Know your legal rights without spending a fortune in legal fees; get the advice of an expert for the cost of a book. It happens to everyone. You need legal help, but you have no idea what you’re getting into or where to begin. The thought of hiring a personal attorney–and shelling out outrageous amounts of money in hourly legal fees–makes you cringe. Isn’t there a better way? The Ask a Lawyer series arms you with practical, usable advice about common legal situations, answering your questions and familiarizing you with legal procedure before you ever set foot in a lawyer’s office. Each book walks you through simple explanations of the law, legal definitions, tips, and sample scenarios, describing what will happen and what your options are. In some cases, these books can keep you from spending money on a lawyer you really never needed. Whether you ultimately decide to handle the matter by yourself or use an attorney’s assistance for the completion of your plans, these books can easily save you thousands of dollars in the process.

Do you feel harassed by your landlord? Does your tenant never pay the rent on time? The problems that can arise in a landlord-tenant relationship may end up costing serious money if not handled properly and sensibly. This book covers the rights, responsibilities, and duties of both parties; the best ways of dealing with your landlord or tenant and coming up with reasonable solutions; what a tenant should look for in an apartment and a lease; how to evict a tenant or avoid eviction; and how to get out of a lease.

Landlord and Tenant (Ask a Lawyer) ]]> http://www.californialandlordlawyer.com/2011/03/07/landlord-and-tenant-ask-a-lawyer.html/feed 0 http://www.californialandlordlawyer.com/2011/03/07/new-california-laws-for-2009-10-affecting-realtorsr.html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=new-california-laws-for-2009-10-affecting-realtorsr http://www.californialandlordlawyer.com/2011/03/07/new-california-laws-for-2009-10-affecting-realtorsr.html#comments Mon, 07 Mar 2011 12:05:59 +0000 California Landlord Lawyer http://www.californialandlordlawyer.com/?page_id=223

The following information from the California Association of Realtors was provided to address the many new laws that affect California Realtors and their clients. These new laws were published in conclusion of the first half of the 2009-2010 legislative session. The laws mentioned are a interpretations and full legislation details on the new bills passed can be found on the internet www.leginfo.ca.gov.

REAL ESTATE

REO Buyer Can Select Escrow and Title: Effective October 11, 2009 to January 1, 2015. Assembly Bill 957.

The buyer in an REO transaction is free to select their own escrow and title company. A lender that subjects the buyer to use a specific company will be held liable.

MORTGAGES

No Advance Fee Loan Modifications: Effective October 11, 2009 ? January 1, 2013. Senate Bill 94.

This law addresses the high number of scams asking for upfront fees by prohibiting any compensation for performing a loan modification until all services are provided as promised. This law applies to any real estate agent and attorney.

Mortgage Loan Originators Regulated: Effective December 2010. Senate Bill 36.

Mortgage loan originators that negotiate terms for a mortgage loan for compensation are now regulated by the Mortgage Licensing System, this includes finance and residential mortgage lenders. What this means is more laws and restrictions will be applied to these professionals.

Mortgage Broker Activities Restricted: Effective January 1, 2010, Assembly Bill 260.

It is a mortgage broker’s fiduciary duty to put a borrower’s financial interest first. It puts restrictions on the arrangement of high-priced mortgage loans, pre-payment penalties, yield spread premiums, and negative amortization loans.

Mortgage Fraud Becomes a State Crime: Effective January 1, 2010, Senate Bill 230.

Any activities of mortgage lending processing with an intent to influence the process is seen as mortgage fraud under CA law. If found guilty, the crime is punishable with one-year in prison.

Reverse Mortgages: Effective January 1, 2010, Assembly Bill 329.

There are now new disclosures along with other requirements under the Reverse Mortgage Elder Protection Act that must be followed in any reverse mortgage transaction.

INVESTORS

60-Day Notice to Terminate Tenants Extended: Senate Bill 290.

60 day notice from a monthly residential tenant will still be law indefinitely. If a tenant has lived in a property for less than one year or is on a termed lease, a 30 day notice is sufficient. Other tenant laws were also addressed in this bill.

Landlord Utilities: Senate Bill 120.

This bill requires some utility companies to notify residential tenants if the landlord has been past due on bills which would result in the discontinuation of services. This protects the tenant form not have basic services and allows the tenant to put the utilities in their names to avoid an interruption in service.

Mobilehome Parks: Senate Bill 804

Management cannot make a homeowner use a specific broker or dealer to replace a mobilehome or manufactured home on a space in a mobilehome park.

OTHER AREAS OF REAL ESTATE

Appraisal Industry Oversight:Effective January 1, 2010, Senate Bill 237.

Background checks on all certified appraisers. Further expands the definition of what is considered appraisal fraud, including promotions, promises, threats, compensations.

Increase in Homestead Exemptions: Effective January 1, 2010, Assembly Bill 1046.

Homestead exemptions increase $75,000 for individuals, $100,000 for married couples, and $175,00 for persons over 65, disabled or 55 with limited income. The homestead exemption is to protect a homeowner’s equity from judgment creditors.

Swimming Pools: Assembly Bill 1020

This bill states that owners of apartment buildings, condominium complexes, and others, must place anti-entrapment devices for swimming pools. Also required is additional filing of compliance statements.

