American Law Flowchart

Bankruptcy

• Bankruptcy Overview
• Personal Bankruptcy
• Business Bankruptcy
• Preferences
• Negotiating with Creditors
• The Process of Bankruptcy
• Whether to Declare Bankruptcy
• The Effect of Bankruptcy on Your Credit

Business Formation

• Business Formation Overview
• Avoiding Personal Liability
• Choice of Entity: Corporation, LLC / Partnership
• Corporations
  • S-Corp. or C-Corp.
  • Corporate Structure
  • Meetings of Shareholders and Directors
  • Issuance of Shares
  • Corporate Bookkeeping
  • Shareholder Agreements
  • Corporate Tax
  • Where to Incorporate
• Partnerships
  • Partnership Agreements
• Limited Liability Companies
  • Operating Agreements
• Franchise Fees
• Opening Bank Accounts
• Income and Sales Taxes
• Investors and Private Placements
• Nondisclosure Agreements

Buying or Selling a Home

• Buying or Selling a Home Overview
• Brokerage Agreements
• Mortgage Commitment
• Due Diligence
• Inspections
• Contract of Sale
• The Mortgage Contingency Clause
• Condos and Co-ops
• Closings

Commercial Leases

• Commercial Leases Overview
• Important Terms
• The Security Deposit
• Assignments and Sublets
• Preparing the Leased Premises
• Real Estate Tax Escalations
• Utilities
• Fixtures
• Landlord's Approvals Should be Reasonable
• Personal Guarantees
• The Good Guy Clause
• Surrendering Possession

Contracts

• Contracts Overview
• The Elements of a Contract
• Opening Paragraph of the Contract
• Defining Each Party's Obligations
• Warranties & Representations
• Indemnifications
• Breach and Remedies
• Arbitration
• Contract Boilerplate
• Signature

Criminal Proceedings

• Criminal Proceedings Overview
• What To Do If You're Arrested
• Hiring a Good Criminal Attorney
• Plea Bargains

Estate Planning

• Estate Planning Overview
• Wills
• Living Trusts
• Estate Taxes
• Health Care Proxies

Employment Law

• Labor Law Overview
• Hiring Employees
• Placing Help Wanted Ads
• Interviewing Applicants
• Unlawful Discrimination
• Work Authorizations & Form I-9
• Employment Applications
• Employment Agreements
• Independent Contractors versus Employees
• Exempt versus Non-Exempt Employees
• State Laws Governing Employers
• Federal Laws Governing Employers
• Minimum Wage Laws
• Family Medical Leave Act
• Payroll Services
• Workers Compensation and Disability
• Keeping Employee Records Confidential
• Posting Required Employer Notices
• Covenants Not to Compete
• Proactive Policies to Reduce Risk and Expense
• Zero Tolerance for Hostile Workplace
• The Employee Manual
• Management Training
• Handling Employee Complaints Properly
• Benefits and Health Insurance
• Vacations, Sick Time, and Disabilities
• Progressive Discipline
• Terminating Employees
• Severance & Release Agreements

Family Law

• Prenuptial Agreements
• Grounds for Divorce
• Marriage Counseling to Avoid Divorce
• Do-It-Yourself Divorce
• Contested Divorces
• Disclosure of Finances
• Separation Agreements
• Custody and Visitation Issues
• Support Orders
• Judgment of Divorce

Insurance

• Insurance Overview
• Automobile Insurance
• Homeowners Insurance
• Umbrella Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Health Insurance
• Professional Malpractice Insurance
• Media Insurance
• Business - General Liability
• Business - Media Liability
• Business - Directors' and Officers' (D&O) Insurance
• Business - Product Liability Insurance
• Business - Professional / Malpractice Insurance

Intellectual Property

• Intellectual Property Overview
• Copyrights
• Trademarks
• Patents
• Licensing of Intellectual Property

Litigation

• Litigation Overview
• Federal Court or State Court
• Personal Injury Actions
• Breach of Contract Actions
• Actions for Fraud
• Landlord & Tenant Proceedings
• Medical Malpractice
• Damages
• Service of Process
• Statutes of Limitation
• Small Claims Court
• How to Choose an Attorney for Litigation
• Civil Litigation
  • Pleadings
  • Discovery
  • Motion Practice
  • Order to Show Cause
  • Motion to Dismiss or for Summary Judgment
  • Selecting a Jury
  • Trial
• Judges
• Appeals

Media Law

• Overview of Media Law
• Print Advertising
• Commercials for TV & Web
• Websites
• Defamation
• Appearance Releases
• FTC Regulations

Vehicle & Traffic Laws

• Vehicle & Traffic Law Overview
• Contesting Speeding Tickets & Other Moving Violations
• DUI