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Business Attorney Baron Law

The Difference Between Business As Usual And Bankruptcy. Here Are Two Ohio Laws That All Business Owners Must Know!

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Every business and every business owner should be aware if and how the Consumer Sales Protection Act (“CSPA”) and/or the Home Solicitation Sales Act (“HSSA”) effects their business. On the first day of law school, every new law student learns that ignorance of the law is no defense. The same applies to business owners. In the context of CSPA or HSSA violations, being unaware of the law, which in turn leads to noncompliance of the law, can open you up to thousands of dollars in damages, discretionary rescission of expensive contracts, and ruin your hard-earned professional reputation. The CSPA and HSSA are lengthy statutes which cover a multitude of business and scenarios and, as such, require an experienced hand to walk you through all the wrinkles and hurdles. If your personal knowledge of these statutes is lacking, never hesitate to contact an experienced Cleveland business attorney. A little forethought now, can save you a whole lot later.    

  • What is the CSPA and HSSA? 

The Ohio CSPA is located under Chapter 1345 of the Ohio Revised code. In a nutshell, the CSPA prohibits “suppliers” from committing unfair or deceptive acts or practices in connection with a “consumer transaction.” Naturally who is and is not a “supplier” and what is or is not a “consumer transaction” under the CSPA are pivotal first points of analysis. Further, the CSPA does not stand alone. The CSPA works in conjunction with Ohio’s HSSA. Again, to simplify everything, the CSPA is a list of things considered unfair or deceptive acts or practices and denotes potential avenues for redress of legal grievances for harmed customers. On top of the CSPA, the HSSA also provides an additional list of things considered unfair or deceptive acts or practices and denotes potential avenues for redress of legal grievances for harmed customers but with slightly different triggering circumstances, i.e. the existence of a home solicitation sale, hence the name, and different recovery options for customers.  

  • Why should business owners care about the CSPA and HSSA? 

Many businesses and industries are subject to the laws and requirements of the CSPA and HSSA without even knowing it. Thus, these businesses are running around selling services and completing jobs all the while exposing themselves to massive amounts of potential liability. Remember, ignorance of the law is no defense and all it takes is one persnickety consumer to ruin your whole fiscal year and eat all your profits through litigation.   

In the context of home improvement, residential contractors, HVAC, roofers, electricians, landscapers, concrete work, repairs companies, and other home sale situations, to name only few, if a company has committed an unfair and deceptive trade practice, a consumer often has 1) the right to cancel the agreement, 2) receive a full refund, and 3) depending on the circumstances may not even have to return any materials or pay for any labor already performed.  

The CSPA includes a non-exclusive list of specific acts and practices that are conclusively “unfair and deceptive” and therefore violate Ohio law. The CSPA, via the HSSA, also includes specific “home solicitation sale” remedies, one of which includes a statutory right to a three-day right to cancel period when the contract is signed at the consumer’s residence. Every seller must notify the buyer of his or her right to cancel the sale and provide the buyer with a “Notice of Cancellation” form that the buyer can use to cancel the sale, both the notice and the form to cancel have specific statutory requirements. If the supplier fails to include notice and proper language regarding this 3-day right in the contract or use the proper forms, consumers are entitled to cancel their agreement whenever they wish because the 3-day timer never started. Courts have said in these situations that the right to cancel never expired, even many years after the job was done. Only following the law by delivering proper documents does a supplier start the clock. In turn, this allows homeowners to bring a claim for a refund or to get out of paying money owed on a contract well after the two-year statute of limitations under the CSPA has run out. 

  • Recent changes in the CSPA and HSSA. 

As previously stated, the CSPA and HSSA together represent a list of unfair and deceptive trade practices which often triggers liability for the offending company. Ohio Senate Bill 227, which became effective on April 6, 2017, added a new practice to this list that is conclusively violative, as in if you do it, legally there is no discussion over whether it was “unfair and deceptive” under the CSPA, it just is. This new violation is: 

“[T]he failure of a supplier to obtain or maintain any registration, license, bond, or insurance required by state law or local ordinance for the supplier to engage in the supplier’s trade or profession is an unfair or deceptive act or practice.” 

In short, under current Ohio law, even the most careful and observant supplier can violate the CSPA/HSSA by failing to timely renew any registration, license, bond, or insurance that the supplier is required to maintain under state or local law. As such, ignorance can no longer be the standard operating procedure for services such as HVAC, electrical, plumbing or refrigeration work, and other suppliers of home services. Further, for businesses who use outside contractors or other temporary workers, the risk is even more severe. Now you must be sure not only are you and your employees bonded and licensed, but any contractors have the proper paper work as well, even though technically, they are not your employees. Often courts find the burden is on the business to make due diligence and ensure compliance, responsibility must fall somewhere, and it sure isn’t going to fall on the consumer. 

