Expertise
BUSINESS FORMATIONS
Corporations , Limited Liability Companies & Conversions
Business clients of the Law Office of Erin R. Parks receive corporate and limited liability company formations on a flat fee basis which include confirming entity name availability; preparing and filing initial organizational documents (Articles of Incorporation or Articles of Organization [with or without Statement of Conversion]); preparing Plans of Conversion (if necessary); preparing operating documents (By-laws or Operating Agreement), notices and minutes of initial meetings; establishing a corporate entity’s Minute Book; and completing securities exemption documents.
Partnerships
Formal partnership agreements are essential because they outline the basic information of partnership businesses. They are advantageous to help partners avoid complications and confusion concerning their roles and duties within their companies. Inadequate partnership agreements can land partners in litigation. Erin helps partners create written partnership agreements that address all significant legal issues that may arise in the future. For example, guidelines on how to solve disputes between partners; or how to dissolve a partnership if one of the partners dies, becomes disabled or decides to retire. Erin facilitates agreements between partners to prevent contentious situations.
ASSET SEGREGATION STRATEGIES
Erin R. Parks’ extensive experience in estate planning and real estate matters compliments individuals and corporate owners who benefit from advice on the most effective way to segregate assets.
Business owners and directors are common targets of claims by customers, suppliers, employees, lenders and business competitors, and often these claims extend to government agencies such as the IRS, California’s Employment Development Department or Division of Worker’s Compensation. These business owners need to insulate their personal assets from liability-producing businesses, even if the business is a corporation.
Any professional could exceed their professional liability limits under their insurance policy, or experience full liability if their carrier goes out of business. Likewise, anyone who owns rental real estate is a magnet for lawsuits and a high degree of frivolous claims. Exposure to this owner can be great given the possibility of serious injury to tenants, their guests and workers along with ever-increasing liability for toxic problem lawsuits involving mold or other hazards. Insurance is a must but catastrophes can exceed limits and toxic liability is often excluded from coverage. These owners need asset protection to limit their liability to the value of the single property.
Even those not falling within the above risk groups should seriously consider some level of asset protection. Any driver could have auto accident which might involve damages exceeding their insurance coverage, and be in jeopardy of losing their personal assets.
Anyone with assets in excess of the current federal estate tax exemption needs asset protection to reduce the value of their assets for estate taxation purposes. This is achieved through the use of irrevocable trusts, family limited partnerships and limited liability companies.
