2009
Showing 97–112 of 678 results
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Ask the Advisor – Q. Should I sell my company in an auction?
October / November 2009
Newsletter: Merger & Acquisition Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 434
Abstract: To attract substantial buyer interest when putting a business up for sale, sellers might want to consider an auction. This competitive sale process is designed to get the best possible price and most attractive terms. Advantages include speed, higher prices, and the presence of backup bidders.
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How to sell your sale to employees
October / November 2009
Newsletter: Merger & Acquisition Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 604
Abstract: Just because selling owners are thrilled to have found a good buyer doesn’t mean their employees will greet the news with the same enthusiasm. In fact, there may be negative reactions and even strong resistance. Left unchecked, employee dissatisfaction can depress a deal’s ultimate value — and in extreme cases even cause its collapse. So it’s important to plan how to sell the sale of the company to these critical stakeholders, which includes communicating with candor and introducing high-performing individuals to their new managers so they can initiate a working relationship before the deal closes.
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Performance anxiety? Earnouts can help
October / November 2009
Newsletter: Merger & Acquisition Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 713
Abstract: Given the current state of the U.S. economy, it’s not surprising that both business buyers and sellers are entering M&A transactions with increased trepidation. One way to get the deal done is by using an earnout, which sets a company’s purchase price according to how well it performs after it’s sold. It can be especially useful in bridging valuation gaps or overcoming negotiation stalemates in which the parties disagree about the company’s future profitability. But there are potential pitfalls, so participants need to ensure the agreement protects their interests and anticipates potential conflict.
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Manage risk the right way
October / November 2009
Newsletter: Merger & Acquisition Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 750
Abstract: Risk management has become a big concern for both business buyers and sellers during the recent economic downturn. More than ever, companies pursuing an M&A transaction need to adequately account for the possibility that their deal will fall through before it’s complete or fail to meet postmerger objectives. There are many different kinds of risks, but this article shows that there are also a number of strategies buyers and sellers can take to minimize the risk of catastrophe. A sidebar looks at two ways to prevent stock market volatility from destroying a deal between public companies.
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Don’t just build a Web site, optimize it
Fall 2009
Newsletter: Law Firm Management
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 419
Abstract: Attracting prospective clients to a law firm’s site takes a well-strategized and -executed marketing plan. Central to that plan is search engine optimization (SEO) — which means maximizing the firm’s ranking among Internet search engines so that its site appears among the top search results. This short article offers tips on how to do just that.
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E-billing benefits law firms, too
Fall 2009
Newsletter: Law Firm Management
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 529
Abstract: In-house legal departments typically prefer electronic bills to paper statements because they save companies considerable time and money. Despite some technology and training costs, e-billing can benefit law firms as well. But many are still dragging their feet making the transition, or if they have an e-billing system they’re reluctant to use it. There are, of course, some drawbacks to e-billing, but it offers faster payment, reduced errors, improved marketing opportunities, and a positive environmental impact. And, more and more clients are demanding it. Eventually, almost all firms will be expected to bill clients electronically.
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To merge or not to merge? Good question!
Fall 2009
Newsletter: Law Firm Management
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 846
Abstract: Mergers often help firms realize their strategic objectives. However, if not done for the right reasons, they can be a source of frustration and lead to a firm’s demise. This article looks at some of the right reasons — and some of the wrong ones, as well. It lists several ways to minimize the pitfalls, while a sidebar describes seven would-be deal breakers.
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Why you must address partner compensation challenges
Fall 2009
Newsletter: Law Firm Management
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 793
Abstract: In this recessionary environment, many firms are finding that their pie has stopped growing or even has shrunk — and that partner compensation has become a contentious issue that perhaps even threatens the firm’s viability. A firm isn’t safe just because its compensation plan is merit-based. Many firms that have a merit-based plan on paper don’t have one in practice. So top performers may be more tempted to jump ship, while less revenue, more layoffs, and tight credit further challenge plan viability. There are a number of specific steps a law firm can take to answer these challenges — but such steps must be effective over the long term.
