Schneiders & Associates Blog

Subscribe via RSS
Visit Blog
By: Schneiders & Associates, LLP

Blog Authors

Douglas W. Hathaway

Latest from Schneiders & Associates Blog

Commercial leases in California set the framework for the relationship between landlords and tenants, impacting everything from the day-to-day operations of a business to long-term growth. These agreements address critical details like rent, property maintenance, and tenant improvements. The terms are often complex, and how they’re structured can significantly affect the future of your business.…

As life evolves, so do your financial and family circumstances. Events like the birth of a child, acquiring new assets, or changes in relationships can impact the plans you’ve set for the future. While trusts are meant to provide security and clarity, they should be reviewed and updated when significant shifts occur. Amending a trust…

Deciding how to manage and protect your assets often comes down to choosing the right trust. In California, irrevocable and revocable trusts are the most popular options, each with unique features. Revocable trusts allow you to make changes as needed, while irrevocable trusts may offer stronger protection from creditors and tax benefits in certain special…

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), passed by Congress in 2017, introduced a number of sweeping changes to tax laws, one of the most significant being the substantial increase in the lifetime gift and estate tax exemption. Currently, this exemption allows individuals to transfer significant amounts of wealth—either during their lifetime or at death—without…

California’s Proposition 19, which took effect on February 16, 2021, has drastically altered the landscape of real estate inheritance and property transfers within families. For years, California families could pass down homes from parents to children while retaining the same low property tax assessments, allowing heirs to enjoy the benefits of relatively low taxes on…

To set up a brick-and-mortar storefront in California, you need to take several legal and practical steps that can significantly impact your business’s success. From choosing the right business structure to following local regulations, each decision is vital for getting your storefront ready for operation. Understanding California’s specific requirements, like zoning laws, commercial leases, and…

Connelly vs. Internal Revenue Service: A Critical Legal Development for Small Business Owners

Small business owners often rely on buy-sell agreements to ensure the smooth transition of ownership upon the death of a partner. These agreements, commonly funded by life insurance, provide a vital safety net, ensuring that the surviving owners can purchase the deceased…

Purchasing an existing business in California offers entrepreneurs a unique opportunity to enter the market with established operations, customers, and revenue streams. This path can prove less risky than starting from scratch but requires careful consideration and due diligence. Understanding key characteristics to seek – and red flags to avoid – can mean the difference…

Most people are familiar with the idea of “preventative” legal action. The term refers to anticipating legal issues and conflicts and working to prevent them rather than solving them or “winning” them once they occur. Companies can benefit from implementing preventative legal strategies as this approach is often less expensive than litigation, mediation, arbitration, and…