Furthermore, albeit a more minor change, Senate Bill 227 also updates the Notice of Cancellation requirements under the HSSA to include fax or e-mail options, which the supplier must provide. In turn, the customer/buyer can now cancel the sale by delivering the Notice of Cancellation “in person or manually” or by “facsimile transmission or electronic mail” to the seller. As such, even a minor oversight such as not including fax or e-mail cancellations options on standard forms can open up a world of litigation pain on an unknowing business. 

A law without consequences is a paper tiger. You may ask yourself, who cares if technically my business engages in unfair or deceptive acts or practices. Well, for CSPA and HSSA violations, often customers are entitled to triple damages and attorney’s fees, good for them, bad for business owners. No stretch of the imagination to see a couple of CSPA/HSSA lawsuits can kill a profitable business real quick. Notice, under Ohio law it doesn’t matter if failure of compliance was willful or inadvertent, the only thing that matters is did you break the law. This is why it is important to maintain a good and ongoing relationship with a local Cleveland business attorney. Often the legal requirements for local business are buried deep within local ordinances and administrative code. Remember, what you don’t know can hurt you and, just like everything else with a business, it is on owners to stay current, but most especially, compliant with any recent changes in Ohio law.  

 

Baron Law LLC Cleveland Ohio

I’m Thinking Of Incorporating My Business, What Is An S Corporation?

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Are you thinking of incorporating your business? Have you considered becoming an “S Corporation” instead. Cleveland Business Attorney Baron Law LLC offers you the following information to consider before making the choice. What are the advantages of becoming an “S Corp”?

Nowadays many businesses are taking advantage of incorporation to protect themselves and their owners. A common question is which type of business structure is best. Should I create an LLC, C-Corp, or S-Corp? Sole-Proprietorship? Partnership?

As with many legal and economic questions, the answer isn’t black and white. The reason there are so many options when forming your business is because every business venture is different and possesses different opportunities and issues. That is why a good business attorney is invaluable. Ultimately, knowing which type of business entity to create is best found out through experience, and a good Ohio business attorney will have the necessary experience to help you make the best decision. For this discussion, though, S-Corporations are the focus. “S-Corps” have been steadily rising in popularity in recent years and many small business owners are wondering if and how using this type of incorporation is right for them.

What is an S corporation?

An S corporation is a pro-profit corporate structure that elected to be taxed under Subsection S of the Internal Revenue Code. Such election subjects the corporation to “pass-through” taxation while still retaining many of the benefits of “regular” incorporation.

The first primary distinguishing characteristic of an S-Corp is the pass-through taxation. That is corporate income, losses, deduction, and credits pass through the corporation to its shareholders for federal tax purposes. Thus, the shareholders report the profits and losses of the S-Corp, which is proportionally assigned to each shareholder’s ownership interest, on their individual tax returns and are taxed at individual income tax rates. This effectively avoids the double taxation that regular C-Corporations are subject to.

The second distinguishing characteristic of an S-Corp is the relative difficulty in formation. That is, compared to making an LLC or a C-Corp, the IRS/Secretary of State is much more stringent with the formal requirements of an S-Corp. Consequently, the initial satisfaction of these requirements and the continuing obligations inherent in remaining S-Corp eligible means more paperwork and corporate legwork is needed compared to other corporate forms. Ensuring these requirements are met, every year, is a major reason why Ohio business attorneys are retained. Finding out during tax season that your business was in violation of the IRS code and was subject to a completely different tax structure may leave a company insolvent or unknowingly operating at a loss for the fiscal year. Not exactly a fun conversation to have with shareholders.

What are the requirements of an S corporation?

Per the Internal Revenue Service, to qualify for S corporation status you must first file for “regular” corporate status then elect to become an S-Corp by submitting IRS Form 2553, Election by a Small Business Corporation. In order to file IRS Form 2553, a corporation must observe the following formalities:

The business must be a domestic corporation or a domestic entity eligible to elect to be treated as one.

The business cannot have more than 100 shareholders. (Note, spouses and members of the same family, respectively, are treated as one shareholder.)

The business must only be comprised of allowable shareholders. Only permittable individuals, trusts, and estates under the IRS code. Partnerships, non-resident alien shareholders, and other corporations are not allowed.

The business must only have one class of stock. Generally, a corporation is treated as having only one class of stock if all outstanding shares of the corporation’s stock confer identical rights to distribution and liquidation proceeds.

Each shareholder consents to the S-Corp election and manifests such consent in writing.

The business is not an ineligible corporation for S-Corp election, that is certain financial institutions, insurance companies, possessions corporations, or domestic international sales corporations.

Furthermore, S-Corps must also observe more stringent internal corporate formalities. This proves to the IRS that the S-Corp election, and its accompanying advantages, are being used for legitimate business purposes and not to the detriment of the public or for ill-gain. The logic is if shareholders are willing to follow the rules in regard to corporate management, then probably the business isn’t stealing or hurting people. Some of the required formalities for S-Corporations include: adopting corporate bylaws, issuing stock to shareholders, holding an initial director and shareholder meeting, holding the same meeting at least once a year, and recording and storing meeting minutes within corporate records. An experienced business attorney can draft a comprehensive business plan to follow and assist in its implementation.