Mechanic’s Liens: Assembly Bill 457

New guidelines and processing, filing, and enforcing a Notice of Mechanic’s Lien.

Disposal of Records: Assembly Bill 1094

Liability business are now shielded if they property dispose of abandoned records via shredding or erasing the information. It is also legally presumed that a tenant shall own their records on the premises even after their lease has been terminated.

Plumbing Fixtures: Effective on or after January 1, 2014, Senate Bill 407

New disclosure requirements for the installation of water-conserving plumbing fixtures.

Originally published here.

LeaseWriter Plus guides you through the creation of a legitimate lease or rental agreement. Simply take the step-by-by step interview — in the end, you’ll have a solid document that reflects your needs and the laws of your state

Nolo LeaseWriter Plus ]]> http://www.californialandlordlawyer.com/2011/03/07/nolo-leasewriter-plus.html/feed 0 http://www.californialandlordlawyer.com/2011/03/07/woodfalls-law-of-landlord-and-tenant.html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=woodfalls-law-of-landlord-and-tenant http://www.californialandlordlawyer.com/2011/03/07/woodfalls-law-of-landlord-and-tenant.html#comments Mon, 07 Mar 2011 12:02:59 +0000 California Landlord Lawyer http://www.californialandlordlawyer.com/?page_id=221

Here is Coachella Valley Business Attorney Sebastian Gibson’s Top Ten:

1. Closer to home.

2. You can keep a closer eye on Putin rearing his head from Russia.

3. You can’t have a good sled dog race in Washington, D.C.

4. John McCain still has those photos you’d rather forget.

5. The First Dude likes it here.

6. You can keep reporters waiting in the cold.

7. No need to keep track of Supreme Court decisions here.

8. You can fire a state trooper in Alaska.

9. Tina Fey doesn’t come here.

10. Too many democrats in Washington, D.C.

Now here is everything (well, almost everything) you need in business about personal injury, car accidents, brain damage, wrongful deaths, business, real estate, landlord-tenant, homeowners association law, construction, patents, trademarks, corporations, entertainment law, advertising, copyrights, and litigation without making any serious legal missteps.  

If you need to know more about business environmental, international law, election and campaign law, consumer law, class actions, constitutional, internet, publishing, advertising, media, food and wine, hotel and restaurant law, estate planning, wills, trusts, water law, agricultural, insurance law, bad faith, psychologist and psychotherapist defense, education law or child accidents, you can find valuable information by searching for those subjects and adding the words Coachella Valley business lawyer or Coachella Valley business attorney to your search terms and looking for other articles by Sebastian Gibson.

You can also learn more about any of these business areas of law and how we can assist you as Coachella Valley business attorneys, or as lawyers in any city, by calling the Law Offices of R. Sebastian Gibson at any of the numbers which can be found on our website at http://www.SebastianGibsonLaw.com  .

1. Personal Injury, Car Accidents, Drowning Accidents, Brain Damage, Catastrophic Injuries and Wrongful Deaths in The Coachella Valley – If you’ve had a Coachella Valley auto, motorcycle, truck, pedestrian, bicycle, bus, train, airplane or car accident of any kind, get the other driver’s information, take camera or cell phone pictures, call the police, get a report, seek medical treatment immediately, call us or another good Coachella Valley personal injury lawyer, follow up with more medical treatment if you are still hurt, report the accident to your insurance agent, file a report with the DMV and don’t talk to anyone else or give a recorded statement until you talk with us. If you’ve lost a loved on in an accident, call us or another good Coachella Valley personal injury lawyer immediately. If you’ve been bitten by a dog, get treatment, call animal control and then call us. If you or someone you know has come close to drowning, seek medical treatment immediately as death or serious injury can still occur hours later.

2. Coachella Valley Business – Put everything in writing and preferably with our help or the help of another good Coachella Valley business lawyer. Spend money only as you need to. A Coachella Valley business attorney can tell you where to save costs and how to do it without risking liability. Limit your promises to employees and to customers. Buy insurance. Protect your intellectual property at the outset. Don’t disclose your inventions or any trade secrets to anyone without a non-disclosure agreement. Incorporate as soon as you are profitable. Get legal advice for problems or indications of pending lawsuits immediately. Keep all costs, including labor costs, to the bare minimum. Always use confidentiality agreements when disclosing valuable information and be careful what information you agree to receive. Tell customers they must pay in advance or on delivery. Do not agree to bill and be paid at a date after delivery. Otherwise you won’t be paid on a percentage of your products. Be wary of the potential for fraud by customers, business partners and employees.

3. Residential and Commercial Real Estate, Landlord Tenant Law, Mortgage Law and Homeowners Association Law in The Coachella Valley – Use a Coachella Valley real estate lawyer who is also a Realtor, or a Realtor who is also a Coachella Valley real estate attorney. Don’t buy or lease more than you need. Choose the right location. Choose the right mortgage. Don’t refinance if you think you may need to walk away from a home. Don’t buy more than you can afford. Check out the neighborhood carefully. Get a home inspection and a home warranty. Have a Coachella Valley real estate lawyer look over the documents. Homeowner Associations are facing a host of problems stemming from the number of foreclosures. As fees are reduced by vacant homes and condos, projects must be trimmed back or delayed in order to save money. Some homeowner associations, who were already in trouble, may face additional problems in the future and both homeowners and their associations should consult with legal counsel to help resolve how to deal with such issues.

