Starting a New Maryland Business? When Should You Hire?

Many new Maryland business owners start off with little more than a great idea and lots of effort. Infrequently do they have the financial resources to hire employees. But at some point, additional people - either partners or employees - are necessary in order for the new business to grow. When should the new business owner hire help? For more information, please contact Maryland business lawyers at The Kramer Law Firm at 301-296-4445.

Purchasing Your Existing Business: Buying a Good Business

Financing a business: one of the best ways to invest your capital (and also the best way to find other investors) is to purchase a pre-existing business for sale.

How Does a Maryland LLC Protect My Business?

The most common question I get from new business owners is "How Exactly Does an LLC Protect Me?"

Handshake Agreements

You don't think you need a written contract or any agreement in writing. After all, you're starting a business with your best friend who is honest and reasonable. What could go wrong?

CHANGE TO AN LLC

Minimize potential litigation and other risks by forming or starting an LLC. Owners can change to an LLC from a corporation, a sole proprietorship, a partnership, or virtually any other corporate form. Here's some background to to begin the process.

Eight Ways Maryland Small Business Owners Can Weather the Recession

Even in a bad economy, there are many actions that Maryland small business owners can undertake to reduce costs, increase revenue and avoid risk. Contact the Rockville, MD-based Kramer Law Firm for more information at 301.296.4445.

How the Estate Tax Compromise Affects Maryland Small Businesses

Small business costs and uncertainty were reduced -- for at least two years -- by the recent estate tax compromise which established new exclusions and rates for taxation of inheriting family-owned businesses.

Is Your Maryland Will Valid?

In order for a will to be valid and admitted by a court for probate, it must meet several statutory requirements, including proper witnessing, attestation and testator capacity.

Court finds LegalZoom Deceptive and Unqualified

The consent decree entered into by one-size-fits all do-it-yourself legal site Legal Zoom in Washington state highlights the risk and dangers in using boilerplate legal forms prepared by non-attorneys. The errors contained in such forms regularly result in costs and liability which far exceed the upfront promised savings.

Small Business Tax Relief on the Way

Yesterday the US Senate passed the "Creating Small Business Jobs Act of 2010" Once reconciled with a House of Representatives version and signed into law by President Obama, the measure will provide the nation's small businesses with tax relief and greater access to credit markets.

The Three Steps of Choice of Entity

The initial and most important decision facing a new business owner is a task often referred to as “choice of entity" -- whether to operate the endeavor as an LLC, a partnership or a corporation. However, it is important to understand that choice of entity requires three types of analyses, each of which is entirely different from the others. When considering choice-of-entity, owners should do all three analyses and then, if there are any conflicts among them, reconcile these conflicts.

What's a Maryland B Corporation?

The State of Maryland recently enacted the nation's first B corporation statute. This new form of for-profit business entity seeks to maximize the social welfare benefit of all stakeholders (employees, owners and the public) and relieves corporate board members of potential liability for failing to maximize shareholder interest alone.

The End of the Billable Hour?

Both clients and lawyers dislike the uncertainty and vagueness of billing by hour. The Kramer Law Firm is among the leaders in the field to recognize this problem and institute multiple alternative billing methods, including flat fee engagements. Please call 301.961.1503 for more information.

The Small Business Advantage in a Bad Economy

Small business' flexibility is an asset in surviving the recent economic downturn. Such firms are often progressive and nimble allowing owners to side-step the cumbersome bureaucracy and fossilized credit markets that toppled industry giants.

Contract Negotiating Tips for Maryland Small Businesses

Several considerations must be made by small businesses when negotiating and drafting contracts to avoid risk and liability. The Kramer Law Firm counsels LLCs and all types of small businesses in risk-reducing contract negotiation. Call 301.961.1503 for more information.