What are the benefits of an S corporation?

Asset Protection

All corporations, like LLCs, C-Corps, and S-Corps, provide their owners/shareholders with limited liability protection. Limited liability means that the owners or shareholders personal assets are protected from claims of the creditors of the business. This includes claims that also arise from contract disputes and litigation, either the cost of defending or prosecuting litigation or via adverse judgments against the business. Without this shield, which comes from filing and choosing to operate a business via a corporate form, debts of the business attach to the individuals running the business. In light of this big personal risk, most people would choose not to operate a business. This is why a Cleveland business attorney is so important, these attorneys ensure that the required corporate formalities are followed so the limited liability shield is recognized by the courts and creditors and can protect you.

Pass-Through Taxation

As previously mentioned, S-Corps are classified as pass-through business entities. As such, they avoid double taxation that C-Corps are subject to. Double taxation occurs when dividend income is taxed at both the corporate level, when the business receives the profits, and at the shareholder level, when the shareholder receives their proportionate share of the business dividends. Instead of the IRS getting two bites, with S-Corps they only get one. Further, additional corporate benefits such as business income, tax deductions, losses, and certain credits also can pass through the S-Corp to the shareholders.

Deciding to incorporate and choosing which type of corporate structure to operate as are big decisions. The particular type of corporate form you go with fundamentally affects how you will run and manage your business. A business attorney is in the best position to advise and assist in making the best decision. Regardless of how you incorporate, any comprehensive corporate formation will include, at minimum, an operating agreement, certificates of membership, articles of incorporation, EIN number, subscription agreement, recommendations, and appropriate filing fee. For existing and soon-to-be corporations alike, make sure you have all these documents, failure to do so could cost you thousands of dollars down the line.

You don’t have to be rich to protect what you’ve spent a lifetime trying to build. To find out whether a trust is right for your family, take the one-minute questionnaire at www.DoIneedaTrust.com. There are a number of different trusts available and the choices are infinite. With every scenario, careful consideration of every trust planning strategy should be considered for the maximum asset protection and tax savings. For more information, you can contact Mike Benjamin of Baron Law LLC at 216-573-3723. Baron Law LLC is a Cleveland, Ohio area law firm focusing on estate planning and elder law. Mike can also be reached at mike@baronlawcleveland.com.

About the author: Mike E. Benjamin, Esq.

Mike is a contracted attorney at Baron Law LLC who specializes in civil litigation, estate planning, and probate law. He is a member of the Westshore Bar Association, the Ohio State Bar Association, the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, and the Federal Bar Association for the Northern District of Ohio. He can be reached at mike@baronlawcleveland.com.

Disclaimer:

The information contained herein is general in nature, is provided for informational and educational purposes only, and should not be construed as legal or tax advice. The author nor Baron Law LLC cannot and does not guarantee that such information is accurate, complete, or timely. Laws of a particular state or laws that may be applicable in a given situation may impact the applicability, accuracy, or completeness of the preceding information. Further, federal and state laws and regulations are complex and subject to change. Changes in such laws often have material impact on estate planning and tax forecasts. As such, the author and Baron Law LLC make no warranties regarding the herein information or any results arising from its use. Furthermore, the author and Baron Law LLC disclaim any liability arising out of your use of, or any financial position taken in reliance on, such information. As always consult an attorney regarding your specific legal or tax situation.

Baron Law Cleveland Ohio

DBA What Does It Stand For And Does My Business Need One?

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Cleveland, Ohio, business law firm, Baron Law LLC, Cleveland, Ohio, answers questions on what a DBA (aka “Doing Business As”) is and should you set your business up in this manner. For more comprehensive information contact Baron Law Cleveland to schedule an appointment to discuss the different ways you could set up your business and what would be most beneficial to you. 

I recently sat down with an immigrant from Africa who said one of the amazing things about America is that anyone can run a business doing anything. We likely take it for granted that the industrious and entrepreneurial here can chase their dreams while in other places such freedom to pursue economic endeavors is lacking. This freedom to create and operate your own business, however, is not the wild west. With freedom comes the opportunity for malicious or incompetent business practices, just ask anyone unfortunate enough to employ a shady auto mechanic, landscaper, or financial planner. That’s why to protect the public, lay down some semblance of order, and make ways to address misconduct and grievances, Ohio law has rules on how businesses can be run. These rules are partially why starting up a business is such a complex process with a lot of moving pieces and paperwork. Thus, retaining an experienced Ohio business attorney will ensure the proper foundation is set so your business can succeed and grow.