4. Construction in The Coachella Valley – With the construction industry in it’s biggest ever slump, down more than 90% from its peak in many areas, Coachella Valley contractors need to shift their focus to energy free homes, apartment construction and to take advantage of contracts likely to be offered for bid under the new administration’s plan to create new jobs rebuilding the country’s infrastructure, construction of roads, bridges, the electrical grid and other utility projects. If you are dealing with contractors yourself, always use licensed contractors and have a Coachella Valley construction lawyer look over your contracts. You can also investigate the contractor online to ensure he is licensed and insured and a Coachella Valley construction attorney can do an additional investigation at little extra cost. Never pay a contractor the entire sum for a project at the start. Put all agreements in writing, including any changes.

5. Coachella Valley Patents and Biotechnology – A patent should be applied for, for any new, and non-obvious process, or invention and to any new improvement of an invention at first opportunity. A patent is good for 20 years. Depending upon the complexity, most utility patent applications will cost between $8,000 and $12,000.00. A design patent can be applied for by a Coachella Valley patent attorney, for the look of an item and is good for 14 years. A provisional patent can be applied for, good for one year at a cost of half of the usual utility patent cost but is only good for one year. If the inventor does not upgrade the provisional patent into a utility patent application within that period, usually for the cost of the remainder of the corresponding cost of a utility patent, the inventor loses his or her protection. A patent is pending once it has been applied for, and can be licensed, or sold outright. Without a patent, others can make and sell your invention with no compensation to you. Patent searches help the Coachella Valley patent lawyer write an application around existing patents and cost an additional sum, usually under $1,000.00. Drawings must also be prepared for the patent application usually for under $500.00. A design patent can be sought for between $1,000 to $1,500 and a European design patent for between $2,000 to $2,500. Accelerated patent applications usually cost an additional 50% of normal patent applications. Foreign patent applications also require additional fees.

6. Coachella Valley Trademarks – Trademark any original logos, designs, words, phrases, symbols or combinations that you use to identify your products or services as soon as possible. Call a Coachella Valley trademark attorney as soon as anyone else’s trademark or service mark is so similar as to cause a likelihood of confusion in the public or if you receive a cease and desist letter from someone else accusing you of infringement. Trademark applications range from between $2,500 if there has not yet been any use of the trademark to $1,500 to apply for a trademark already in use. Therefore, to save money, create some products and advertising materials and apply for the trademark once they are ready to be sold and advertised.

7. Coachella Valley Corporations – Never incorporate by yourself. Corporations will not protect you from liability if you do not follow corporate formalities correctly. Protect your intellectual property from the start with the help of a Coachella Valley corporations attorney. Don’t borrow someone else’s employee handbook or fire problematic employees without legal advice. Don’t get investors without seeing one of our Coachella Valley corporate attorneys. Cut costs to the bone. Use extra money to advertise, and sell in new markets. A Coachella Valley corporations lawyer can provide you with advice as to which type of corporation or LLC to use for your business.

8. Entertainment Law, Sports Law, Marketing, Advertising, Media and Copyrights in The Coachella Valley – Whether you are a musician, an actor, a model, a writer, an athlete, a broadcaster or connected in any other way to the entertainment industry, contact us or another good Coachella Valley entertainment attorney as soon as anyone gives you a contract to sign. Signing a bad contract can end your career before it’s ever begun. As soon as you have written any body of work, have it copyrighted. You can do this quite easily yourself, but if you need assistance or if someone else infringes your copyrighted work, you can then file suit against such a party.

9. Coachella Valley Litigation – At the first sign that someone may sue you or your business, consult with a Coachella Valley litigation attorney. Many times, a lawsuit can be forestalled before it has been filed or the matter resolved with letters between the litigation attorneys. If you are served with a lawsuit, hire a Coachella Valley litigation lawyer like one from our firm who specializes in mediations and non-binding arbitrations so your litigation can be resolved at the soonest possible opportunity and limit your exposure to years of lawyer’s fees and costs as your case winds slowly through the courts.

10. Employment Law in the Coachella Valley – It may seem silly to think you should hire a Coachella Valley employment attorney whenever you are considering firing an employee, but it has come to that. However, a consultation with a good Coachella Valley employment law firm can provide you with the advice of how to handle your employee relations both immediately and in the future as you either seek to cut costs or get rid of a problematic employee. If you have been sued or threatened with a suit, or are being scammed by an employee, consult a Coachella Valley employment lawyer immediately.

If you have a legal matter in the Coachella Valley, Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Coachella, La Quinta, Indio, Indian Wells, Cathedral City, Desert Hot Springs, Thermal, Yucca Valley, Joshua Tree, Twentynine Palms or Rancho Mirage, our Coachella Valley law firm has the knowledge and resources to be your Coachella Valley Lawyers and your Coachella Valley Attorneys. Be sure to hire a Coachella Valley law firm with experience in Personal Injury, Car Accidents, Drownings, Brain Damage, Catastrophic Injuries, Wrongful Death, Business, Real Estate and Landlord Tenant Law, Homeowner Association Law, Construction, Trademarks, Patents, Corporations, Entertainment, Sports Law, Marketing, Advertising, Media, and Copyright Law, and who will endeavor to ensure that your rights are properly represented.

