The Importance of Family Governance
Updated: 08.01.22 by Keven Prather
Learn about family governance to assure your wealth legacy lives for future generations
The Many Benefits of Building a Family Brand
Updated: 07.01.22 by Keven Prather
Choosing an Executor for Your Estate
Updated: 05.01.22 by Keven Prather
Here’s an uncomfortable truth you need to accept: Someday – hopefully in the very distant future – you are going to die. The good news: You can make that moment easier on your heirs by taking a few simple steps.
Charitable Giving, the Tax-Wise Way
Updated: 03.01.22 by Keven Prather
Americans—especially the affluent—are some of the most charitable people in the world. * Chances are, you use some of your wealth to support favorite causes or organizations that are important to you.
How Playing the Long Game Could Help Build Wealth and Success
Updated: 03.01.22 by Keven Prather
Many extremely wealthy people have a much better handle than others on a key concept of success: the long game.
View How Playing the Long Game Could Help Build Wealth and Success
The Super Rich’s Three Big Fears – and How They Work to Overcome Them
Updated: 02.01.22 by Keven Prather
View The Super Rich’s Three Big Fears – and How They Work to Overcome Them
Tips For Serving Alcohol Responsibly
Updated: 12.09.21 by Mike Coyne
If you are planning on serving alcohol at your business or office party, here are some planning ideas that can minimize your liability risk.
Maintaining Control, Minimizing Risk & Rewarding Your Best Employees
Updated: 12.09.21 by Keven Prather
For many small to midmarket business owners, few things are more important than main-taining control of the company, minimizing risks, and rewarding the employees who make the company successful. Ownership transfers to the company’s most valuable employees who can do all of these things properly, but there is a caveat.
View Maintaining Control, Minimizing Risk & Rewarding Your Best Employees
Where Transferable Value Comes From
Updated: 10.01.21 by Keven Prather
Creating an effective incentive plan that fits the needs of your team is the best way to ensure your management team stays in place and continues to increase business value after your departure.
Can I Still Test for Marijuana and Not be Liable?
Updated: 09.01.21 by Jo McGuire
Create a Culture of Safety
Updated: 05.01.21 by Eric Knaak
Asset Protection Planning Mistakes
Updated: 12.01.20 by Keven Prather
Asset protection strategies can build a wall around your wealth to stop others from unjustly taking what’s yours.
When the Worst Happens, Are You Really Protected?
Updated: 11.01.20 by Keven Prather
The vast majority of business owners don’t have any type of disability insurance in place to protect themselves.
Refrigeration Regulations are Changing
Updated: 10.01.20 by Helen Walter-Terrinoni
Heat Transfer and Insurance
Updated: 09.01.20 by Tom Kaldunski
Time to Sell Your Life Insurance?
Updated: 08.01.20 by Keven Prather
Life settlements can help life insurance policyholders liberate cash that is currently ties up.
What to do if You’re Over-Insured
Updated: 07.01.20 by Keven Prather
Prepare for a Safe Refrigerant Transition
Updated: 05.01.20 by Stephen Yurek
View Manufacturers, Suppliers Team up for Refrigerant Transition
Not All Residential Air Cleaners are SAFE
Updated: 02.01.20 by
View Discover why not all residential air cleaners are safe here.
Workers’ Comp Insurance: What You Need to Know
Updated: 09.01.19 by Hannah Sullivan
Want to protect yourself and your employees — physically and financially? Here’s what you need to know before buying a worker’s compensation policy.
View What You Need to Know about Worker's Compensation Insurance
Refrigerant Round-up
Updated: 05.01.19 by Todd Washam
Industry Study: Transition to Low GWP Refrigerants Underway
Updated: 05.01.19 by Fact.MR
View Industry Study: Transition to Low GWP Refrigerants Underway
The State of Refrigerants
Updated: 05.01.19 by Danfoss
View Learn more about the state of refrigerants in the HVACR world.
Be Proactive About #MeToo, or Face Consequences
Updated: 11.01.18 by Jeffrey S. Ettenger
Understanding the law is one element of protecting an employer from potential liability, but preparing an action plan to handle workplace harassment is a very critical step in avoiding problems and exposure.
HFC Ruling Update: Changing the Rules of the Game
Updated: 11.01.17 by Howard Weiss
Regardless of the administration’s stance on the environment, if they’re serious about protecting U.S. jobs and U.S. workers, they must appeal this decision.