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Estate Planning Pitfall – You haven’t named backup beneficiaries for your life insurance policies
October / November 2009
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 286
Abstract: A life insurance policy’s beneficiary designation is extremely important but easily overlooked. Many people make the mistake of naming their estate as beneficiary, which can result in needless expense and delay. As this short article explains, the solution is to designate at least two backup (or contingent) beneficiaries.
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You, your noncitizen spouse and your estate plan – Use a QDOT to preserve marital deduction benefits
October / November 2009
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 620
Abstract: For married couples, the unlimited marital deduction is a powerful estate planning tool that allows an unlimited amount of assets to pass (through lifetime gifts or bequests at death) to a spouse free of gift and estate taxes — if the spouse is a U.S. citizen. If not, however, one can have assets transferred estate-tax free at death to a qualified domestic trust (QDOT), with the noncitizen spouse receiving the trust income during his or her lifetime. But there are pros and cons to be considered, along with international treaties that address estate taxes.
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For a healthy estate plan, know the HIPAA privacy rules
October / November 2009
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 795
Abstract: Health issues play an important role in a variety of estate planning situations. Typically, many estate planning documents and document provisions are triggered by a physician’s certification that a person lacks the capacity to make decisions. But this requirement may be at odds with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). HIPAA privacy rules prohibit physicians, hospitals and other health care providers from discussing a patient’s condition or releasing his or her medical records to third parties without the patient’s written consent. To ensure timely acquisition of the necessary information, it’s important to ensure that estate plan documents are written with HIPAA requirements in mind.
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GRATs: The long and short of it
October / November 2009
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 932
Abstract: The grantor retained annuity trust (GRAT) can be a powerful estate planning tool. But the appropriate length of a GRAT’s term is at times a source of confusion among people planning their estates and a subject of debate among experts. There are important differences between short-term and long-term GRATs; to decide which is best, a person needs to factor in his or her age, health, and risk tolerance, along with the IRS’ Section 7520 rate of return, the nature and projected performance of the assets being contributed, and the availability of valuation discounts (which this article discusses in a sidebar).
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First-time homebuyer tax credit set to expire Dec. 1
October / November 2009
Newsletter: Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 268
Abstract: Those who are ready to purchase their first home should consider doing so before Dec. 1. Why? Because that’s when a refundable “first-time” homebuyer tax credit equal to 10% of the purchase price of a principal residence is set to expire. This short article looks at details of the credit.
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Don’t let family matters interfere with business matters
October / November 2009
Newsletter: Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 670
Abstract: Even though knowing family members are watching the shop can be reassuring, the requirements of running a business can strain even the strongest family ties. The stresses can become further exacerbated when sibling rivalry exists or when one’s spouse is involved. But there are ways to address these issues, including treating siblings equally and dividing responsibilities between spouses.
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Now is the time – Take advantage of today’s low interest rates to transfer more wealth tax free
October / November 2009
Newsletter: Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 741
Abstract: To help jumpstart a struggling economy, the federal government began lowering key interest rates last year, and they remain at their lowest level in several years. This is good news for those looking to transfer wealth out of their estate. Lifetime giving strategies are particularly effective when interest rates are low because the probability of outperforming the hurdle rate — and, therefore, transferring wealth tax free — is high. This article explains what hurdle rates are, and details such giving strategies as family loans, grantor retained annuity trusts (GRATs) and charitable lead annuity trusts (CLATs).
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Preparing for any business scenario – A buy-sell agreement can steady a company through uncertain times
October / November 2009
Newsletter: Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 867
Abstract: Smart business owners work to control the risks they can — such as if an owner leaves the company. To guard against the negative consequences that might arise from such a predicament, it’s important to be proactive and establish a buy-sell agreement. This article looks at some of the details of a buy-sell agreement, which is a contract among a business’s owners that sets guidelines for the transfer of their ownership interests. It discusses using life insurance to fund an agreement, while a sidebar explains the difference between fair market value and investment value when determining how to value a business.