Friday, May 14, 2010

Learn About Litigation Support Services

In order to learn about litigation support services, you first have to have some knowledge about what they actually are, and what they do. These services are for attorneys who need some consultations and advice with any current or pending cases they may have. They cover a wide range of support depending on the needs of the attorney, and can be quite an invaluable asset when sought out.

The support these services can provide may cover areas like documentation of facts, or determining damages, or things like research and precedents. They can be as small as a single individual practicing or a whole team of consultants who cater to a large firm. But the service they provide really helps keep attorneys up to speed in the areas that they assist them with.

A huge part of what they provide, is time for the attorney to deal with the case at hand, while they do the legwork to get the supporting information the attorney will need, and cover all the bases as to what the attorney needs to know in relation to this specific case. They uncover anything that might be relevant in the case, and check things against current laws that will be involved in the case at hand.

We all know how in a lot of cases, even if a verdict is rendered, there may be a possibility of appeal. When you learn about litigation support services then you'll find out that they do a great deal of work exposing any new information that may have come to light during a trial and can be used as a basis for appeal.

There are various types of people who involve themselves in these support teams. Researchers are some of the most important, as are the criminal scientists. If you have a college degree, regardless of what area it may be in, you can qualify as a researcher. All you have to be able to do is sift through a lot of information and pull out what can be used by the attorney at trial.

These services are not just found working for trial case lawyers, but can be found in all the various stages of litigation. From mediations to resolution proceedings, these services earn their money, and assist the attorney in whatever the goal is at this time. They may be called upon to prepare evidence, to see that it's presentation is within the rule of law.

They may find themselves working with videography and electronic transcripts in today's new age of technology. They also work with clients to analyze their risk, and to see if their situation actually calls for litigation or not. Wherever litigation happens, these support services earn their money. The success or failure of a case can many times hang on one little piece of information that may not otherwise have come to light. When you put a 'team' on the case, you can't help but get better results.

Litigation support services and attorneys are like two peas in a pod. They need each other and their work is weaved together like a brilliant tapestry. Legwork, information, and consultation are the main factors to the support services. And believe me, whatever they make, they're worth it.

Finding the best [http://www.aldersonreporting.com/]litigation support is crucial to succeeding in the legal community. Our superior [http://www.aldersonreporting.com/]litigation support services involve providing stellar documentation, information, and consultation to all clients.

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Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Learn-About-Litigation-Support-Services&id=3558098] Learn About Litigation Support Services

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Texas Limited Liability Company - The Four Types of Texas LLC Entities

Texas has one of the most comprehensive LLC laws in the United States. This is because the TX lawmakers know that this kind of legal entity can be used for many purposes to offer serious benefits and advantages to its owners.

While many states only offer one kind of LLC entity, the Texas Limited Liability Company Act, found under Title 3, Chapter 101 of the Texas Business Organizations Code, authorizes 4 distinct types that can be formed in Texas.

DOMESTIC TEXAS LLC

The domestic type is the most popular choice and is used primarily for operating a small business. There are no limitations on the purpose and so it can also be used for other purposes such as asset protection planning, joint ownership of property or for investment.

Any person over the age of 18 can form one and this kind can have a perpetual life. If the owners desire to limit the duration, it can be limited in the domestic Texas LLC filing documents.

PROFESSIONAL TEXAS LLC

The Texas Limited Liability Company Act has specific provisions enabling the creation of a professional entity to provide licensed professional services. This kind of entity has more limitations in that the business purpose is limited to providing specific types of licensed services and owners of the business entity usually have to be professionals licensed to provide the relevant service.

NON-PROFIT TEXAS LLC

Unlike most other states, Texas specifically allows for a non-profit limited liability company. Section 2.002 of the Texas laws addresses what this kind of entity can engage in. Purposes include charitable, educational, and religious ones.

This is the preferred choice for fraternities and trade associations as well. If the business entity is seeking tax exemptions, it is important that you consult with an accountant to ensure compliance under the Internal Revenue Code.

FOREIGN LLC IN TEXAS

A foreign LLC is one that is organized in another state but desires to conduct business in Texas. There is an entire section of the Texas laws that address the regulation of a foreign LLC. First, it needs to file for a certificate of authority with the Texas Secretary of State.

Owners of a foreign LLC can be subject to fees and penalties for failure to comply with the Texas foreign law requirements.

AUSTIN BUSINESS VALUATION

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For small business, the domestic LLC is the right choice of [http://www.texasbusinessformation.com/texas_limited_liability_company.htm]Texas limited liability company entities.