Additionally, if you have a legal matter which involves Environmental and Toxic Tort Law, Litigation, International, Shipping and Maritime Law, Employment, Election and Campaign Finance Law, Consumer Law and Class Actions, Constitutional, Publishing, Publicity, Privacy Rights, Internet Law, Advertising and Media Law, Food and Wine Law, Hotel and Restaurant Law, Estate Planning, Wills and Trusts, Water, Agricultural and Natural Resource Law, Insurance Law, Bad Faith and Psychiatrist and Psychotherapist Defense, Education Law or a Child Accident in The Coachella Valley or anywhere in Southern California, call the Law Offices of R. Sebastian Gibson, or visit our website at http://www.SebastianGibsonLaw.com  and learn how a Coachella Valley attorney from our offices can assist you.

Originally published here.

]]> http://www.californialandlordlawyer.com/2010/08/26/.html/feed 0 http://www.californialandlordlawyer.com/2010/08/26/palm-springs-business-attorneys-top-ten-sarah-palin-you-betcha-ways-shell-help-deal-with-the-recession.html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=palm-springs-business-attorneys-top-ten-sarah-palin-you-betcha-ways-shell-help-deal-with-the-recession http://www.californialandlordlawyer.com/2010/08/26/palm-springs-business-attorneys-top-ten-sarah-palin-you-betcha-ways-shell-help-deal-with-the-recession.html#comments Thu, 26 Aug 2010 11:40:59 +0000 California Landlord Lawyer http://www.californialandlordlawyer.com/?page_id=218

Here is Palm Springs Business Attorney Sebastian Gibson’s Top Ten:

1. You Betcha, sign a $7 million book deal.

 

2. You Betcha, buy another snow mobile or two.

 

3. You Betcha, buy seven houses to keep up with McCain.

 

4. You Betcha, take over as a television talk show host as soon as this Alaska gig is over.

 

5. You Betcha, replace that Katie Couric and her confusing interview questioning.

 

6. You Betcha, turn those Alaskan consignment stores she used to shop at into high end boutiques.

 

7. You Betcha, spend, spend, spend.

 

8. You Betcha, drill, drill, drill.

 

9. You Betcha, offer to be Barack Obama’s personal shopping assistant.

 

10. You Betcha, open campaign offices for President in 2012.

 

Now here is everything (well, almost everything) you need in business about personal injury, car accidents, brain damage, wrongful deaths, business, real estate, landlord-tenant, homeowners association law, construction, patents, trademarks, corporations, entertainment law, advertising, copyrights, and litigation without making any serious legal missteps.

If you need to know more about business, environmental, international law, election and campaign law, consumer law, class actions, constitutional, internet, publishing, advertising, media, food and wine, hotel and restaurant law, estate planning, wills, trusts, water law, agricultural, insurance law, bad faith, psychologist and psychotherapist defense, education law or child accidents, you can find valuable information by searching for those subjects and adding the words Palm Springs business lawyer or Palm Springs business attorney to your search terms and looking for other articles by Sebastian Gibson.

 

You can also learn more about any of these business areas of law and how we can assist you as Palm Springs business attorneys, or as lawyers in any city, by calling the Law Offices of R. Sebastian Gibson at any of the numbers which can be found on our website at http://www.SebastianGibsonLaw.com .

 

1. Personal Injury, Car Accidents, Drowning Accidents, Brain Damage, Catastrophic Injuries and Wrongful Deaths in Palm Springs – If you’ve had a Palm Springs auto, motorcycle, truck, pedestrian, bicycle, bus, train, airplane or car accident of any kind, get the other driver’s information, take camera or cell phone pictures, call the police, get a report, seek medical treatment immediately, call us or another good Palm Springs personal injury lawyer, follow up with more medical treatment if you are still hurt, report the accident to your insurance agent, file a report with the DMV and don’t talk to anyone else or give a recorded statement until you talk with us. If you’ve lost a loved on in an accident, call us or another good Palm Springs personal injury lawyer immediately. If you’ve been bitten by a dog, get treatment, call animal control and then call us. If you or someone you know has come close to drowning, seek medical treatment immediately as death or serious injury can still occur hours later.

 

2. Palm Springs Business – Put everything in writing and preferably with our help or the help of another good Palm Springs business lawyer. Spend money only as you need to. A Palm Springs business attorney can tell you where to save costs and how to do it without risking liability. Limit your promises to employees and to customers. Buy insurance. Protect your intellectual property at the outset. Don’t disclose your inventions or any trade secrets to anyone without a non-disclosure agreement. Incorporate as soon as you are profitable. Get legal advice for problems or indications of pending lawsuits immediately. Keep all costs, including labor costs, to the bare minimum. Always use confidentiality agreements when disclosing valuable information and be careful what information you agree to receive. Tell customers they must pay in advance or on delivery. Do not agree to bill and be paid at a date after delivery. Otherwise you won’t be paid on a percentage of your products. Be wary of the potential for fraud by customers, business partners and employees.

