Welcome to the Massingill blog. Here’ll you’ll find frequently published articles on important topics relating to business law, healthcare business law, and family estate planning. Not finding the information you need? Book a consultation. Our friendly and helpful legal staff will answers your questions and get you on the path to solutions.
Copyright is an important type of intellectual property (IP). Specifically, copyrights protect original works of authorship as soon as the creator fixes the work in a tangible form of expression. Common examples of copyrightable works include: No matter what type of work you want to protect, registering your copyright is an important step to take to better protect your...
Continue ReadingA lot of acronyms can come out of the woodwork when an entrepreneur decides to start a new business. A new business owner might hear things about LLCs (limited liability companies), EINs (Employer Identification Numbers), and DBAs (“doing business as” names). But what’s the difference between a DBA and an LLC? The quick answer is that a DBA is...
Continue ReadingWhen most people start a business, they don’t think about falling out with their business partners. On the contrary, this is a time of optimism and hope. But unfortunately, sometimes, business relationships do become strained. Below, we will discuss what happens when business partners decide to part ways and what you can do to protect yourself and your business....
Continue ReadingMost small business owners make the mistake of assuming that once they have set up a corporation or limited liability company, they and their personal assets are protected from liability. As a result, they do not take any further action to sustain limited liability protection. Or worse, they take actions that weaken limited liability protection, increasing the risk that...
Continue ReadingPeople enter into small business partnerships based on a common interest and a common vision. The hope for the future of your business tends to drive all decisions. But these halcyon days almost always pass and difficulties and disagreements arise. Therefore, the smartest foundational business decision you can make is to hope for the best and prepare for the...
Continue ReadingThe creation of the limited liability company (LLC) as a business entity was transformative for small businesses. It took the best of the C corporation and partnership models and also perfected the intentions behind the S corporation. However, an LLC without an operating agreement is but a shell. To truly realize the potential that an LLC business model provides,...
Continue ReadingContracts form the foundation of all economic transactions, whether international commercial deals or weekly mowing of the front lawn. However, things don’t always go as planned. Therefore, when you rely on the other party to perform, and they fail to do so, there could be a breach of contract and a claim for damages. In that event, what do...
Continue ReadingNot all states recognize handwritten wills—also known as holographic wills—as valid. Every state has its own rules, so a will can be valid in one place but not another. Handwritten wills in Texas are not only valid but just as effective as a typed will. That being said, a handwritten will is not the most reliable way to transfer...
Continue ReadingOne of the most important decisions to make when estate planning is deciding who will inherit your assets. Your last will and testament will include these decisions in the form of bequests. So what does bequest mean in a will? Generally speaking, a bequest is how you instruct who gets what when you die. There are many different kinds...
Continue ReadingEstate planning for business owners is one of the most important but overlooked parts of setting up a business. Often, folks wait until it’s too late to have conversations about their wishes for their small business after they pass on. When setting up your business, estate planning for small business owners can be an essential component of preparing for...
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