Small businesses have many of the same legal issues as larger ones but typically, don’t have in-house counsel to guide them in protecting and growing their business. That is where a fractional general counsel (FGC) comes in to fill the gap. An FGC is an attorney who...

For many small business owners, conflicts can get personal. No matter who allegedly injured the other, you may feel wronged and want to be vindicated regardless of the cost. However, litigation should always be the last resort. It is expensive and time-consuming and...

Contractual disputes are sometimes unavoidable. While a well-drafted agreement can minimize the likelihood of conflicts, it’s best to plan for how to resolve disagreements without resorting to litigation. Going to court is time-consuming and expensive. Fortunately,...

Private company valuations present challenges because shares are not traded on a public exchange. As discussed in our prior post on How to Value Shares in a Private Company, there are certain factors that should be taken into account in determining what a company is...

When a co-owner or partner in a private company wants to sell his or her shares, valuing their shares can be a problem. Public company shares are traded on a public market, so the price is clear. Private companies have to use different methodologies that can be...

If you are co-owner of a business, it is important to plan for what happens if you or another owner exits the business. This is particularly crucial if the company is a partnership or closely held corporation because those remaining will want control over who gets the...

Most parents want to leave their children an inheritance if they can afford to do so, but that isn’t universally true. There are plenty of parents who decide not to give anything to one or more of their kids or leave them money in unequal shares. While it’s legal to...

Generosity doesn’t always come with a timetable, but if you have been thinking about when to make large gifts of cash or property to someone, now might be a good time. These unique times we’re all currently living through may make now the best time in recent history...

There are numerous stories of wealthy families that over the generations became poorer rather than richer. Overspending and poor financial decisions by the Pulitzer's, Barbara Hutton (Woolworth heiress) and others resulted in the loss of much of the family fortune....

Lawsuits by trust beneficiaries are a regular occurrence for several reasons. Often, it is because trusts involve families which means that there may be personal conflicts fueling the underlying litigation. Those issues may make it harder for the parties to settle...