 

3. Residential and Commercial Real Estate, Landlord Tenant Law, Mortgage Law and Homeowners Association Law in Palm Springs – Use a Palm Springs real estate lawyer who is also a Realtor, or a Realtor who is also a Palm Springs real estate attorney. Don’t buy or lease more than you need. Choose the right location. Choose the right mortgage. Don’t refinance if you think you may need to walk away from a home. Don’t buy more than you can afford. Check out the neighborhood carefully. Get a home inspection and a home warranty. Have a Palm Springs real estate lawyer look over the documents. Homeowner Associations are facing a host of problems stemming from the number of foreclosures. As fees are reduced by vacant homes and condos, projects must be trimmed back or delayed in order to save money. Some homeowner associations, who were already in trouble, may face additional problems in the future and both homeowners and their associations should consult with legal counsel to help resolve how to deal with such issues.

 

4. Construction in Palm Springs – With the construction industry in it’s biggest ever slump, down more than 90% from its peak in many areas, Palm Springs contractors need to shift their focus to energy free homes, apartment construction and to take advantage of contracts likely to be offered for bid under the new administration’s plan to create new jobs rebuilding the country’s infrastructure, construction of roads, bridges, the electrical grid and other utility projects. If you are dealing with contractors yourself, always use licensed contractors and have a Palm Springs construction lawyer look over your contracts. You can also investigate the contractor online to ensure he is licensed and insured and a Palm Springs construction attorney can do an additional investigation at little extra cost. Never pay a contractor the entire sum for a project at the start. Put all agreements in writing, including any changes.

 

5. Palm Springs Patents and Biotechnology – A patent should be applied for, for any new, and non-obvious process, or invention and to any new improvement of an invention at first opportunity. A patent is good for 20 years. Depending upon the complexity, most utility patent applications will cost between $8,000 and $12,000.00. A design patent can be applied for by a Palm Springs patent attorney, for the look of an item and is good for 14 years. A provisional patent can be applied for, good for one year at a cost of half of the usual utility patent cost but is only good for one year. If the inventor does not upgrade the provisional patent into a utility patent application within that period, usually for the cost of the remainder of the corresponding cost of a utility patent, the inventor loses his or her protection. A patent is pending once it has been applied for, and can be licensed, or sold outright. Without a patent, others can make and sell your invention with no compensation to you. Patent searches help the Palm Springs patent lawyer write an application around existing patents and cost an additional sum, usually under $1,000.00. Drawings must also be prepared for the patent application usually for under $500.00. A design patent can be sought for between $1,000 to $1,500 and a European design patent for between $2,000 to $2,500. Accelerated patent applications usually cost an additional 50% of normal patent applications. Foreign patent applications also require additional fees.

 

6. Palm Springs Trademarks – Trademark any original logos, designs, words, phrases, symbols or combinations that you use to identify your products or services as soon as possible. Call a Palm Springs trademark attorney as soon as anyone else’s trademark or service mark is so similar as to cause a likelihood of confusion in the public or if you receive a cease and desist letter from someone else accusing you of infringement. Trademark applications range from between $2,500 if there has not yet been any use of the trademark to $1,500 to apply for a trademark already in use. Therefore, to save money, create some products and advertising materials and apply for the trademark once they are ready to be sold and advertised.

 

7. Palm Springs Corporations – Never incorporate by yourself. Corporations will not protect you from liability if you do not follow corporate formalities correctly. Protect your intellectual property from the start with the help of a Palm Springs corporations attorney. Don’t borrow someone else’s employee handbook or fire problematic employees without legal advice. Don’t get investors without seeing one of our Palm Springs corporate attorneys. Cut costs to the bone. Use extra money to advertise, and sell in new markets. A Palm Springs corporations lawyer can provide you with advice as to which type of corporation or LLC to use for your business.

 

8. Entertainment Law, Sports Law, Marketing, Advertising, Media and Copyrights in Palm Springs – Whether you are a musician, an actor, a model, a writer, an athlete, a broadcaster or connected in any other way to the entertainment industry, contact us or another good Palm Springs entertainment attorney as soon as anyone gives you a contract to sign. Signing a bad contract can end your career before it’s ever begun. As soon as you have written any body of work, have it copyrighted. You can do this quite easily yourself, but if you need assistance or if someone else infringes your copyrighted work, you can then file suit against such a party.

 

9. Palm Springs Litigation – At the first sign that someone may sue you or your business, consult with a Palm Springs litigation attorney. Many times, a lawsuit can be forestalled before it has been filed or the matter resolved with letters between the litigation attorneys. If you are served with a lawsuit, hire a Palm Springs litigation lawyer like one from our firm who specializes in mediations and non-binding arbitrations so your litigation can be resolved at the soonest possible opportunity and limit your exposure to years of lawyer’s fees and costs as your case winds slowly through the courts.

 

10. Employment Law in Palm Springs – It may seem silly to think you should hire a Palm Springs employment attorney whenever you are considering firing an employee, but it has come to that. However, a consultation with a good Palm Springs employment law firm can provide you with the advice of how to handle your employee relations both immediately and in the future as you either seek to cut costs or get rid of a problematic employee. If you have been sued or threatened with a suit, or are being scammed by an employee, consult a Palm Springs employment lawyer immediately.