DBAs, i.e. doing business as, sometimes referred to as Fictitious Business Names or Assumed Business Names, are a product of consumer protection laws. Naturally, with the ability of anyone to make a business and also operate under a business name, often people don’t know who they are actually working with or who they hired. The potential for confusion and pseudo-anonymity with small businesses leads to risks for consumers. Namely, the inability to pursue legal remedies for misconduct simply because they don’t know the identity of who to complain about or who is ultimately liable. This is why Ohio law incentivizes the use of DBAs and business registration for small business and punishes those who don’t

Trade name v. Fictious Name

In the legal world minor details often have big outcomes regarding procedure, responsibility, and liability. Whether you’re operating under a trade name or fictitious name can make a big difference. Under Ohio law a trade name means a name used in business or trade to designate the business of the use and to which the use asserts a right to exclusive use. You file with the Ohio Secretary of State to reserve your trade name so no other business can use it or claim it as their own.

Fictitious names, on the other hand, means a name used in business or trade that is fictitious and that the user has not registered or is not entitled to register as a trade name. These are not required to be distinguishable from the records of any other previously registered name and provide no protection or ownership of the name. Facially, the differences between trade and fictitious names appear simple, but the consequences for not having either can be dire for business owners. Talk with a local Cleveland area business attorney to find out the how and why about the different methods of business registration.

Operating without a trade or fictitious name

In Ohio no person doing business under a trade name or fictitious name shall commence or maintain an action in the trade name or fictitious name in any court in this state or on account of any contracts made or transactions had in the trade name or fictitious name until it has first complied with Ohio law. See O.R.C. § 1329.10 (B). What this means for those operating without filing a DBA or a trade name is that these business owners are prevented from suing or counter-suing in the name of their business until the filing requirements are satisfied.

In the real world this means those operating without registered names can’t sue on delinquent debts, can’t sue over contracts entered into on behalf of the business, and can’t raise counterclaims in defense if the business is ever a defendant in a legal proceeding. This is the carrot and stick of Ohio law. If you prefer to operate without a registered business name, leading to potential customer confusion and greater chance for misconduct, than you aren’t allowed to fully exercise the legal rights of your business. Granted, though registration compliance allows retroactive enforcement of business rights, the time wasted recognizing, fixing, then filing upon newly reinstated rights can be crippling within a litigation context. Time wasted properly filing a DBA or trade name can mean the passing of a statute of limitations, missing a discovery cut-off, and/or the relinquishment of affirmative defenses. This is why finding and working with an Ohio business attorney when you’re starting a business or facing significant business growth is so important. I hear it time and time again from small business owners, “I wish someone would have told me that.”

How to file a trade, fictitious name, or DBA

The filings are relatively straightforward. You can use the forms provided on the Ohio Secretary of State’s website and file a trade name registration or report the use of a fictitious name. DBA’s, however, are not filings recognized by the Ohio Secretary of State. The use of trade names or reporting of fictitious names are similar to how DBA’s operate and largely accomplish the same purpose.

The devil is always in the details. Small business owners know the struggles of being pulled in a thousand directions at once and operating with a full schedule every work day. The last thing you need on your plate is dealing with complex legal issues that could have been, and should have been, addressed when your business was being created. A few filings and minor filing fees afford your business a lot more legal protection than most people realize. Hopefully, your business runs without a hitch and you never have to lean on these protections. For those business owners not so lucky, however, the legal protections which come from filing properly and being compliant with Ohio law can mean the difference between business longevity and filing for bankruptcy.

About the author: Mike E. Benjamin, Esq.

Mike is a contracted attorney at Baron Law LLC who specializes in civil litigation, estate planning, and probate law. He is a member of the Westshore Bar Association, the Ohio State Bar Association, the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, and the Federal Bar Association for the Northern District of Ohio. He can be reached at mike@baronlawcleveland.com.

Disclaimer:

The information contained herein is general in nature, is provided for informational and educational purposes only, and should not be construed as legal or tax advice. The author nor Baron Law LLC cannot and does not guarantee that such information is accurate, complete, or timely. Laws of a particular state or laws that may be applicable in a given situation may impact the applicability, accuracy, or completeness of the preceding information. Further, federal and state laws and regulations are complex and subject to change. Changes in such laws often have material impact on estate planning and tax forecasts. As such, the author and Baron Law LLC make no warranties regarding the herein information or any results arising from its use. Furthermore, the author and Baron Law LLC disclaim any liability arising out of your use of, or any financial position taken in reliance on, such information. As always consult an attorney regarding your specific legal or tax situation.


Baron Law Cleveland Business Attorney

How Do Businesses Collect a Debt?

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Cleveland, Ohio, business law firm, Baron Law LLC, Cleveland, Ohio, answers questions on the laws which need to be followed when attempting to collect a debt.  For more comprehensive information contact Baron Law Cleveland to schedule an appointment if you have found yourself in a situation where you are unable to collect a debt.

