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Spouse and I sold a business to a lawyer and his friend. They retained us as independent contractors, and told us we could re-integrate as owners, and, have profit sharing. Three years later, neither is true after we have brought it to his attention multiple times. Now he tell us to wait longer for... View More 
answered on May 20, 2019
I am guessing that you and your spouse did not have a lawyer to advise you when selling your small business to a lawyer and his friend; am I right? If so, then take the money you saved by not hiring a lawyer when you should have, add several more thousands of dollars to it and then go hire a lawyer... View More
The businesses are a social dancing venues, and the person in question has been accused of sexually assaulting at least four people, and has a history of consent violations and inappropriate behavior going back many years. The businesses continue to hire this person, knowing his history, and he... View More
answered on Dec 26, 2018
That business might be sued for negligence by victims of the employee. If the employee has committed any crimes, such as assault, the victim can call the police to report this. More details are necessary to provide a professional analysis of your issue. The best first step is an Initial... View More
Mr. Y, is a religious man and head of a seafood company branch owned by the church he attends. 5 years ago, he hired his friend, Reverend K, who "quit" the company after 6 months. Recently, upper management received an e-mail they were not suppose to get. It was HR asking Mr. Y who half... View More
answered on Sep 12, 2018
It could be argued that he was sealing money and committing fraud, especially if he turned in timesheets/employment applications/etc that contained false information.
Looking for a local bank to open a checking account but they all require a WA business license. I currently have an big bank checking that didn't require it but it is difficult to utilize.
answered on May 9, 2018
Each state requires business entities that conduct business above a minimum level to register to conduct business in the state. A Washington licensed business attorney can advise on what the specific requirements are in Washington. Based solely on the fact that no bank will permit you to open an... View More
For our three separate rental buildings, we paid a lawyer to form three separate LLCs. However, those LLCs were never put on the property titles. He never advised us to do so, nor did he advise us to update contracts with our tenants with the new LLC information, so our tenants still write us... View More
answered on Mar 6, 2018
From the information provided, it does not seem like the LLCs are doing anything. Ideally, you would want the LLC to own the rental property, to be the landlord in the lease, and to be depositing the rent into the LLC account.
My business would involve hosting summer programs for teenagers in different states, at locations temporarily rented for that purpose (e.g. facilities at a college campus). Do I need to be licensed in a state I plan to hold a program in?
answered on Jan 29, 2018
Probably so, but an attorney would need to review the business laws of that particular state to know for sure.
I was rear ended by no fault of my own and my lawyer refuses to request what I am asking, but I am ignorant about my rights
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answered on Jan 24, 2018
From a practical standpoint, demands are usually directed up to the policy limits. At times, a demand can be made for more but it may be impractical to do so. Sit down with your attorney and another attorney in your area to discuss the best and most sensible way to pursue your case.
As an LLC, we file as an S-Corp for federal taxes. We have an existing contract with the foreign company for services, resulting in expected revenue for 3 years. Can they purchase part of the LLC even though we file as an S-Corp? Or should we reform as a C-Corp. What then becomes of the existing... View More
answered on Sep 15, 2017
You would have to elect to be taxed as a partnership or as a C-Corp. A foreign entity cannot own part of an S-Corporation. However depending upon the purpose of the investment and the nature of how you want to operate there may be an alternative set of structures to accomplish your goal.
answered on Sep 2, 2017
Do you intend to apply the actual logo stickers that you bought? In copyright, there is the First Sale Doctrine that provides that if a person buys an object having copyright protected material, the buyer can do what they want with the object. For example for a book, you could give it away or... View More
My sons dad is trying to get out of paying for daycare unless they prorate cuz he misses 5 days. He is now 2 months behind in daycare.
answered on Aug 3, 2017
There's no law that I'm aware of. You look at the terms of the contract you signed and agreed to. If the contract says prorate, you prorate. If the contract says it's a fixed rate regardless of days missed, you pay in full. If the contract is silent, there's a decent... View More
answered on Jul 7, 2017
Are you saying you're a web designer and you created a website for a pizza place, and someone copied and rebranded that website as Stacia's Gourmet Pizza?
If so, how much of your work was copied? What elements: images, text, html?
Or are you saying that Stacia's... View More
My soon to be ex and his business partners have dissipated our business in violation of court orders, taken out and spent all the money ($300K in meals and entertainment in 2 years), casinos, trips, his secretary/girlfriend fixing her car buying her clothes, trips etc. The business is now out of... View More
answered on May 3, 2017
You are likely going to need a business attorney in your area to represent you in any dealings with these creditors who are hounding you. The business attorney should be able to advise you on any potential exposure to creditors claims and defend you if any creditors attempt to collect against you... View More
answered on Mar 30, 2017
The common way is to set up a limited liability or a corporation and to maintain the legal requirement of that entity so that the corporate structure cannot be "pierced." Here is the IRS's guide on LLCs, which I see most often with startups:... View More
I understand salary must be "reasonable in industry standards" but who decides that, and what if there simply isn't enough revenue to sustain a "reasonable" salary for the owner? I'm a sole prop now (just me, pretty small income), and I'm trying to study the... View More
answered on Jan 26, 2017
To put things in perspective, it's important to remember that an S-Corporation is its own legal person, separate and distinct from its owners. When you, as a single person, elect to turn your LLC into an S-Corporation, you automatically wear two hats - that of a business owner and that of an... View More
I have an online based game for kids and young adults 13 and up. It's through an LLC registered in the state of Washington and I'd like to have many minigames including a monthly raffle for rare in game items and a weekly lotto. It would all be strictly a free in-game currency for virtual... View More
answered on Jul 6, 2016
Maybe. Online prize law is not a well developed area of law yet, and involves not only the consumer protection act, but banking and sometimes securities laws as well. The state statute RCW 19.170 (http://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=19.170&full=true) governs promotions, disclosures and... View More
We are a local chapter of Romance Writers of America in Washington state. All chapters nationwide are required to redo their bylaws this year. National RWA says having a vice president is optional, but chapters must meet the requirements of the state they are incorporated in. RCW 24.03.125 in the... View More
answered on Oct 8, 2015
Frequently, corporations statutes require this, but also provide that certain offices may be shared by the same person. Thus, if the Washington Nonprofit Corporation Act allows it, the offices of president and vice president, for example, could be held by the same person.
Is it illegal for my partner to tell everyone that i am bought out if it is not true? My partner has done so to our entire supply and contact list harming my credibility and it is not true, I am not bought out.
answered on Aug 29, 2015
More information about specifics is needed. A local lawyer can advise.
Please Take Notice: I am not your lawyer unless we enter into an engagement agreement in writing. This is general information that is given for legal education only. It is not legal advice, and it may not work for your... View More
What are our rights?
answered on Oct 30, 2012
You asked this question some time ago so perhaps you've already found the answer. The answer to your question depends somewhat on whether the co-signer also had a property interest in the vehicle (i.e., was his name also on the title?). If he is a co-owner then he may have equal rights to... View More
answered on Apr 6, 2011
"'Sole proprietorship' means a legal form of organization owned by one person meeting the requirements of RCW 18.04.195." Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 18.04.025.
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