 

If you have a legal matter in Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Indio, Coachella, Rancho Mirage, La Quinta, Indian Wells, Cathedral City, Desert Hot Springs, Thermal, Yucca Valley, Joshua Tree, Twentynine Palms or anywhere in the Coachella Valley, our Palm Springs law firm has the knowledge and resources to be your Palm Springs Lawyers and your Palm Springs Attorneys. Be sure to hire a Coachella Valley law firm with experience in Personal Injury, Car Accidents, Drownings, Brain Damage, Catastrophic Injuries, Wrongful Death, Business, Real Estate and Landlord Tenant Law, Homeowner Association Law, Construction, Trademarks, Patents, Corporations, Entertainment, Sports Law, Marketing, Advertising, Media, and Copyright Law, and who will endeavor to ensure that your rights are properly represented.

 

Additionally, if you have a legal matter which involves Environmental and Toxic Tort Law, Litigation, International, Shipping and Maritime Law, Employment, Election and Campaign Finance Law, Consumer Law and Class Actions, Constitutional, Publishing, Publicity, Privacy Rights, Internet Law, Advertising and Media Law, Food and Wine Law, Hotel and Restaurant Law, Estate Planning, Wills and Trusts, Water, Agricultural and Natural Resource Law, Insurance Law, Bad Faith and Psychiatrist and Psychotherapist Defense, Education Law or a Child Accident in Palm Springs or anywhere in Southern California, call the Law Offices of R. Sebastian Gibson, or visit our website at http://www.SebastianGibsonLaw.com  and learn how a Palm Springs attorney from our offices can assist you.

Originally published here.

The Sebastian Gibson Business Law Firm serves Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Indio, Coachella, Rancho Mirage, La Quinta, Indian Wells, Cathedral City, Desert Hot Springs, Thermal, Yucca Valley, Joshua Tree, Twentynine Palms, the entire Coachella Valley and all of Southern California. We stand ready to assist you with any type of Personal Injury, Car Accidents, Motorcycle Accidents and Truck Accidents, Dog Bites, Drownings, Brain Damage, Catastrophic Injuries, Wrongful Death, Business, Real Estate and Landlord Tenant Law, Homeowner Association Law, Construction, Trademarks, Patents, Corporations, Entertainment, Sports Law, Marketing, Advertising, Media, and Copyright Law matter.

Visit our website at http://www.sebastiangibsonlaw.com if you have a legal matter of any kind. We have the knowledge and resources to represent you as your Palm Springs Business Lawyer and Palm Springs Business Attorney for Environmental and Toxic Tort Law, Litigation, International, Shipping and Maritime Law, Employment, Election and Campaign Finance Law, Consumer Law and Class Actions, Constitutional, Publishing, Publicity, Privacy Rights, Internet Law, Advertising and Media Law, Food and Wine Law, Hotel and Restaurant Law, Estate Planning, Wills and Trusts, Water, Agricultural and Natural Resource Law, Insurance Law, Bad Faith and Psychiatrist and Psychotherapist Defense, Education Law and Child Accidents.

]]> http://www.californialandlordlawyer.com/2010/08/25/.html/feed 0 http://www.californialandlordlawyer.com/2010/08/25/palm-desert-business-attorneys-top-ten-sarah-palin-ways-to-know-youre-dealing-with-idiots.html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=palm-desert-business-attorneys-top-ten-sarah-palin-ways-to-know-youre-dealing-with-idiots http://www.californialandlordlawyer.com/2010/08/25/palm-desert-business-attorneys-top-ten-sarah-palin-ways-to-know-youre-dealing-with-idiots.html#comments Wed, 25 Aug 2010 11:30:59 +0000 California Landlord Lawyer http://www.californialandlordlawyer.com/?page_id=216

Here is Palm Desert Business Attorney Sebastian Gibson’s Top Ten:

1. They’re all turkeys.

 

2. They don’t read every newspaper.

 

3. They don’t know how to shop for bargains.

 

4. They don’t know how to put lipstick on a pig.

 

5. They don’t know how to blame the liberal media for everything.

 

6. They don’t know a good plumber.

 

7. They’re not mavericks.

 

8. They couldn’t get a book deal if they tried.

 

9. They never read the constitution to know the first amendment was made to protect politicians from free speaking news media types.

 

10. They don’t know that the Vice President is in charge of the senate.

 

Now here is everything (well, almost everything) you need in business about personal injury, car accidents, brain damage, wrongful deaths, business, real estate, landlord-tenant, homeowners association law, construction, patents, trademarks, corporations, entertainment law, advertising, copyrights, and litigation without making any serious legal missteps.  

If you need to know more about business, environmental, international law, election and campaign law, consumer law, class actions, constitutional, internet, publishing, advertising, media, food and wine, hotel and restaurant law, estate planning, wills, trusts, water law, agricultural, insurance law, bad faith, psychologist and psychotherapist defense, education law or child accidents, you can find valuable information by searching for those subjects and adding the words Palm Desert business lawyer or Palm Desert business attorney to your search terms and looking for other articles by Sebastian Gibson.