Unfortunately, people don’t pay their bills on time, sometimes not at all. This is just a reality of business. Tenants fail to pay rent, purchasers don’t pay in full, and business associates don’t uphold their end of the bargain. Naturally, the human reaction is to immediately go after wrongful parties and get what you’re owed. In reality, however, debt collection is not a simple and straight forward process. That is why third-party collectors are often used. However, over the many decades and centuries of business, whether a legitimate debt was owed or not, these collectors went too far in attempting to right a wrong.  In response, nowadays there are rules and regulations governing debt collection practices to prevent misconduct. As such, cavalier or aggressive debt collection practices can, ironically, make a legitimate debtor liable for more than the debt they are trying to collect on. This is why contacting the services of a local Cleveland area business attorney is so critical. A single lawsuit over debt collection misconduct can ruin a quarter, but longtime or routine debt collection misconduct can lead to bankruptcy via litigation.   

  1. What laws apply when I’m trying to collect a debt? 

The three main laws that every third-party debt collector should be aware of when collecting debts is 1) the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, 2) the Ohio Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, and 3) the Consumers Sales Practices Act.   

  • FDCPA – this federal law limits the behavior and methods of third-party debt collectors who are trying to collect a debt for another, whether a real person or otherwise. Within are rules regarding timing, method, and form of contact, causes of action for misconduct, and duties of specialized debt collection personnel.  

 

  • OFDCPA – This Act primarily concerns the legal conventions and guidelines that must be observed when a debt is assigned for collection by another, i.e. a third-party creditor. The Ohio FDCPA adds additional safeguards to the Federal FDCPA in order to ensure assignees of debts are legitimate businesses with legitimate credit claims.   

 

  • CSPA – this law primarily provides causes of action for deceptive trade practices, of which debt collection is regularly a context. Various Ohio courts have said that various violations of the FDCPA constitute a violation of the CSPA in that the purpose of both acts is to prohibit both unfair and deceptive acts and any violation of the FDCPA is necessarily an unfair and deceptive act or practice in violation of the CSPA. 

 

What are the things I can’t do when collecting a debt? 

Simply, a third-party debt collector cannot engage in deceptive trade practices. What is a deceptive trade practice is a much litigated issue. However, the particulars of what conduct constitutes a deceptive trade practice are too numerous to go over here, but a local Ohio business attorney will be more than happy to fill you in on the details and makes sure you’re not violating State and/or Federal law.  

The short answer though, in the context of debt collection, is that a deceptive trade practice is an activity by an individual or business that is meant to mislead or lure a debtor into paying a debt that isn’t owed, paying more than is owed, attempting to collect in an aggressive, harassing, offensive manner or failing to follow proper form when communicating with a debtor. Within the FDCPA, OFDCPA, and CSPA, there are sections which explicitly state that a violation or one or more provisions of the law is conclusively a deceptive trade practice thus justifying damages.  

How much lability could I be facing for improper debt collection?  

Just under the FDCPA alone, any debt collector who fails to comply with any provision of this law with respect to any person is liable to such person in an amount equal to the sum of 

(1) any actual damage sustained by such person as a result of such failure; 

 (2) additional damages up to $1,000; and/or 

 (3) reasonable attorney’s fees if the court finds them justified. 

 

How do I make sure I’m not breaking the law when trying to collect?  

State and federal law must be followed to the letter when attempting in collect on a third-party debt. An Ohio business attorney can create a compliant debt collection program, complete with compliant forms and communications, to ensure any legitimate debt isn’t consumed by legal damages.  

There are, however, some standard methods to remain compliant under state and federal law. 

  • Mini Miranda Notice – the law requires that any debt collector inform a debtor in the initial communication that “this communication is from a debtor collector. This is an attempt to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.” This is commonly called the mini-Miranda and puts the debtor on notice of who they are speaking with and why. If the first communication with the debtor is oral, this notice must be given orally and included in the first written communication. Regardless of who initiates communication, this notice must be given.

 

  • Debt Validation Notice – every third-party collector must within 5 days of the initial communication send the debtor written notice containing the following:  

1) the amount of the debt,  

2) name of creditor that’s owed the debt,  

3) statement that unless the consumer, within thirty days after receipt of the notice, disputes the validity of the debt, or any portion thereof, the debt will be assumed to be valid by the debt collector, 

(4) a statement that if the consumer notifies the debt collector in writing within the thirty-day period that the debt, or any portion thereof, is disputed, the debt collector will obtain verification of the debt or a copy of a judgment against the consumer and a copy of such verification or judgment will be mailed to the consumer by the debt collector, and 

 (5) a statement that, upon the consumer’s written request within the thirty-day period, the debt collector will provide the consumer with the name and address of the original creditor, if different from the current creditor.  

 The purpose of this notice is to inform debtor of important rights, timing deadlines, and authenticity of the debt being pursued.  

 It is never fun for either the debtor, creditor, or collector to pursue an outstanding debt. Feelings get hurt, lives are disrupted, and valuable business resources and time is wasted. Therefore, it is wise to ensure that state and federal laws are not being broken on top of all that. Throwing potential litigation in with the contentious profession of debt collection begs for trouble.  As such, wise debt collectors retain the counsel and guidance of experienced business attorneys to enable them to focus on recovering debts, not worrying about compliance with government rules and regulations.  

