You've owned a small business for a while, probably. It's been either a great experience or a headache, but for whatever reason, you want to sell it or pass it along to another generation or another owner. You've never done this before and you're not sure what's involved, but I can help.
You've probably heard the phrase "pull yourself up by your bootstraps.” It's been around for more than 100 years, but it has also evolved into another term that a lot of startups (especially tech startups) use to describe the way that they get off the ground and grow. In the old days, pulling ...
So you've started a business, you've been running it for a while, and now you have investors. What do you do first? KATHERINE L. TAYLOR, ATTORNEY AND CPA
Katherine Taylor, the lawyer for business owners, explains how running a business is like running a race. You can contact her at her website, https://taylorlegal.com/
I was in a hurry today because I didn't allow enough time between preparing for my race in October and getting this post ready. But in that process, I realized that I was making progress to achieving my goals, even if it didn't seem like it at the time. I have a plan to run a half-marathon in October, and that plan requires running a certain number of times a week. I had to do it today...
In a prior post, I discussed when you need or do not need a lawyer to assist in the formation of an LLC. Now, I'm going to explain to you when you do and don't need a lawyer to assist with the formation of your corporation. You can form a corporation by filing certain documents with any state ...
This is the first in a series of "Do I Need a Lawyer?" posts. Many of the calls I get from people are just asking the question "do I really need to hire you?” and frankly, the answer is often no. Today, I'm going to explain to you when you may or may not need a lawyer if you're forming an LL...
Beginning May 29, the state of Maryland began allowing restaurants to reopen, provided that they only seat patrons outside at tables holding up to six people; all tables must be at least six feet away from each other. Customers must wear masks when not dining, and employees must...
Happy Halloween, Howard County!I just finished carving my pumpkin, and, in the spirit of the season, I thought I would share with you a little legal horror story, which I first heard in law school.The case in question is Stambovsky v. Ackley, 169 A.D.2d 254 (NY App. Div. 1991). The facts of the c...
Exactly what is an S corporation and what types of businesses may be interested in being an S Corp? First, it is very important to understand that an S Corp is a FEDERAL TAX STATUS of a corporation and not a type of entity. What does this mean? This means that when you form a corpor...
Are you considering starting a small business in Maryland? If so, it is important that you select the right type of entity and comply with Maryland requirements. A Maryland business attorney and accountant can be helpful in guiding you through the necessary steps. As a broad overview, ...
In Maryland an employer can be liable for the negligence of an "agent, servant, or employee." The legal term for this is "respondeat superior." In Latin this literally means "let the master answer." First, while we often hear the word "negligence," what does it mean in this contex...
Running any type of business is challenging, but running a home-based business has its own set of challenges. If you are considering running a home based business you should thoroughly weigh the pros and cons for your type of business and your personal needs. You need a fit for bo...
A historic preservation easement is a type of conservation easement designed to protect a significant historic, archaeological, or cultural resource. An easement is an agreement between a property owner and another party which limits certain rights of the owner. Preservation easements entered int...
If you're a designer, you've undoubtedly pushed out many of your personal creative projects online. In all likelihood, you've spent a lot of your time and hard work to create designs that affect others in a profound manner. All you ask for is recognition and credit for your creative expression — ...
ADVERSE POSSESSION Adverse possession seems to be a particularly unusual legal right. In simple terms, it provides that a person who does not have legal title to a property can obtain it under specified circumstances. The legal require...
Did you know that you can record a judgment from another state in Maryland? Through a simple procedure a recorded out of state judgment becomes legally enforceable in Maryland, increasing your options for collection and satisfaction of a judgment. To record a fi...
HOWARD COUNTY ZONING VIOLATIONS What should you do if you get a zoning violation notice in Howard County? First, some background on the Howard County Department of Planning and Zoning ("DPZ") is useful. DPZ's stated mission is: "To create collaborative, innovative plans and implem...
If you are starting a new company in Maryland, particularly a small business, you may wonder, "why do I need a lawyer?" With the abundance of information readily available on the Internet, couldn't you save money on lawyer fees by not retaining a business lawyer from the outset and just hope leg...
Say you've decided to form a limited liability company, commonly referred to as an "LLC." You've heard that an LLC needs an "operating agreement" in Maryland but you don't know what that means or how to proceed. This article will guide you. The first thing is to be sure...
You're an owner leasing commercial rental property or a tenant wishing to lease. You've agreed on the important lease terms such as square footage, rent, and term. So why should you spend the time and money to involve a lawyer you ask? On both sides, it's advisable. Lease...
SDAT OVERVIEW FOR MARYLAND BUSINESSES Anyone doing or planning to do business in Maryland should be familiar with the State Department of Assessments & Taxation ("SDAT"). As a broad overview, SDAT governs business formation and taxation. The SDAT website, http://www.dat.maryland.gov, provid...
Eminent domain occurs when the state takes an owner's real property for public use. The process is called condemnation. This seems unusual to many. Why, they ask, can the government take my property? It's not that simple and there are safeguards in place to protect an owner facing condemnation. ...
If you're a small business owner, the thought of navigating a potential lawsuit can be scary. As a Maryland lawyer and former CPA who represents small businesses and who has also been a commercial and business litigator in a premier law firm in Baltimore, I know both the business side and litigat...
Is the agreement I just entered into a legally binding contract? In general, a valid contract requires four elements: offer, acceptance, consideration, and performance. The process begins when one party offers the terms for the contract. Next, the other party can accept, reject, or requ...
