Wednesday 27 December 2017

Tips In Choosing a Lawyer For Your Business

Every business, no matter the size or industry, needs solid legal representation. A lawyer will play a key role in corporate formation, contracts, employee policies, and other matters. But how does an entrepreneur determine who to invite into the fold?

Image source: Pixabay.com

Hiring a business or corporate attorney can be a daunting process, especially for first-time entrepreneurs. Here are some tips for landing the right person and achieving a mutually beneficial long-term relationship: 

What is the type of lawyer you need? 
It’s important to consider the individual entrepreneur’s specific needs. For general legal counsel, a business attorney is a good option and can connect with specialists whenever needed. 

Ask questions during initial consultation. 
These questions are just some that will reveal if the attorney is a good fit for the company. How many years have you been practicing? Who is your typical client, and are they like me? What are the types of fee arrangements, and how often will my bills be due? Will you be my primary point of contact? 

Big or small firm? 
Generally, the larger the firm, the greater the overhead, which means that the business owner will be expected to pay higher hourly rates. . Startups may not be a high-priority for larger players. 

Find someone who understands your niche or market. He or she should have familiarity with your industry, how your business operates, and how you see yourself growing in the future.

Image source: Pixabay.com 

Dan DeKoter is a practicing lawyer and a partner at DeKoter, Thole, Dawson & Rockman, PLC. Learn more about legal matters on this page.

Monday 27 November 2017

Adoption In The United States: Facts And Figures

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What many people fail to consider about adoption is that it is a long, legal, and expensive process. They discover this when they find a family law attorney to brief them on the matter. But no matter how complicated it is, thousands of couples find that the effort is well worth it. Here are some facts and figures on adoption in the United States.

·In a survey conducted by the U.S. government, one out of every 25 families with children have an adopted child. Around 85-90% of the families who have adopted children have done so with the help of a family law lawyer.

·Around 40% of children who are adopted are part of the U.S. foster care system. This system is the most common process, and many say is also the simplest.

·Around 15% of children who are adopted come from a different country. Intercountry adoption is much more complex way of adoption and would require a lawyer to handle all the legal matters.

·A little under 120,000 kids are part of the foster care system. They are all waiting to be adopted.

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·The average age of a child up for adoption is 7.5 years.

·Not all adoption agencies are legitimate. Couples are highly cautioned and recommended to pursue background checks on the agencies. Adoption lawyers would be a great help with this.

Dan DeKoter is an attorney based in Dickinson, Iowa. One of his firm’s areas of expertise is family law and adoption. For more about family law, visit this website.