 You don’t have to be rich to protect what you’ve spent a lifetime trying to build. To find out whether a trust is right for your family, take the one-minute questionnaire at www.DoIneedaTrust.com. There are a number of different trusts available and the choices are infinite. With every scenario, careful consideration of every trust planning strategy should be considered for the maximum asset protection and tax savings. For more information, you can contact Mike Benjamin of Baron Law LLC at 216-573-3723. Baron Law LLC is a Cleveland, Ohio area law firm focusing on estate planning and elder law. Mike can also be reached at mike@baronlawcleveland.com.  

Helping You And Your Loved Ones Plan For The Future

About the author: Mike E. Benjamin, Esq.  

Mike is a contracted attorney at Baron Law LLC who specializes in civil litigation, estate planning, and probate law. He is a member of the Westshore Bar Association, the Ohio State Bar Association, the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, and the Federal Bar Association for the Northern District of Ohio. He can be reached at mike@baronlawcleveland.com.   

 

Cleveland, Ohio estate planning attorney

Grantor vs Non-Grantor Trusts

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Cleveland, Ohio estate planning attorney, Daniel A. Baron, offers information on the differences between and Grantor and a Non-Grantor Trusts and further considerations to as part of your Tax and Estate Plan:

Baron Law Cleveland

Understanding tax benefits and pitfalls of a trust and putting together a trust which is most beneficial for your personal situation is best left to an experienced trust attorney who can explain the differences in trusts and customize your Estate Plan.

Consequently, understand that the term used; Grantor Trust and Non-Grantor Trust are important.  These terms mean very different things but are both associated with tax implications.

The Grantor is the party who establishes the trust and maintains control while living and mentally capable.

Some examples of Grantor Trusts

  • Revocable Living Trust
  • Dynasty Trust
  • Grantor Retained Annuity Trust (GRAT)
  • Spousal Access Trusts
  • The majority of Irrevocable Trusts
  • Defective Grantor Trust (IDGT or DIGIT)

When setting up your trust as part of your Estate Planning, tax planning is an integral part of each and every plan and is as individual as you are.

Planning for Tax implications

How is the trust going to be taxed? Does the American Tax Relief Act of 2012 (ATRA) affect the taxes of your trust?  By setting up a Grantor Trust you can realize a number of tax advantages.  Some of these advantages are but not limited to:

  • Sell assets to the trust and not have to pay for the gains of the sale
  • Loan money to the trust – keeping in mind that the trust must pay the minimal IRS interest rate; however the income recognized from the interest is not taxable to you
  • The trusts income tax, paid by you (the Grantor), is not viewed as a gift to the trust

Plain and simple, the assets of the trust grows, which in turn benefits the beneficiaries without paying income tax. Essentially this is a tax free gift.

Non Grantor Trust

A Non-Grantor Trust is where the donor of the assets relinquishes all control within the trust. The donor of the trust funds is not a beneficiary or a trustee and has no input on how the funds are disbursed or controlled.  When the donor establishes a Non-Grantor Trust (aka irrevocable trust) they give up their rights to amend, revoke, or terminate the trust as this now becomes the functions of the trustee(s) either acting by themselves or with a Trust Protector.

Although the assets used to establish the trust were once owned by the donor, they are now owned by the trust. Any income being generated from the assets now is the sole responsibility of the trust.  As is with the Grantor Trust, any distribution to a beneficiary must now the proper IRS forms issued and provided to the recipient.

When a non-grantor trust is established it becomes a taxable entity and a Federal Employer Identification Number is issued. This also means that an income tax return needs to be filed on behalf of the trust each year.

Understanding tax benefits and pitfalls of a trust and putting together a trust which is most beneficial for your personal situation is best left to an attorney who can explain the differences in trusts and customize your Estate Plan. Contact Daniel A Baron of Baron Law Cleveland, Ohio at 1-216-573-3723.

Cleveland Estate Planning Attorney

What is a Trust Protector?

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Cleveland, Ohio estate planning attorney, Daniel A. Baron, offers information on a Trust Protector and their Role and benefits realized as part of your Comprehensive Estate Plan:

Who is a Trust Protector?

As it sounds, a Trust Protector is appointed to oversee the assets in the trust and to protect against the trustees so that they do not give into temptation and embezzle from the trust or squander the assets of the trust with unnecessary fees or legal issues.

Having a Trust Protector typically was only used with the upper echelons of society but some may say that if there is a trust, there should be a Trust Protector.   It is wise to appoint a Trust Protector especially in cases that the trust will be a long term trust such as:

  • Trust for your spouse so that they will live a certain lifestyle after you pass
  • Your children, grandchildren, or other heirs, that need to reach a goal in life prior to releasing the funds of the trust
  • Charitable goals – what is your legacy

Upon setting up a trust and should the trust have more than one trustee, there is a possibility of issues coming up which are believed to not be in the best interest of the trust. Having a Trust Protector can potentially quash any conflicts which may arise.  In addition, a Trust Protector can be very beneficial in other instances where conflict may arise.

