Maintaining a successful business begins with establishing an operation that abides by the proper state laws and regulations from the get-go. All it takes is one misstep with hiring compliance, license and permits, or tax filing, and your entire business can end up in serious trouble.

Whether you are a new business owner or have owned a business for some time, it is important to take inventory of your current practices to ensure you are complying with applicable business laws and maintaining an efficient, legal operation. Consider the following examples of areas every business owner must address in order to achieve long-term success.

Licensing and Permit Requirements

There are a number of businesses that require federal licensing, such as those involved with activities that are regulated by a federal agency. These business categories can include everything from commercial transportation and agriculture to the sale of alcohol or firearms. Even if your business is not related to anything regulated by the federal government, virtually every business needs to have a permit or license of some sort. The type of permits required for your company’s operation will depend entirely on your state’s rules, the location of your business, and any additional government rules that apply.

After months of searching for the perfect home, you have finally found it. You have made your offer, it was accepted, and now you are ready to move forward and complete the purchase. But before you can officially call a house your own, there is one final step in the process: closing. If you are a first-time homebuyer, the closing process can be intimidating. Fortunately, with a little knowledge and some preparation, it does not have to be so scary. Today, we will take a look at what happens during a typical home closing—and what role an attorney plays in it all.

What Happens During Closing?

Closing is the final step in purchasing a home. It involves signing all of the necessary paperwork to make the sale official and transferring funds from buyer to seller. At closing, both parties sign all relevant documents, such as loan agreements and deed transfers. The buyer pays any remaining balance due on their mortgage loan (if applicable), plus any other fees or taxes associated with the transaction. Once all documents are signed, the title is transferred to the new owner, and keys are handed over.

Who Is Present at Closing?

The individuals who attend closing vary depending on local regulations and practices—but generally speaking, buyers and sellers will both be present along with representatives from their respective lending institutions (if applicable) and the title company. Attorneys for both the buyer and seller may also be present. Additionally, anyone else who has played a role in helping you purchase your new home, such as real estate brokers, may also be invited or allowed to attend or observe the proceedings if they wish. 

While most businesses have anti-harassment and anti-discrimination policies in place, many still face harassment or discrimination lawsuits because they fail to enforce those policies. More often than not, these are for repeat incidents that have, for one reason or another, gone unresolved. However, recent reports from across the county suggest that there are more single-incident cases today than there were just mere years ago. This can mean serious trouble for employers who fall short in providing a safe workplace environment for all.

The Increase in Single Incident Cases

As the notion and importance of equality becomes more widespread, and as judges and juries become more sympathetic to the effects of workplace harassment, more and more are ruling “extremely serious” or “severe” single incidents as viable unlawful harassment cases. Under federal law, this places the employer on the hook for liability, and such employers may become responsible for damages considered due.

Even cases that are ultimately dismissed have their negative effects on a business. Because they often remain as pending cases longer than may seem necessary, harassment and discrimination lawsuits can drastically impact on employee morale and productivity, and they may even cause long-lasting damage to a company’s reputation. Litigation costs associated with discrimination or harassment claims may also prove to be costly, especially if the claim survives past summary judgment. All in all, it is a situation that every employer should try and avoid if and whenever possible.

Most people equate estate planning with writing a last will and testament. While a will is a crucial element of most estate plans, it is not the only estate planning instrument available. Individuals with complex estates, significant wealth, or special needs often require additional planning tools. An irrevocable trust is an estate planning tool that can be used to provide asset protection, tax benefits, and asset management. However, it is important to understand the advantages and disadvantages of an irrevocable trust before deciding to utilize it.

The Difference Between a Revocable Trust and an Irrevocable Trust

Trusts allow the trust maker, called the grantor, to transfer assets to the trust under the care of a third party, called a trustee. The trustee manages the assets and handles the distribution of assets to beneficiaries. Unlike assets distributed through a will, assets held in a trust usually do not have to pass through probate. 

Revocable trusts can be amended or revoked by the grantor at any time during his or her lifetime. In contrast, an irrevocable trust cannot be changed once it is established. 

Railroads are a crucial component of commerce in the United States as a whole and Texas in particular. There are more miles of railroad in Texas than in any other state and railroad companies in Texas are estimated to transport more than 8.8 million carloads of freight each year. Without railroads, the transportation of vital cargo would grind to a halt.

Unfortunately, despite the vital role they play in our modern society, railroad companies often become the scapegoat after a train accident or derailment. If your railroad company is facing litigation, it is important to take swift action to defend yourself, your company, and your workers.

Presenting a Strong Defense Against Accusations of Negligence

When a railroad accident happens, the injured party may file a lawsuit against the railroad company for various reasons such as improper maintenance of its equipment or failure to properly train its employees.