I am a DJ. The company for which I work has establishments set up regular weekly gigs with them, to which I get assigned. Each week, I prep the materials out of my own pocket, drive to the establishment on my own dime, and work the gig each Wednesday. When the gig occurs normally, I am... Read more »

answered on May 23, 2023
In California; "―Hours worked‖ means the time during which an employee is subject to the control of an employer, and includes all the time the employee is suffered or permitted to work, whether or not required to do so." Under Federal law: "“Employ” includes to suffer or... Read more »
I am starting an online business in PA and have a virtual office address for the business along with a registered agent that I used to file the corporation with the state. Can I use that address to get a local business license or do I need to use my home address? I am unsure if I should use the... Read more »

answered on Feb 27, 2023
I agree with Mr Cherewka. If you are filing a Certificate of Organization or Articles of Incorporation with the Department of State to form a new LLC or corporation, you need to use an actual street address where you receive mail. You cannot use a Post Office Box. You can also hire a Commercial... Read more »
I am starting an online business in PA and have a virtual office address for the business along with a registered agent that I used to file the corporation with the state. Can I use that address to get a local business license or do I need to use my home address? I am unsure if I should use the... Read more »

answered on Feb 27, 2023
Not sure what you mean by a "business license" in Pennsylvania? if you are looking to form a corporation or an LLC to conduct a business in PA you will need a street address. We usually don't recommend that you use your home address, but since you do not have a business office or... Read more »
I live in and the business will operate in Pennsylvania. What is the best way to set this up? I am not looking to dodge the pa tax, I just don't want my name on the database as the owner. Should I register as a foreign corporation or set up a second domestic S corp with the first as the owner?... Read more »

answered on Feb 7, 2023
i agree with Attorney Lanard. if you use a law firm or commercial registered agent you can file the Articles of Incorporation without your name and without your address (or an address associated with you). Out of state incorporation would add a layer of complexity and ongoing expense with very... Read more »
I live in and the business will operate in Pennsylvania. What is the best way to set this up? I am not looking to dodge the pa tax, I just don't want my name on the database as the owner. Should I register as a foreign corporation or set up a second domestic S corp with the first as the owner?... Read more »

answered on Feb 7, 2023
Whether you form the entity in DE, NV or WY, you will still have to file in PA as foreign entity and will be visible. However, if you want anonymity, then use a paid registered agent and have a service or law firm file the paperwork for you in PA. This will provide the anonymity you are seeking.... Read more »
Father passed away in 2017. I was named the sole executor and beneficiary in his will. The will explicitly outlined this property as belonging to him and being left to me in the case of his death. Suddenly a silent business partner that walked away four years ago exerts that he is half owner of the... Read more »

answered on Dec 2, 2022
Dear Executor, without more details it is difficult to give you an answer as to what recourse you may have. That aside you are the Executor which means that you step into your Father's shoes regarding the disposition of his assets. The attorney that represented the Estate should have... Read more »
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answered on Nov 21, 2022
You would have to see a lawyer to determine whether you can sue the other party for lost wages. Employment laws vary from state to state. I think you'd have a tough time proving that you lost income as an independent contractor. W2 employee income is known and predictable, but yours isn't... Read more »
I want to start a classifieds webpage for cannabis products for dispensaries and consumers alike. How can I make that happen?

answered on Aug 2, 2022
One response is "just do it." But a better answer would be to form a business entity, such as a corporation or a limited liability company, to protect your personal assets from exposure to business liability.

