Father-and-son or mother-and-daughter businesses are all about families working together for generations. These businesses, when they succeed, can have a longstanding place in their communities. If you are the parent and owner of a business and your children have entered into the business with you, you may be surprised to learn that there are some legal issues with passing the business on after your death. Likewise, if you are the son or daughter of a family business, you may be concerned about what happens after your parent(s) has/have passed.

Part of being a small business owner is handling contracts between you, vendors, and customers. Unfortunately, disputes do occur from time to time and it is sometimes best to include arbitration in your contract. If you are thinking of including an arbitration clause, here is what you need to know. Should You Include Arbitration? Depending on the state in which your business operates, you might be required to include an arbitration clause in your contracts.

The word "probate" can invoke fear and dread in many people. Probate can be a lengthy, contentious and expensive process. No one wants to deal with drama, the disposition of an estate that takes years to resolve, or an astronomical bill from a probate attorney. However, in most cases, the probate process doesn't take very long. There are only a few circumstances in which the probate process becomes complicated, such as when a will is contested, the estate has continuous income or the estate is very large and owes income taxes.

In an effort to track employees to make sure they are using time wisely, when managing a company's image and when evaluating future candidates, employers might overstep their boundaries and violate your privacy. If you are concerned with keeping certain aspects of your life private, there are things you can do to protect yourself. Employers Often Monitor Employees If you use company computers that provide you with access to the Internet, your employer may be monitoring your online activities with automated software.

If you are the inventor of a product, the first thing you need to do before sharing it with the world is file for a patent. A patent will protect you in the event that someone else tries to make and sell your product without your permission. However, getting a patent can be a difficult process. Here are three things you need to know about getting a patent. 1. Getting your patent application approved - or denied - can take a long time.