Pandemic?
In today’s COVID environment, businesses are being told to close their doors and send employees homes. As such, many business owners are struggling to earn enough revenue to be able to meet their contractual obligations to their vendors, landlords and banks, let alone make payroll. With financial disaster looming for so many businesses, do standard contracts, loan documents or leases …
Are Handshake Deals Enforceable?
There is a common misperception that written contracts are required for any agreement to be enforceable. While it is almost always preferable to have a written contract, hopefully crafted by an attorney with an understanding of the issues related to the specific type of agreement contemplated, all is not necessarily lost if you do not. There are some types of …
When Your Client Won’t Pay- How to Collect on a Debt
There are many things a business owner can do from the get-go to improve their chances of a favorable outcome in the debt collection process. The most important tip is to start out on the right foot. Get a contract before you start work for any client- regardless of how small the transaction may be. Now when I say, get …
Adverse Possession
When I purchased my home, my neighbor’s hot tub was situated on my property line. I went ahead and closed on the purchase of my home (20 years ago) with the hot tub sitting on my property and forgot about it. I am now concerned that when the time comes that I want to sell my house, or my neighbor …
Promissory Notes
Promissory notes can be helpful in so many different situations, but what exactly are they and what do you need to look our for when dealing with them? In it’s simplest terms, a promissory note is an IOU. It includes the terms of the agreement, specifically the amount owed, how and when it is to be repaid, and default terms. If you’ve ever …
Terminating Leases Early
Common questions that arise when clients inherit or purchase rental properties/commercial real estate often center around the leases associated with the property. I came across one such question the other day that had to do with a client who had inherited an apartment complex and wanted to terminate the leases as quickly as possible in order to sell the property …
