Defamation can cause huge issues for professionals, businesses, and individuals whose work involves maintaining their good reputation. From an accountant finding that they are the target of a conspiracy theory website to blog posts spewing unfounded opinion as fact, defamation is all over. The internet makes this content quicker to spread, easier to legitimize, and…
One way many estates ensure that there is enough liquid cash on hand is through life insurance. Cash can be used to pay estate taxes, give children the resources to manage the property they inherit, give a business partner the ability to buy out the estate’s interest in a business, or to provide for children…
Often, details of a civil lawsuit are heard by the court before the full trial occurs. These pre-trial motions deal with issues that need to be addressed before a case is heard by the judge or jury including the admissibility of evidence, whether the case is before the right court, and even whether there’s a…
From companion dogs to award winning horses to cats that are a business asset, people often want to ensure their pets are cared for after their death. Choupette Lagerfeld, a Birman cat, inherited a significant sum in the millions when Karl Lagerfeld died earlier this year. Even individuals with much smaller estates want to ensure…
Many different lawsuits, from personal injury to business damages, rely on the ability of the jury to clearly understand the facts, issues, and ramifications of a case. Using an expert witness as part of the case presentation is an excellent way to add credence to a particular argument, give a clear explanation of a complicated…
An estate plan can include a wide variety of assets from the traditional house and car to intellectual property (IP) assets such as patents, copyrighted artwork, and trademarks for closely held businesses. When planning an estate, these items should be considered to ensure your heirs are aware of your ownership and your heirs should know…
During a lawsuit, a deposition is a chance for the lawyers of each side to ask parties questions under oath to learn more about what they think and what they’re likely to say at trial. Depositions happen shortly after written discovery, allowing time for the attorneys to review submitted materials and are generally conducted in…
While estate plans tend to focus on the large, high value items like real estate, cars, securities, and cash, just as many family squabbles occur over low-value personal items left behind by loved ones. From grandmother’s brownie pan to dad’s favorite hunting jacket, these items often have personal significance to multiple family members and dividing…
As a business owner, you purchase various types of business insurance to try and mitigate your risk and exposure. This lets you focus on growing your business without constantly worrying that one lawsuit will drain your coffers. Therefore, you expect, when sued, that insurance will cover the costs of your lawsuit as well as any…
When someone is purchasing property, they often do so with no regards to the state the property is located. It’s not at all unusual for someone to own property in two or more states. While they are only a resident of one state when they die and that state is generally where they have many…