How do you deal with legal issues relating to your business?

I personally see three options when it comes to this subject. Please take a moment to drop by my profile on sta.rtup.biz and add me as a friend after you leave a comment with your answer to today's question.

1) HANDLE IT YOURSELF...
It has been said... "A man who represents himself before the Justice System, has a fool for a lawyer."

A few thoughts on handling it yourself...
- Most people would rather go to the dentist than to hire an attorney. We fear their exorbitant fees and become discouraged.
- Without an attorney, you could lose your business and/or your life's savings.
- Even if you don't have a business,this world has become a place where you need an attorney.
- We need legal information to be able to make informed decisions. Most giant corporations and the people who head them have lawyers on retainers, usually the best money can buy.

Simply put, from time to time it is necessary to talk to someone who knows the law, in order to help us in everyday life whether we're in business for ourselves or not.

2) HIRE A LAWYER...
Having an attorney empowers you. The sad thing is that problems occur everyday to people who cannot afford to have legal representation.

Here is a list of the Most Common mistakes people make when choosing an attorney
a) Not checking a lawyer's area of expertise.
b) Not receiving all fees in advance.
c) Not discussing availability.
d) Hiring the first attorney you find.
e) Not meeting in person.
f) Doing someone a favor.
g) Not being prepared.

3) USE A $26 A MONTH LEGAL SERVICES PLAN...
Many small businesses and individuals prefer to go with a monthly service like this because it allows you to have everything you need at your fingertips with a low monthly rate. You can read more about their plans at the pre-paid legal service website.

Here's what you get with a basic plan that costs about $26 a month.
a) Unlimited phone consultations
b) Contract and document review
c) Will preparation
d) Motor vehicle benefits
e) Trial defense
f) IRS legal help

"Until recently, average Americans couldn't afford to pay an attorney for everyday legal matters. But Pre-Paid Legal is making equal justice under law come alive for every North American."

Tags: businessopportunity, justice, lawyer's, legalplans

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Comment by Christine on April 30, 2009 at 4:48pm: This sounds like a great idea!

I will certainly check into it!!

Thanks so much for the info!!!

Comment by JenniferLynn Productions on April 28, 2009 at 12:35pm: I've been considering pre-paid legal for years, even before I started my business. I was not aware it was available to business owners. I will definitely be considering this!

Jennifer Moore
JenniferLynn Productions, LLC

Comment by Chuck Dodge on April 26, 2009 at 6:00pm: My choice is to use Pre-paid Legal. I used it this past week to have a contract reviewed.Also, I help other people get the benefits of the program. www.prepaidlegal.com/hub/chuckdodge

Comment by Ms. Park on April 23, 2009 at 4:20am: Affordable pre-paid legal plan will be great tools for those who struggle with legal issue
every days of their life.

Park
www.Jewelrywithgem.com

Comment by L Green on April 20, 2009 at 5:14am: We've used prepaid legal also. We have the home based business rider for a nominal additional charge. It comes in handy for reviewing contracts and it was great when we need a lawyer to evict a tenant. Well worth the money and peace of mind.

L Green
We Invest In You Inc
http://www.winuinc.com

Comment by Ovidiu Staicu on April 16, 2009 at 3:55am: Up to a certain level I try dealing with it myself - doing the required homework in advance. After that the legal advice comes in useful. The decision on where the threshold is depends really on the complexity of the issue and the risks involved.

Comment by cpack on April 16, 2009 at 12:33am: Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc has helped alot of people even us. Those who couldn't afford a $300 an hour Lawyer. Even for the simple things you wouldn't think about asking they will answer them for you. www.yukon2.biz Great Plan and come and make some friends and grow in to a family.

Comment by Lawrence Qua Hock Seng on April 15, 2009 at 5:03pm: Yor legal attorney solutions, sound nice - but the company I worked have their own panel of legal lawyers and legal adviser. I am in Properties, commercial and Real Estate, in Investment, Buy Sell/Rent. I am marketing an MM2H (MAKE MALAYSIA YOUR 2ND HOME) Plans. See my profile for more info and details.

Comment by Debora Brown on April 15, 2009 at 4:30pm: I have friends that are lawyers and the best advice they have shared with me is to hire specific attorney representation based on the need at hand. For instance: If your business has vehicles then accident attorneys are best. If you have an HR dispute then hire a Human resources attorney. If you have invester discrepancies then hire a banking lawyer, etc.

You will find however that the pre-paid attorneys will in fact offer specifics if requested. AND at $26.00 a month...that is a steal!

ALWAYS...AND I MEAN ALWAYS MAKE SURE THAT THE SPECIFIC NEED IS REPRESENTED BY AN ATTORNEY WITH THE PROPER LEGAL KNOWLEDGE!

Comment by Dennis Joe on April 15, 2009 at 2:25pm: here is another one, and btw, I usually do the legwork myself!