Can I appoint anyone to be my Trust Protector?

You can appoint anyone you would like to protect your trust. Some ideas may be:

  • Someone who is close to your family
  • A Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
  • An attorney
  • Corporate Entity or Bank
  • Financial Planner CFP

What are the duties of a Trust Protector and Why would I need one?

Additional duties of a Trust Protector are, but not limited to:

  • If the trustee or trustees are performing in such a manner that is not advantageous to the beneficiaries of the trust OR are being unresponsive, the Trust Protector has the authority to remove the trustee and replace them if necessary.
  • Should any disputes or conflicts arise between the trustees, the Trust Protector’s Role is to resolve the disputes.
  • If there is a change of status with any of the beneficiaries, it would be the Trust Protector’s responsibility to update the trust accordingly.
  • Should there be any new beneficiaries which needed to be added, the Trust Protector would make the necessary changes to the Trust.
  • The Trust Protector also has VETO power of any financial / investment decisions which may not be in the best interest of the trust and it’s beneficiaries.
  • If the laws governing trusts change, the Trust Protector has the ability to amend the trust if the changes are advantageous to the trust.
  • The Trust Protector can manage the amount of money the trustees can spend by setting a dollar amount and/or requiring two signatures on a check before it can be released. The dollar amount will be predetermined upon the penning of the trust so that all the trustees and the Trust Protector are aware of this stipulation.
  • The Trust Protector has the ability to dissolve the trust for specific reasons such as;

 

  • There are no more funds in the trust as they have been released to the heirs as set forth in the trust and will

 

  • The goals of the heirs have been met and all the funds are released therefore leaving no assets in the trust

It is wise to put in writing what role you would like the Trust Protector to have handling your assets. To start a discussion  on your personalized comprehensive estate plan, including; living wills, trusts, power of attorney, or a pour-over will, or further questions on a Trust Protector, contact Daniel A. Baron of Baron Law.  Baron Law provides estate planning services for the greater Cleveland, Ohio area.  Contact us today at 216-573-3723.

Living Will

Do I need a Living Will?

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Cleveland, Ohio estate planning attorney, Daniel A. Baron, offers the following regarding living wills:

Before you can answer this question you must first understand what a Living will is and what purpose it serves.

A Living Will is one form of Advance Directive which clearly defines your wishes for medical care should the following occur:

A Living Will clearly states your health care intentions.  This document allows you to make decisions while still cognitive such as:

  • Whether or not you wish to be put on life support, even if for a very short time
  • Would you would like to receive pain medication of any kind
  • Is it you desire to have any nutrition available by means of a feeding tube

The Living Will document also allows you to list any further specific instructions for your care if you become fully incapacitated.

Another form to consider securing in conjunction with a Living Will is a Health Care Proxy which is a specific Power of Attorney. A Health Care Power of Attorney authorizes a specific person you have chosen to act on your behalf to make all medical decisions (or to make sure that your medical wishes in your Living Will that you have set forth are followed), in the eventuality that you are no longer able to make these decisions yourself.

It might be in your best interested to have both a Living Will and a Power of Attorney which will set forth comprehensive guidance when it comes to your medical care in the end stages of life.

Things to consider when completing these documents:

  • Who do I want and trust to make my health care decisions when I am no longer capable of making them on my own?
  • What kind of medical treatment DO I or DON’T I want?
  • How comfortable do I want to be when my life’s journey is coming to an end?
  • How do I want people to treat me?
  • What do I want my loved ones to know?

Having a Living Will is only one part to a comprehensive estate plan.  For information regarding living wills, trusts, power of attorney, or a pour-over will, contact Dan Baron of Baron Law to make an appointment at 216-573-3723.

Cleveland, Ohio Attorney

What is Business Succession?

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Whether you’re planning for retirement or the life of your business after your death, it’s imperative to develop a business succession plan to sooner rather than later.   There is no “one plan fits all” when it comes to developing a succession plan for your business.  And given that the economy is constantly changing, it isn’t surprising small business owners focus their energies on business survival, future growth, and even remaining active in business after retirement.

Business succession is about three things (1) Estate planning; (2) Retirement; and (3) Risk Management.

Estate Planning

Your estate plan should be incorporated into your business succession plan.  What will happen to your company assets after you die?  Who will run your business?  If you want to provide for your family using your business assets, you should consider at the very least having a last will and testament.  Carefully drafting your will allows you to select desired beneficiaries, elect an executor, and transfer your assets through probate.  Your family will be going through a difficult time.  Setting up a last will and testament in advance helps your family during that difficult time.

Retirement

When thinking about retirement, it’s important to consider your options when selling your business.  Will you sell with a lump sum, installments, mix, employee buy-out, or merger?  There are numerous options when planning for your retirement and taking advantage of the business you built.  Thus, business succession is about planning for your exit strategy.  To learn more about your options, visit this article.