EPA Advances Climate Goals
Updated: 11.01.16 by Michael Weller & Whit Swift
Understand the Tax Implications of Business Mergers
Updated: 08.01.16 by Daniel J. Thrailkill
Texting and Driving
Updated: 02.01.16 by Joseph Dreesen & Catherine Cano
Risk Management Shouldn’t Be Risky Business
Updated: 06.01.15 by Matthew Stangle
Legal Does Not Mean Safe
Updated: 04.01.15 by Jo McGuire
Choosing the Right Lawyer is Crucial to Success
Updated: 03.01.15 by Pete Grasso
Maximize Your Reach
Updated: 02.01.15 by Daniel J. Thrailkill
Employee or Independent Contractor: Why it Matters
Updated: 01.01.15 by Christopher Boman
Trademark Basics for Small Business Owners
Updated: 04.01.14 by Beniam Biftu
Copyright Basics for Small Business Owners
Updated: 03.01.14 by Beniam Biftu
Trademark Infringement – The Identity Theft of Businesses
Updated: 02.01.14 by Beniam Biftu
View Trademark Infringement – The Identity Theft of Businesses
9 Steps for Reducing Your Exposure to Employee Injury Fraud
Updated: 11.01.13 by Greg Smith
View 9 Steps for Reducing Your Exposure to Employee Injury Fraud
The Legal Liabilities of Electronic Marketing
Updated: 10.01.13 by Christopher Corpus
General Business Liability Insurance
Updated: 08.01.13 by Caron Beesley
If you own, operate or are starting a business, you need general liability insurance. But what does that mean? What protection does it afford? How do you determine your coverage needs? How does it work?
Spotting Legal Land Mines in Your Social Media Campaign
Updated: 05.01.13 by Mike Coyne
Your responsibility extends to third-party contributors such as customers and friends.
View Spotting Legal Land Mines in Your Social Media Campaign
4 Ways To Avoid Discrimination Claims Related to Hiring
Updated: 01.01.13 by Mike Coyne
View 4 Ways To Avoid Discrimination Claims Related to Hiring
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Address Texting-While-Driving Head On
Updated: 07.01.12 by Mike Coyne
This theory of liability applies when employees are acting within the scope of employment or for the benefit of employer.
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Give Your Section 401(k) Plan a Compliance Check
Updated: 05.01.12 by Mike Coyne
10 point checklist will tell you if your plan needs an adjustment according to the IRS's latest 401(k) Fix-It Guide
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Immigration-Law Changes Add To Employer Responsibility
Updated: 04.01.12 by Mike Coyne
Two developments in the immigration law area are causing employers a great deal of concern: the increase in so-called "I-9 Audits” and the Social Security Administration's resumption of the "No-Match" Letter Program.
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IRS Targets Independent Contractors
Updated: 03.01.12 by Mike Coyne
IRS reclassification of workers as employees can be an expensive proposition, as the employer can be held liable for back payroll taxes, penalties, and interest.
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Partners Should Plan Ahead For Disability
Updated: 02.01.12 by Mike Coyne
Dealing with a disabled partner is never an easy matter. Human nature is such that many of us would find it difficult to ask a disabled partner to step aside due to his or her disability. Yet, this is often the only solution.
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Medical Marijuana Clouds Employer Drug-Use Policies For Employees
Updated: 01.01.12 by Mike Coyne
Until recently, it has been fairly well understood that an employer can require pre-employment drug testing and refuse to hire someone who tests positively for illegal drugs. However, changes in the law with respect to the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes have made it difficult for employers to know how far they can go to maintain a drug-free workplace.
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Protecting Against Data-Related Risks
Updated: 01.01.12 by Matthew Stangle
This exposure is excluded in standard general liability policies, but may be insured separately under a policy that covers “electronic-data incidents” resulting in damage to, loss of, loss of use of, cor- ruption of, inability to access, or inability to properly manipulate, electronic data.
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Why Boilerplate Can Be Your Best Friend
Updated: 12.01.11 by Mike Coyne
That gobbledygook at the end of contracts matters greatly when disputes arise.
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How To Resolve Disputes In Family-Owned Businesses
Updated: 10.01.11 by Mike Coyne
Family-owned businesses present unique and difficult problems that are generally not found in other closely-held businesses.
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Changes Coming To Retirement Plans
Updated: 10.01.11 by Mike Coyne
If you currently have a retirement plan that allows you to make large contributions, you may want to think about maximizing your contributions this year, as the opportunity may not be available in the future. It's also a good time to discuss personal contributions and 401(k) fee-disclosure rules with your plan investment adviser or broker.
