The decisions which you make initially as you organize your company and open its doors can affect both your company's long-term future and your personal financial security. Getting the proper advice can save you hassle, heartache, and financial devastation in the future, so you should be sure to reach out to an attorney right away.
Read MoreDisparate impact discrimination usually starts when there is a job requirement established by an employer. The job requirement may appear to be neutral on its face. However, it ends up disqualifying more people of a protected class, such as more people of a given race or a given religion. For example, in an area where fewer minorities have a college education, a job requirement mandating a college degree could be considered disparate impact discrimination.
Read MoreThere are different types of environmental review requirements which are in place within the state of Pennsylvania. You need to know what the environmental review requirements are in your location and for your particular type of development project or business endeavor. The best way to understand the environmental review requirements applicable to you is to speak with a land use development attorney.
Read MoreA 1031 exchange, or like-kind exchange as it is also called, can make it possible for you to defer capital gains taxes on profits from selling a business property or an investment property. The Internal Revenue Service provides extensive details on the rules of a 1031 exchange, which you must be aware of if you are considering selling a property and hoping to do a 1031 exchange to avoid paying capital gains taxes.
Read MoreWhile both C-corps and S-corps can allow you protection from liability, the other advantages provided by each corporate structure can differ. For example, if you plan to run a small family company and tax flexibility is your primary goal, an S-corp may be a better solution. If, on the other hand, you hope to grow your organization very large and want different types of owners to be able to have an ownership stake, then a C-corp may be a better bet under the circumstances.
Read MoreThere are a few primary ways that a business could be taxed on profits. One possible option is that your company could have to pay taxes on its profits. This is the taxation method for C-corporations. The problem with this method of taxation is that it could end up with company profits being taxed twice. The company may have to pay taxes, and the owners of shares of the company could also be forced to pay taxes as well. This can cost you a lot of money, especially if you have a closely held corporation.
Read MoreAccording to the Pennsylvania Attorney General, "a security deposit is money which actually belongs to the tenant, but is held by the landlord for protection against damages or unpaid rent." Landlords are required to give back security deposits as long as a tenant has not caused undue damage to a property. Normal wear and tear on an apartment is not cause for keeping a security deposit, and landlords will need to return the money that is owed to a tenant if a tenant has not caused substantial damage to the property in question.
Read MoreWhen you are financing a business venture, you need to consider possible risk that you are taking on through the method of financing that you choose. If you operate as a sole proprietorship or as a partnership, you are going to be personally responsible for all of the debts that the business takes on. This means that if the company goes into debt, you go into debt. If the company goes bankrupt, you will also go bankrupt and your personal assets will be at substantial risk.
Read MoreOne of the issues that can come up when a breach of contract accusation is made or when parties disagree on contract terms is how to interpret a contract and what the agreement terms are. This is especially important if there are any type of ambiguities or irregularities and the parties disagree on what the terms of the agreement mean. There are rules of contract interpretation that apply in these circumstances, including a rule called the parole evidence rule.
Read MoreWhile non-competes are common, they are also difficult to enforce in many circumstances. Non-compete agreements can sometimes be overly restrictive and can impede a person's ability to make a living. This type of agreement is not going to be enforced because it is considered bad public policy and an unlawful restraint on trade to make it effectively impossible for someone to earn a living in his or her chosen profession.
Read MoreWhen buying land for commercial real estate development, it is your responsibility to do your due diligence to make sure that the land is going to be a viable place for your proposed development project. While the sellers of land must make certain disclosures to you, the doctrine of caveat emptor, or buyer beware, also applies in the field of commercial real estate. This means it is up to you to do the research that you need into all aspects of the land purchase so you can make wise investments.
Read MoreAge discrimination is unlawful under the federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act. Employers are not permitted to discriminate against older employees in any of the terms or conditions of employment. This means employers cannot refuse to hire you, refuse to promote you, or force you to retire or take a demotion as a result of your age. Employers also cannot provide different benefits or job perks to workers based on their age.
Read MoreIf a tenant contests an eviction, you will need to go to court in order to get an order of eviction for the tenant who you want to force to leave your rental property. In many cases, tenants will not contest the eviction and the court will simply grant the order of eviction. When this happens, your only challenge will be to enforce that order. In other circumstances, however, the tenant might challenge the legality of the eviction and you will need to prove you have justification for evicting the tenant.
Read MoreA guaranteed maximum price construction contract is a contract in which the contractor agrees not to exceed a certain price for a construction process. The contractor assumes the risk of cost overruns caused by things like severe weather.
Read MoreQuid pro quo harassment occurs in situations where any of the terms and conditions of your job are conditioned upon agreeing to sexual favors or sexual behaviors. In some cases, it is easy to provide quid pro quo harassment occurred if an overt offer of job benefits or job advancement is made. In other circumstances, bosses or managers may be more subtle in their suggestions that sexual behavior can help you to advance.
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