 

You can also learn more about any of these business areas of law and how we can assist you as Palm Desert business attorneys, or as lawyers in any city, by calling the Law Offices of R. Sebastian Gibson at any of the numbers which can be found on our website at http://www.SebastianGibsonLaw.com .

 

1. Personal Injury, Car Accidents, Drowning Accidents, Brain Damage, Catastrophic Injuries and Wrongful Deaths in Palm Desert – If you’ve had a Palm Desert auto, motorcycle, truck, pedestrian, bicycle, bus, train, airplane or car accident of any kind, get the other driver’s information, take camera or cell phone pictures, call the police, get a report, seek medical treatment immediately, call us or another good Palm Desert personal injury lawyer, follow up with more medical treatment if you are still hurt, report the accident to your insurance agent, file a report with the DMV and don’t talk to anyone else or give a recorded statement until you talk with us. If you’ve lost a loved on in an accident, call us or another good Palm Desert personal injury lawyer immediately. If you’ve been bitten by a dog, get treatment, call animal control and then call us. If you or someone you know has come close to drowning, seek medical treatment immediately as death or serious injury can still occur hours later.

 

2. Palm Desert Business – Put everything in writing and preferably with our help or the help of another good Palm Desert business lawyer. Spend money only as you need to. A Palm Desert business attorney can tell you where to save costs and how to do it without risking liability. Limit your promises to employees and to customers. Buy insurance. Protect your intellectual property at the outset. Don’t disclose your inventions or any trade secrets to anyone without a non-disclosure agreement. Incorporate as soon as you are profitable. Get legal advice for problems or indications of pending lawsuits immediately. Keep all costs, including labor costs, to the bare minimum. Always use confidentiality agreements when disclosing valuable information and be careful what information you agree to receive. Tell customers they must pay in advance or on delivery. Do not agree to bill and be paid at a date after delivery. Otherwise you won’t be paid on a percentage of your products. Be wary of the potential for fraud by customers, business partners and employees.

 

3. Residential and Commercial Real Estate, Landlord Tenant Law, Mortgage Law and Homeowners Association Law in Palm Desert – Use a Palm Desert real estate lawyer who is also a Realtor, or a Realtor who is also a Palm Desert real estate attorney. Don’t buy or lease more than you need. Choose the right location. Choose the right mortgage. Don’t refinance if you think you may need to walk away from a home. Don’t buy more than you can afford. Check out the neighborhood carefully. Get a home inspection and a home warranty. Have a Palm Desert real estate lawyer look over the documents. Homeowner Associations are facing a host of problems stemming from the number of foreclosures. As fees are reduced by vacant homes and condos, projects must be trimmed back or delayed in order to save money. Some homeowner associations, who were already in trouble, may face additional problems in the future and both homeowners and their associations should consult with legal counsel to help resolve how to deal with such issues.

 

4. Construction in Palm Desert – With the construction industry in it’s biggest ever slump, down more than 90% from its peak in many areas, Palm Desert contractors need to shift their focus to energy free homes, apartment construction and to take advantage of contracts likely to be offered for bid under the new administration’s plan to create new jobs rebuilding the country’s infrastructure, construction of roads, bridges, the electrical grid and other utility projects. If you are dealing with contractors yourself, always use licensed contractors and have a Palm Desert construction lawyer look over your contracts. You can also investigate the contractor online to ensure he is licensed and insured and a Palm Desert construction attorney can do an additional investigation at little extra cost. Never pay a contractor the entire sum for a project at the start. Put all agreements in writing, including any changes.

 

5. Palm Desert Patents and Biotechnology – A patent should be applied for, for any new, and non-obvious process, or invention and to any new improvement of an invention at first opportunity. A patent is good for 20 years. Depending upon the complexity, most utility patent applications will cost between $8,000 and $12,000.00. A design patent can be applied for by a Palm Desert patent attorney, for the look of an item and is good for 14 years. A provisional patent can be applied for, good for one year at a cost of half of the usual utility patent cost but is only good for one year. If the inventor does not upgrade the provisional patent into a utility patent application within that period, usually for the cost of the remainder of the corresponding cost of a utility patent, the inventor loses his or her protection. A patent is pending once it has been applied for, and can be licensed, or sold outright. Without a patent, others can make and sell your invention with no compensation to you. Patent searches help the Palm Desert patent lawyer write an application around existing patents and cost an additional sum, usually under $1,000.00. Drawings must also be prepared for the patent application usually for under $500.00. A design patent can be sought for between $1,000 to $1,500 and a European design patent for between $2,000 to $2,500. Accelerated patent applications usually cost an additional 50% of normal patent applications. Foreign patent applications also require additional fees.

 

6. Palm Desert Trademarks – Trademark any original logos, designs, words, phrases, symbols or combinations that you use to identify your products or services as soon as possible. Call a Palm Desert trademark attorney as soon as anyone else’s trademark or service mark is so similar as to cause a likelihood of confusion in the public or if you receive a cease and desist letter from someone else accusing you of infringement. Trademark applications range from between $2,500 if there has not yet been any use of the trademark to $1,500 to apply for a trademark already in use. Therefore, to save money, create some products and advertising materials and apply for the trademark once they are ready to be sold and advertised.