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Controversial Labor Reversals Overshadow Idle Congress
Updated: 10.01.11 by Charlie McCrudden
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Do You Have Too Much Liability Coverage?
Updated: 09.01.11 by Matthew Stangle
Typically, general liability includes three areas: bodily injury and property damage, personal and advertising injury, and medical expenses. Determine the amount of liability coverage you need by evaluating your potential risk, the state in which you operate (both its legal minimum and its history of awarding high damage amounts), and your personnel quality.
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Does Your Business Need an Outside Board of Directors?
Updated: 08.01.11 by Mike Coyne
An advisory board might be a better option for business owners.
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Be Weary of Retirement-Plan Checks That Show Up Unexpectedly
Updated: 07.01.11 by Mike Coyne
If you get a check and do not know why he received it, check with your retirement plan advisers first. Chances are the check belongs to your retirement plan.
View Be Weary of Retirement-Plan Checks That Show Up Unexpectedly
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Employee Handbooks Can Provide Important Legal Protection
Updated: 06.01.11 by Mike Coyne
Regardless of the number of employees you have, you have to inform them of you policies. The best way to communicate these is through an employee manual. It will also provide your business important protection.
View Employee Handbooks Can Provide Important Legal Protection
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Copyright Vs. Trademark
Updated: 05.01.11 by Mike Coyne
How to navigate the murky waters of intellectual property rights. In this article, legal expert Mike Coyne differentiates between copyright and trademark and how they apply to your business name, slogan, fleet design and marketing materials.
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Take Advantage of Estate Tax Benefits
Updated: 02.01.11 by Mike Coyne
Improvements to the estate tax law in 2011 offer business owners and familyowned businesses some interesting planning opportunities during the next two years.
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Social Media Poses Legal Risks for Businesses
Updated: 12.01.10 by Mike Coyne
Although social media has many benefits, be aware of the employer liability regarding employee’s participation on a social media sites.
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Use Trusts For Continuity Planning and Avoiding Probate
Updated: 11.01.10 by Mike Coyne
Trusts can provide benefits even for incorporated businesses.
View Use Trusts For Continuity Planning and Avoiding Probate
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How to Plan For Your Extended Absence
Updated: 10.01.10 by Mike Coyne
Find the best way to plan for your business to succeed whether or not you are present for the daily operations.
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Are You Using Contract Labor?
Updated: 09.01.10 by Mike Coyne
Congress considering changes to address 'worker misclassification' regarding independent contractors.
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Healthcare Reform: Readers’ Questions Answered
Updated: 08.01.10 by Mike Coyne
Changes coming this fall but recipients won't be taxes on benefits. Readers raise questions about the healthcare reform and we answer.
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How Health Reform Threatens Small Business Health Plans
Updated: 07.01.10 by Mike Coyne
The problems facing small businesses due to healthcare reform are two-fold.
View How Health Reform Threatens Small Business Health Plans
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Estate-Tax Repeal Leaves Many Unknowns
Updated: 04.01.10 by Mike Coyne
Business owners should consider pitfalls and special circumstances before reviewing estate plans.
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How to Be a Savvy Negotiator for Commercial Leases
Updated: 03.01.10 by Mike Coyne
Consider more than just the rental rate when evaluating commercial property and negotiating leases.
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Tactics for Avoiding Lawsuits
Updated: 02.01.10 by Mike Coyne
Litigation is always the result of a failure of people to deal with each other reasonably.
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Carefully Consider Coverage for Liability
Updated: 01.01.10 by Mike Coyne
Too often, customers do not appreciate that such demands for protection against damages cannot be accommodated without exceptional costs that translate into significantly higher prices for services.
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Is Identity Theft a Looming Risk For Your Business?
Updated: 12.01.09 by Mike Coyne
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How to Take Control From Minority Shareholders
Updated: 11.01.09 by Mike Coyne
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Corporate Control Can Be Complicated
Updated: 08.02.09 by Mike Coyne
Agreements among shareholders concerning corporate control must be carefully drafted and usually must comply with very specific state laws. This is one time when a competent lawyer's help is absolutely necessary.
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Controlling Healthcare Insurance Costs
Updated: 08.01.09 by Mike Coyne
Every contractor should be watching what is happening with healthcare costs. If you already provide employee health insurance, you are well aware of how rising insurance premiums affect your business.