For a FREE Texas LLC Guide summarizing the Benefits to Business Owners or for a FREE Texas LLC Name Search: http://www.TexasBusinessFormation.com. Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Texas-Limited-Liability-Company---The-Four-Types-of-Texas-LLC-Entities&id=2063601] Texas Limited Liability Company - The Four Types of Texas LLC Entities

Monday, March 8, 2010

Starting A Small Business And Writing A Business Plan

If you want to have your own business you should follow a few important tips. Don't start a new business without a business plan. This is one of the most common mistakes. Without a good plan it's impossible to create a successful business.

Remember that your main goal is to make money. Think who would be interested to buy your products or services. Make a plan for advertising your business. This is the first step to achieve your goal.

You business plan should include the capital you have for advertising and for the other costs. The best thing is to have the investment money from before. If a bank will loan you the money than calculate how much you need every month for it.

Make a list with all the expenses you will have and try to calculate what you would have to earn to pay them. Try to make realistic goals. If you get to the conclusion that you will have difficulties paying your bills you should reconsider. May be you
need to open a smaller business.

To be able to make a realistic business plan you could ask other people with experience. Try to find someone with the same type of business. Ask him how much profit can he make and if it's possible to pay his bills in time.

Show your business plan to your accountant. He might help you make some changes. Keep in mind that in any business there is a risk. The smartest thing is to make that risk as small as possible.

For a good business plan you also need the ability to anticipate change. Do your best to adapt your business to the client's needs. You initial business plan should be written with a pen. This way you can make changes or add new things.

To understand your prospective business you can try to work for someone else for a few months. Only after that you can make your business plan. By doing this you will gain the experience to start a new business. Try to observe what type of clients you
will have. This will help you realize where you need to focus more.

Test your product or service before you start. Try to understand your market first. If your product is well received than it's safe to start your new business.

At beginning it's better if you don't need too many people to work for you. Wait fist to see how much profit you can make. In time you can expand your business and hire more people. Choose carefully the people you will hire. They need to have good
ethical values. It's also important that they have the perfect skills for the job. Try to hire people you know and admire.

To have financial control you need to learn more things about accounting, computer software and cash flow management. All the businesses are focused around these things. Try to learn as much as possible and you will be able to control your finances better.

By John Don About the Author: Please visit http://www.ausbusiness.net/ and http://www.business-startup.biz/ for more information on this topic. Source: http://www.isnare.com Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=432936&ca=Business

Friday, March 5, 2010

Starting a Business? Protect Personal Assets Through Business Entity Formation

Author: Shannon Cavers

Many small businesses start as a part-time effort that grow over time, and eventually become a profit generating venture. One of the difficult questions for a small business owner is, “When do I need to form an entity?” A follow-up question is which type of entity to form such as a corporation (sub-chapter S or C Corporation), limited partnership (LP), limited liability partnership (LLP), or limited liability company (LLC).

The business person who is a sole proprietor should be aware that his/her liability is virtually unlimited. When you do not have the protection of an entity under which your business operates, it is your personal assets that are at risk. Therefore, if a party were to sue you, your personal assets would be exposed. Many states, such as Texas, offer homestead protection so that creditors cannot foreclose on an individual’s home, but such laws vary from state to state.

The formation of a legitimate business entity offers varying forms of protection for a business person’s personal assets. Entity formation is the process wherein one establishes an entity authorized to conduct business within a certain jurisdiction. In Texas, one would file entity formation papers through the Secretary of State’s office. Each state has a government office that handles entity formation. Generally, an entity can be created for as little as $50-$250 per application. Though this step often occurs later as a business grows, it is a small financial investment to make early on. Creating an entity also gives your business credibility in that you have taken the steps to define it as a functioning entity. The most common entity formed by a new start-up business is the LLC (Limited Liability Company). Limited liability companies are designed like partnerships, and therefore suitable to small businesses, but have asset protection similar to a corporation. When your entity is set up you will also receive a tax ID from the state comptroller. Therefore, you will likely have to file a franchise tax return in your state(s) of operation. You should also request a federal tax identification number (FEIN). You may want to consult a CPA to determine which type of entity offers the most tax advantages in your state.

The other component in protecting personal assets is to purchase business liability insurance. Most insurance carriers have business divisions which write general liability insurance polices. Contact your current carrier and see if you can obtain insurance this way. Additionally, you may be covered under your homeowner’s policy depending on the business you are in, anticipated revenues, and the potential exposure. Speak with your insurance carrier to find out what you need to do to protect yourself.

You can apply for the entity yourself or with the aid of an attorney. As mentioned earlier, you should speak with a tax attorney or CPA about which entity offers you the best tax advantage in your state.



Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/home-business-articles/starting-a-business-protect-personal-assets-through-business-entity-formation-102118.html

About the AuthorShannon Cavers is a Houston Business and Divorce Lawyer practicing in business, divorce, family law and probate. More information and articles can be found at her website at Cavers Law Firm

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Starting an LLC in Texas: Three Major Benefits


Author: Amyli McDaniel

Starting an LLC in Texas is a smart move for most business owners. A Texas limited liability company is one of the best creations of the Texas legislature. It provides business owners with a solid layer of protection from limited liability and the most tax choices of any other legal entity.

The Texas LLC is About Limiting Liability

First and foremost, the main reason for starting an LLC in Texas is to allow you to start a business without exposing yourself to substantial risk of loss for engaging in such a rewarding endeavor.

Without a limited liability legal entity, you could operate your business as a sole proprietorship but you would be exposing everything you own to risk of loss. Everything means everything- your home, cars, hard earned personal savings, jewelry, and anything else you own.

The Texas limited liability company provides a fundamental layer of protection between owners of a business and the business obligations and liabilities. While this is such a great thing or small business, this layer of protection does have some limitations. But having it is greatly preferred to not having any insulation from business related liability and lawsuits.

Tax Choices

The tax choices you receive when starting a Texas LLC is the second reason why the Texas limited liability company is popular among small business owners. The IRS passed the popular Check the Box regulations in 1997 which allows the business to decide for itself how it wants to be taxed.

After those tax regulations were passed, a limited liability company can now receive limited liability and allow its members to manage the business while at the same time qualifying for a single layer of pass through taxation for federal income tax purposes.

In addition, for those businesses which prefer corporation taxation, a Texas limited liability company can elect C corporation or S corporation taxation if it chooses and still get the simplicity and flexibility of a Texas LLC without the formalities of a corporation under state law.

Please note that in Texas there is no state income tax but the business entity may be subject to a franchise tax. You can visit the Texas Comptroller office for more details on this tax.

Professionalism

An official Texas legal entity exudes an official and professional business to the public. After all, the owners of the business took the effort to start a Texas LLC by complying with the state laws and completing the organization process.

In the world today where anyone can come up with a business name and call themselves a business, having an LLC as your business entity goes a long way in differentiating your business and reducing the risk in the eyes of your customer that you are not a serious or trustworthy business.

Requirement for Starting an LLC in Texas

The overall Texas requirements are still straightforward and given the number of Texas limited liability companies formed each year, many, many business owners are taking advantage of the benefits.

The most challenging part of starting an LLC in Texas is coming up with a name that is available for use in Texas. This is challenging for two reasons. First, there are many names already being used in Texas. Second, the Texas state agency that determines name matters is very strict about allowing a name that is too similar to another name.

For example, Texas is famous for the two name rule. If your LLC name has two words that are identical to two words in another Texas legal entity name, it cannot generally be used even though there might be an added third word. For example, the name Lawn Doctor Houston, LLC cannot be used if there is already being used any of the following names: Lawn Doctor, The Fastest Lawn Doctor, or Lawn Doctor and Nurse.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/law-articles/starting-an-llc-in-texas-three-major-benefits-476799.html

About the AuthorFor a FREE Texas LLC Name Search or to Learn More about
Starting an LLC in Texas, visit
www.TexasBusinessFormation.com

Thursday, October 15, 2009

5 Reasons to Start Your Business in Texas

#1 Texas has a pro-business tax climate.
Texas has one of the lowest corporate tax rates in the United States. California and New York have the highest taxes on companies in the US and they don’t have enough money to pay for their governments.

#2 Texas has the most globe-focused manufacturing and distribution sector in the United States.
Globalization has made it possible for entrepreneurs to serve markets in not just their immediate community, region, or country but the whole world. If your ambition is that encompassing, Texas might be a good place to start with export sales at $69,268 per worker—the highest of any state.

#3 Texas has low labor cost.
Texas has low labor cost which include the lowest workers' compensation costs of any state. Low labor cost is vital to the profitability of manufacturing and distribution.

#4 Texas has a lower cost of living.
The cost of living in texas is much lower than almost every state in the nation. The same job that would generally only cover the cost of apartment living is the same cost ratio as the cost of home living. The state also lacks an income or capital-gains tax for individuals.

#5 Texas ranks first in the number of Fortune 500 companies.
This shows the measure of attractiveness to large companies and is an indication of a strong infrastructure. Texas’ central location and time zone also make it an ideal hub, especially for companies with a national distribution or customer footprint. Recently, companies such as Toyota and Caterpillar have located portions of their manufacturing and distribution business in Texas.

Today's businesses are asking for more than basic tax and accounting services. With offices in San Antonio and Austin Padgett, Stratemann & Co. offers business planning, advisory and work-force solutions that keep pace with your company's growth potential. Visit: http://www.padgett-cpa.com/