Someone sent me this (true) story.

Nothing is impossible for someone who doesn't know it can't be done.

A case in point: Once upon a time, there was a very rich man who was getting somewhat long in the tooth. He'd had a long, wonderful life… and… now… he wanted to leave his considerable fortune to his three daughters. They had married well. The rich, old guy had great affection and respect for all three of the gentlemen his daughters had chosen to marry.

So he boogies on down to the offices of the law firm which handles all the legal details of his business affairs. He tells his attorneys what he wants to do… and… that's when he began to learn the harsh realities of the probate, estate and inheritance laws here in this great land of America. These laws (like many others in the U.S.A.) are flat out insane. But, in truth, the probate laws in our wonderful country… are truly special. They are (naturally) ridiculously complex. But, when you boil them down to their essence, it all amounts to this: Whenever the guy upstairs decides it's time for you to check in the "Check-Out City," the process of transferring your money, property and all other forms of your wealth to your loved ones (or, even to your favorite charities) will involve:

(A.) A very long and totally ridiculous legal process.

(B.) Giving a ridiculously high percentage of your wealth to one or more unworthy, scum bag

attorneys and…

(C.) Giving the U.S. Government another ridiculous, unfair and huge chunk of your net worth.

After his attorneys explained all this to him, the rich, old guy was not a happy camper. Being a God-fearing man, he decided to express his feelings in a Biblical manner. Then, he looked up at this team of high-priced attorneys and spoke thusly…

This Sucketh !

He then asked if all the laws pertaining to probate could be found in the legal books his attorneys

had in their private law library. They answered him in the affirmative. Then he asked if he could be left alone in the law library for a few hours every day during the coming week. His attorneys (behind his back, of course) rolled their eyes heavenward… but nevertheless… they granted his simple request.

Hey, what could it hurt? The old man had been a good client for many years. Why shouldn't they humor him?

And thus, it came to pass, the old man closeted himself in the firm's law library for the better part of a week. After that, he courteously thanked his attorneys and informed them they need not concern themselves with this area of his affairs any longer. The attorneys (sensing a loss of income) tried to dissuade him. But, alas, they could not.

The old man returned home and went about his business. He decided to throw a huge party to announce his retirement. He invited hundreds of people (including his attorneys) to this gala event. There was wine, food, music, other forms of entertainment, good conversation and, in general, a fine time was had by all who attended. When the party was at its peak, the rich old guy asked the musicians to take a break so he could mount the stage, pick up the microphone and make a few comments. He thanked everybody for coming. He briefly described (with humility) the highlights of the rich, good life with which God had blessed him. He had a wonderful wife, three wonderful daughters, wonderful friends, a wonderful business, and, he had enjoyed excellent health. No man, he said, had been more blessed. The only smudge on his otherwise wonderful life was that…

The Three Men His Daughters

Had Chosen To Marry Were

Crooks, Thieves, And All-Around

Unethical, Dishonest Scum!

He went on and on about this. The partygoers were astonished. They all thought the old man had respected and even loved the three men his daughters had married. How could he be saying these awful things? In public? At an event where everyone was being video taped?

From time to time, individuals in the crowd would sneak a peek at the three young men who were being so unfairly depicted. They seemed remarkably composed, as did their wives, (the old man's daughters) during this tirade.

Anyway, shortly after the old man had had his say, the party seemed to lose its festive atmosphere. All the guests went home… and… no one was surprised when, a few days later, a front page story in the local newspaper… about… how those three, maligned young men were suing the rich old guy for everything he had.

No one was surprised when they won their lawsuit either. After all, they had hundreds of witnesses… and… even a high quality video tape of all the old guy's libelous and public statements.

And so, it came to pass that all the old men's wealth was lost in this vicious lawsuit. His three sons-in-laws GOT IT ALL! which, of course, they shared with their wives, whom they loved very dearly. And, believe it or not, they even found a way in their hearts to "forgive" the old man… and… they gave him a generous (very generous) allowance so he could exquisitely enjoy the golden twilight years of his life. And, guess what, his daughters, their husbands and, his grandchildren had all this money and…

Nobody Had To Pay A

Penny In Inheritance Taxes!

Or income taxes!

Or state taxes!

Or capital gains taxes!

Or property taxes!

Or… any other type of taxes whatsoever!

Why? Simply because, all the money that is won in a lawsuit for damages is always 100% tax-free!

Bet your attorney never told you that, did he? I wonder why? No, it's probably not because he doesn't want you to know. More likely… it's simply that he's so "brain dead," he has no clue about the significance of this fact.

But that rich, old man… who didn't know… it was impossible to avoid these unfair probate laws… went ahead and avoided them anyway. Please… let me say it again…

Nothing Is Impossible For A

Person Who Doesn't Know It

Can't Be Done!