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Homeowners Have Limited Liability for Worker Injury
Updated: 06.01.09 by Mike Coyne
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Protect Your Secrets
Updated: 05.01.09 by Stephen A. DiTullio
With an understanding of when and how to use confidentiality agreements, you can prevent information on your business operations from landing in the hands of your competitors.
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Laser Printing Primer
Updated: 04.01.09 by Frank W. Abagnale
Prevent check fraud by understanding how laser checks can be altered and put technology in place to prevent disaster
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Small Business Scams on the Rise
Updated: 04.01.09 by Mike Coyne
Watch your accounts payable and establish internal controls to protect your business from falling victim.
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Protecting Your Right to Get Paid
Updated: 01.01.09 by Mike Coyne
Mechanic’s liens can assist you in collecting from a non-paying customer; however, statutes exist in all 50 states, and the rules vary dramatically.
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Addressing Business Disputes
Updated: 12.01.08 by Mike Coyne
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Shedding Light on Moonlighting Risks
Updated: 10.01.08 by Mike Coyne
Permitting employees to "borrow" equipment is a bad idea.
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Exercise Caution With Government Contracts
Updated: 09.01.08 by Mike Coyne
Detailed records are the best defense against potential false-claims allegations.
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Workplace Violence - Are You Liable?
Updated: 08.01.08 by Mike Coyne
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The Impact of Consumer Protection Laws
Updated: 06.01.08 by Mike Coyne
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Disability Insurance Basics
Updated: 05.01.08 by Mike Coyne
Helping companies attract and retain good workers.
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Can Big Brother Watch?
Updated: 03.01.08 by Mike Coyne
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Growth by Acquisition
Updated: 02.01.08 by Mike Coyne
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Take Stock In Rewards
Updated: 01.01.08 by Mike Coyne
There are a myriad smart ways to reward key employees. Issuing company stock isn't one of them.
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Property/Casualty Insurance
Updated: 12.01.07 by David Myer
Understanding property/casualty insurance coverages can help you stem serious loss potential for your business.
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Independent Contractor or Employee?
Updated: 11.01.07 by Mike Coyne
The Internal Revenue Service has rules for determining whether someone is an employee or an independent contractor.
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Pre-Employment Screening Requires Caution
Updated: 10.01.07 by Mike Coyne
To find the best people, you need to adopt good hiring practices. Pre-employment screening should be one aspect of these hiring practices. However, you need to be aware that there are important limitations on an employer’s right to pre-screen potential employees.
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Protect Your Company with a Corporate Minute Book
Updated: 09.01.07 by Mike Coyne
Corporate minutes can help ensure that owners shield themselves from being held legally responsible for corporate business failures. In addition, they can help quickly settle inevitable shareholder disputes, smooth business transactions and even help answer questions during an audit by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
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When Soldiers Return From Service
Updated: 09.01.07 by Mike Coyne
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Why your limited liability company needs an operating agreement.
Updated: 08.01.07 by Mike Coyne
A good operating agreement can be a useful tool for running your business as an LLC.
View Why your limited liability company needs an operating agreement.
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How Effective Are Non-competition Agreements?
Updated: 07.01.07 by Mike Coyne
If you need a non-competition agreement to protect your business, you will need to get legal help and follow these guidelines.
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Take Sexual-Harassment Claims Seriously
Updated: 06.01.07 by Mike Coyne
Written policies and clear instructions are two ways to protect your business from costly claims.
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Complying With Immigration Law In Hiring
Updated: 05.01.07 by Mike Coyne
The safest way to avoid problems under the immigration laws is to understand your responsibilities as an employer.
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Getting Ready To Sell Your Business
Updated: 04.01.07 by Mike Coyne
A successful sale of any business requires planning, and some of that planning must start well before the business is even offered for sale. Here are some ideas on how to get your business, and yourself, ready for a sale.
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How to Protect Your Business Secrets
Updated: 01.01.07 by Mike Coyne
Your trade secrets may consist of customer lists, training manuals, financial records, contracts with distributors, and the like, that would be very valuable to your competition. Keep them secret with some of these simple, inexpensive steps.
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Be Careful with Letters of Intent
Updated: 07.01.06 by Mike Coyne
Find out why letters of intent may be binding and some practical advice when crafting them.
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Will Your Business Die With You?
Updated: 06.01.06 by Mike Coyne
Strategies for leaving your company to family members.