answered on Jul 9, 2022
A sole proprietorship is not a business organization separate from its owner. This means that there is no legal “person” involved except the proprietor, so there is nobody else who could own property in their own name. A small business owner might register a “doing business as” name, but... Read more »
I'm trying to buy a car and I have no credit due to being incarcerated most of my adult life

answered on May 10, 2023
No. You can pay cash if you choose, or pay with a credit card, etc.
Most lenders who provide financing for traditional car loans, however, will require a down payment as a condition of making a loan. That is both typical and legal.
My father gave me shares of his s-corp, roughly 30 years ago, and equates to 1/3 of the issued shares. Now he is incapacitated and I see how the corp distributes profit and losses to the shareholders in prior tax returns. I never received anything for my shares and he had kept them with his... Read more »

answered on Feb 14, 2023
You describe a complicated situation that has many potential legal and tax issues - it’s even possible the company is no longer in existence. I think you need to consult personally with a business lawyer to review what documents you have, what documents are filed with the PA Department of State... Read more »

answered on Nov 22, 2022
If someone does marketing through video ads for his products, he most probably has his product trademarked. However to have complete answer to this a qualified trademark research must be performed. I highly recommend you to seek an advice from intellectual property lawyer in your area first.

answered on Apr 24, 2022
I think you should work with your certified public accountant and he may have to work with your partners’ accountants. It would be best if each partner had his own accountant, as there will be issues that all partners (such as valuations) would have to agree to.
I started a business with my dad when I was 19 in 2014. Neither of knew absolutely anything about running a business. So we created a partnership through legal zoom (first mistake). We carried on business as usual and messed up filing our taxes so had somebody fix it. Then 2 years later we split... Read more »

answered on Apr 2, 2022
As you are not incorporated, closing the business will not eliminate your personal liability. Although bankruptcy may be the solution, it will take a detailed examination of your overall financial situation to be certain.
That being said, Chapter 7 bankruptcy may help you eliminate most or... Read more »

answered on Feb 10, 2022
I'm sorry: this question can't be answered as asked. Lots more detail and context is necessary. The question needs careful deconstruction. If this is an actual situation you are facing, and you are asking for specific advice, you should talk with an attorney. Good luck.
Background: I am going to see life coaching clients from all over the USA/world by online teleconferencing software.
Do I need to file DBAs for each USA States and Foreign Country when I encounter a new client from a new country/USA state?

answered on Jan 3, 2022
Assuming you will be 'headquartered' and conducting business in PA from a teleconference originating in PA, I believe the answer is "no."
without a court order nor my permission who has the legal right to contact and receive the records that were signed and uploaded to the electronic signature company software. Please remember I am the client who has the contract with this company. A third party signed a contract and is attempting... Read more »

answered on Dec 13, 2021
What does your contract with the electronic signature company say? What do you mean when you say "attempting to obtain"? Subpoena? I'm not sure what the detective has to do with it.
This question is difficult to answer as stated. It would be best to obtain advice of counsel.
Good luck.
I registered three business names as LLCs and received EINs in New York State. One business is online (functions in Pennsylvania) and the other two are for real estate and branding purposes. I haven't made any money and I forgot to publish the businesses in the newspaper. Should I publish now... Read more »

answered on Nov 10, 2021
The good news: there is no publication / advertising requirement for Pennsylvania LLCs. There's also no need to change the LLC structure in order to pay yourself when the business profits (or even before it does). We can take up the general business counseling in an out-of-band... Read more »
My dad got a business loan from the previous owner of said business in 2005. Regular payments have been made to the lender since. My dad recently died and now the lender said the balance was supposed to be paid over 7 years ago and wants the rest of his money from me.

answered on Oct 14, 2021
You are not responsible for the debts of your father. Tell the lender to submit the debt to the estate.
However, if the loan isn't personal but a business loan, if the business is up and running it can be submitted to them.
Jot down each time they call, who you speak to, the... Read more »
We put down 4,000 to open a business. We signed the lease but because of Covid, weren't able to get the paperwork in the normal, timely fashion. When we went to get the lease, it was altered.

answered on May 6, 2021
I don't think there are enough facts in your question to be able to give any response It doesn't say whether you took a copy of the signed, unaltered lease with you at the time you and the landlord signed it; or whether you told the landlord that the lease had been changed when you... Read more »
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