 

7. Palm Desert Corporations – Never incorporate by yourself. Corporations will not protect you from liability if you do not follow corporate formalities correctly. Protect your intellectual property from the start with the help of a Palm Desert corporations attorney. Don’t borrow someone else’s employee handbook or fire problematic employees without legal advice. Don’t get investors without seeing one of our Palm Desert corporate attorneys. Cut costs to the bone. Use extra money to advertise, and sell in new markets. A Palm Desert corporations lawyer can provide you with advice as to which type of corporation or LLC to use for your business.

 

8. Entertainment Law, Sports Law, Marketing, Advertising, Media and Copyrights in Palm Desert – Whether you are a musician, an actor, a model, a writer, an athlete, a broadcaster or connected in any other way to the entertainment industry, contact us or another good Palm Desert entertainment attorney as soon as anyone gives you a contract to sign. Signing a bad contract can end your career before it’s ever begun. As soon as you have written any body of work, have it copyrighted. You can do this quite easily yourself, but if you need assistance or if someone else infringes your copyrighted work, you can then file suit against such a party.

 

9. Palm Desert Litigation – At the first sign that someone may sue you or your business, consult with a Palm Desert litigation attorney. Many times, a lawsuit can be forestalled before it has been filed or the matter resolved with letters between the litigation attorneys. If you are served with a lawsuit, hire a Palm Desert litigation lawyer like one from our firm who specializes in mediations and non-binding arbitrations so your litigation can be resolved at the soonest possible opportunity and limit your exposure to years of lawyer’s fees and costs as your case winds slowly through the courts.

 

10. Employment Law in Palm Desert – It may seem silly to think you should hire a Palm Desert employment attorney whenever you are considering firing an employee, but it has come to that. However, a consultation with a good Palm Desert employment law firm can provide you with the advice of how to handle your employee relations both immediately and in the future as you either seek to cut costs or get rid of a problematic employee. If you have been sued or threatened with a suit, or are being scammed by an employee, consult a Palm Desert employment lawyer immediately.

 

If you have a legal matter in Palm Desert, Palm Springs, Indio, Coachella, Rancho Mirage, La Quinta, Indian Wells, Cathedral City, Desert Hot Springs, Thermal, Yucca Valley, Joshua Tree, Twentynine Palms or anywhere in the Coachella Valley, our Palm Desert law firm has the knowledge and resources to be your Palm Desert Lawyers and your Palm Desert Attorneys. Be sure to hire a Coachella Valley law firm with experience in Personal Injury, Car Accidents, Drownings, Brain Damage, Catastrophic Injuries, Wrongful Death, Business, Real Estate and Landlord Tenant Law, Homeowner Association Law, Construction, Trademarks, Patents, Corporations, Entertainment, Sports Law, Marketing, Advertising, Media, and Copyright Law, and who will endeavor to ensure that your rights are properly represented.

 

Additionally, if you have a legal matter which involves Environmental and Toxic Tort Law, Litigation, International, Shipping and Maritime Law, Employment, Election and Campaign Finance Law, Consumer Law and Class Actions, Constitutional, Publishing, Publicity, Privacy Rights, Internet Law, Advertising and Media Law, Food and Wine Law, Hotel and Restaurant Law, Estate Planning, Wills and Trusts, Water, Agricultural and Natural Resource Law, Insurance Law, Bad Faith and Psychiatrist and Psychotherapist Defense, Education Law or a Child Accident in Palm Desert or anywhere in Southern California, call the Law Offices of R. Sebastian Gibson, or visit our website at http://www.SebastianGibsonLaw.com  and learn how a Palm Desert attorney from our offices can assist you.

Originally published here.

The Sebastian Gibson Business Law Firm serves Palm Desert, Palm Springs, Indio, Coachella, Rancho Mirage, La Quinta, Indian Wells, Cathedral City, Desert Hot Springs, Thermal, Yucca Valley, Joshua Tree, Twentynine Palms, the entire Coachella Valley and all of Southern California. We stand ready to assist you with any type of Personal Injury, Car Accidents, Motorcycle Accidents and Truck Accidents, Dog Bites, Drownings, Brain Damage, Catastrophic Injuries, Wrongful Death, Business, Real Estate and Landlord Tenant Law, Homeowner Association Law, Construction, Trademarks, Patents, Corporations, Entertainment, Sports Law, Marketing, Advertising, Media, and Copyright Law matter.

Visit our website at http://www.sebastiangibsonlaw.com if you have a legal matter of any kind. We have the knowledge and resources to represent you as your Palm Desert Business Lawyer and Palm Desert Business Attorney for Environmental and Toxic Tort Law, Litigation, International, Shipping and Maritime Law, Employment, Election and Campaign Finance Law, Consumer Law and Class Actions, Constitutional, Publishing, Publicity, Privacy Rights, Internet Law, Advertising and Media Law, Food and Wine Law, Hotel and Restaurant Law, Estate Planning, Wills and Trusts, Water, Agricultural and Natural Resource Law, Insurance Law, Bad Faith and Psychiatrist and Psychotherapist Defense, Education Law and Child Accidents.

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