Risk Management

Business succession is about limiting your risk.  If you have partners within your company, you should be aware of the risks involved.  For example, if your partner gets divorced, their spouse is entitled to the partner’s share in the business through the divorce proceedings.  If your partner dies, you can now be partners with their spouse or estate.  One option to avoid this potential risk is to create a buy-sell agreement through a cross purchase agreement or entity purchase agreement.

Business succession is an important idea that every business owner should consider.  Contact your Cleveland, Ohio business succession and estate planning attorney for more information on how to set up your plan.  You may also consider contacting Cleveland, Ohio law firm Baron Law LLC at 216-573-3723.

 

Business succession plan

Creating a Business Succession Plan – Cross Purchase Agreements

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Creating a Business Succession Plan – Cross Purchase Agreements

Whether you’re planning for retirement or tragedy, having a business succession plan is imperative for business owners.  Big business or small, planning for the financial stability of your partners and employees can mean the difference between business as usual and leaving your spouse bankrupt.   Moreover, understanding the value of your business can affect your decision to sell, retire, or leave a legacy.  Cleveland, Ohio estate and business planning attorney Dan Baron has the following remarks to help you secure your financial future.

One way to create a succession plan is through a “cross purchase agreement.” Two concepts stand at the root of all cross-purchase buy-sell agreements: protection and fairness. A surviving business owner wants to be protected from interference by outsiders when a co-owner dies. Concurrently, a business owner wants to assure fair treatment of his or her heirs in the event of death.

Step One – Choose a Successor

Unless you’re selling your business – where you would normally sell to the highest bidder – picking a successor isn’t easy.  Many factors determine whether a succession plan is necessary and sometimes it can be as easy as passing the business down through a family member.  When choosing a successor, there may be several partners or family members from which the owner will have to choose, each with various strengths and weaknesses to be weighed and evaluated.  In this case, lasting resentment by some or all of those not chosen may result, no matter what choice is ultimately made.  Outside of a family business, partners who do not need or want a successor may simply sell their portion of the business to their partners in a buy-sell agreement. Talk with a Cleveland, Ohio estate planning or business succession attorney to learn more.

Step Two – Evaluate the Value of the Business

As mentioned, your succession plan may be as simple as selling it off.  But no matter whom the intended successor may be business owners must establish a set dollar value for the business, or their share of it. This can be done via appraisal by a certified public accountant (CPA) or by an arbitrary agreement between all partners involved.  Tax attorneys and business succession attorneys may also assist in the business evaluation process.  Estate planning lawyers and accountants use various metrics for evaluation business including sales, stock value, liquidity, profits, reoccurring contracts, EBITDA (Earnings before Interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization), cash flow, and more.   In addition, your estate planning attorney may evaluate your business using a number of other methods including asset based or income based evaluations.  For corporations, where the portion of the company consists solely of shares of publicly traded stock, the valuation of the owner’s interest may be determined by the stock’s current market value.

Step Three – Cross Purchase Agreements

A cross-purchase agreement is a tool used by business owners to assure that “business as usual” continues if co-owner dies. Like an entity or stock redemption agreement, the cross-purchase buy-sell agreement stipulates that:

  • A deceased owner’s estate must sell the business interest to surviving owners, and
  • The surviving owners will buy that interest.

There are no exceptions—the estate must sell and the survivors must buy.

Creating a cross purchase agreement is commonly used a usually starts with creating a life insurance policy. Once a set dollar value has been determined for the business, life insurance is purchased on all partners in the business. Then, in the event that a partner passes on before ending his relationship with his partners, the death benefit proceeds will be used to buy out the deceased partner’s share of the business and distribute it equally among the remaining partners.

A cross purchase agreement is structured so that each partner buys and owns a policy on each of the other partners in the business.  Each partner functions as both owner and beneficiary on the same policy, with each other partner being the insured; therefore, when one partner dies, the face value of each policy on the deceased partner is paid out to the remaining partners, who will then use the policy proceeds to buy the deceased partner’s share of the business at a previously agreed-upon price.

Example: How a Cross-Purchase Agreement Works

Let’s say for example that there are three partners who each own equal shares of a business worth $3 million, so each partner\’s share is valued at $1 million.  The partners are getting older and want to ensure that the business is passed on smoothly in the event one of them dies. Thus, they enter into a cross-purchase agreement. The agreement requires that each partner take out a $500,000 policy on each of the other two partners. Now, if one of the partners dies, the other two partners will each be paid $500,000, which they must use to buy out the deceased partner\’s share of the business.

One limitation to be noted here is that, for a business with a large number of partners (five to 10 partners or more), it becomes impractical for each partner to maintain separate policies on each of the others. There can also be substantial inequity between partners in terms of underwriting and, as a result, the cost of each policy.

Cross purchase agreements are just one of many ways to ensure a business’s legacy.  For more information on estate planning or business succession, contact Cleveland, Ohio attorney Daniel A. Baron at Baron Law.  Contact a lawyer today by calling 216-573-3723.  You will speak directly with an Ohio attorney who can help you with all your estate planning needs.