California Business Legal Questions

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453 legal questions have been posted about business law by real users in California. Ask your question and dive into the knowledge of attorneys who handle your issue regularly. Similar topics to explore also include business formation, business litigation, and business planning. All topics and other states can be accessed in the dropdowns below.
California Business Questions & Legal Answers - Page 3
Do you have any California Business questions page 3 and need some legal advice or guidance? Ask a Lawyer to get an answer or read through our 453 previously answered California Business questions.

Recent Legal Answers

Our 501(c)(3) currently operates 2 sports. The president and founder wants to split the two sports and get a separate 501(c)(3) number? Is it possible

Answered 8 years and 6 months ago by Michael Charles Doland (Unclaimed Profile)   |   1 Answer   |  Legal Topics: Business
A new 501(c)(3) will have to be formed and have to obtain new qualification as a 501(c)(3) and new tax ID number. 
A new 501(c)(3) will have to be formed and have to obtain new qualification as a 501(c)(3) and new tax ID number. 

Can i sue american company while i am in Ecuador?

Answered 8 years and 6 months ago by Michael Charles Doland (Unclaimed Profile)   |   1 Answer   |  Legal Topics: Business
You can reside outside of the US and sue in the US. You will have to appear in the US for trial (trials by declaration are not permitted) and perhaps for your deposition. Some of your damages will not be recoverable, such as the speculative amount the app would/could have made. Your overhead probably is also not recoverable. Litigation is expensive and it is very unlikely that any lawyer would accept this case on a contingent/percentage basis, but only on an hourly basis. ... Read More
You can reside outside of the US and sue in the US. You will have to appear in the US for trial (trials by declaration are not permitted) and perhaps... Read More

I am US citizen and Live in california

Answered 8 years and 7 months ago by Michael Charles Doland (Unclaimed Profile)   |   1 Answer   |  Legal Topics: Business
US cirizens and permanent residents are permitted to open offshore accounts so long as the y disclose them on their tax returns and pay US tax on their worldwide income (less any tax treaty benefits. PS I am not a tax lawyer.) Then it is up to the brokerage company as to whether they accept "Americans". ... Read More
US cirizens and permanent residents are permitted to open offshore accounts so long as the y disclose them on their tax returns and pay US tax on... Read More

Do you have to already have the business before doing a license application?

Answered 8 years and 7 months ago by Michael Charles Doland (Unclaimed Profile)   |   1 Answer   |  Legal Topics: Business
If it is an entity like an LLC or corporation it must exist before it applies for a licence.
If it is an entity like an LLC or corporation it must exist before it applies for a licence.

My partner stole from me and doesn't want to pay, I don't have any legal document to prove it .What can I do

Answered 8 years and 7 months ago by Michael Charles Doland (Unclaimed Profile)   |   1 Answer   |  Legal Topics: Business
You can still sue for conversion and breach of fiduciary duty. Without evidence, at least some evidence, to start then the lawsuit will not be expensive for you; it will be very expensive. 
You can still sue for conversion and breach of fiduciary duty. Without evidence, at least some evidence, to start then the lawsuit will not be... Read More

If one business is called "abcmarketinggroup" for example could i start a company name abcmarketing firm? Is that enough of a difference?

Answered 8 years and 7 months ago by Michael Charles Doland (Unclaimed Profile)   |   1 Answer   |  Legal Topics: Business
The legal standard is "likelihood of confusion". The reason you are asking is because you realize that if someone did the same thing to you, you would sue them. 
The legal standard is "likelihood of confusion". The reason you are asking is because you realize that if someone did the same thing to you, you... Read More

How do I move my LLC fro Va to California?

Answered 8 years and 8 months ago by Paul J. Hanley (Unclaimed Profile)   |   1 Answer   |  Legal Topics: Business
Qualify the VA business to do business in CA.
Qualify the VA business to do business in CA.
If there were litigation in which test messages you received or sent were relevant, they could be subpoenaed whether they were personal or business-related.  However, messages which were not relevant to the litigation could not be subpoenaed, again, regardless of whether they were personal or business-related.  Of course, the side seeking the records will often claim that communicaitons are relevant which the person who has the information says is not relevant, and often courts will err on the side of giving greater latitude in discovery.... Read More
If there were litigation in which test messages you received or sent were relevant, they could be subpoenaed whether they were personal or... Read More
I'm not sure whwt you mean by "straw man" in this context, but I am pretty sure that using the same merchant credit card account is a bad idea. By "companies", I assume you mean independent legal entities, like corporations or llcs, and I assume that one of the reasons that you set up, or will set up, independent legal entities is to avoid personal liability for the entities' obligations.  You would jeopardize this liability shield if you didn't run the companies as independent entities, but rather commingled their operations.  This could very well lead to a "piercing of the corporate veil" making one company liable for the other's obligations, and could even lead to you personally being liable for the entities' obligations.... Read More
I'm not sure whwt you mean by "straw man" in this context, but I am pretty sure that using the same merchant credit card account is a bad idea. By... Read More

parents left business 50/50 to myself and brother.

Answered 8 years and 10 months ago by Richard Samuel Price (Unclaimed Profile)   |   1 Answer   |  Legal Topics: Business
You'll need to hire an attorney to dissolve the partnerhip.  Contact an attorney for a full consultation.
You'll need to hire an attorney to dissolve the partnerhip.  Contact an attorney for a full consultation.

Business/partnership disillusionment

Answered 8 years and 10 months ago by Richard Samuel Price (Unclaimed Profile)   |   1 Answer   |  Legal Topics: Business
You'll either have to negotiate a resolution to the buyout or you can bring a lawsuit for the partnership dissolution.  You're going to need to hire an attorney to represent you.
You'll either have to negotiate a resolution to the buyout or you can bring a lawsuit for the partnership dissolution.  You're going to need to... Read More

How do I dissolve a partnership?

Answered 8 years and 11 months ago by Richard Samuel Price (Unclaimed Profile)   |   1 Answer   |  Legal Topics: Business
Your partnership agreement is the first place to look for your rights and responsibilities upon leaving the partnership (dissociation).  If the partnership agreement does not fully explain how a partner dissociates or how to dissolve the partnership, then California statutory law takes over.  This is complex.  Call or email an attorney for a full consultation.... Read More
Your partnership agreement is the first place to look for your rights and responsibilities upon leaving the partnership (dissociation).  If the... Read More

My general partner refuses to dissolve the partnership until after all partners has died in order to save taxes. I want to withdrawal from the partner

Answered 8 years and 11 months ago by Richard Samuel Price (Unclaimed Profile)   |   1 Answer   |  Legal Topics: Business
You can file a partition action requesting an order to sell or divide the partnership.  Contact an attorney for a full consultation.
You can file a partition action requesting an order to sell or divide the partnership.  Contact an attorney for a full consultation.

how do I turn my business into a corporation in California

Answered 8 years and 11 months ago by Richard Samuel Price (Unclaimed Profile)   |   1 Answer   |  Legal Topics: Business
You can incorporate an existing business by filing Articles of Incorporation with the Secretary of State.  There's much more to do.  Contact an attorney for a full consultation.
You can incorporate an existing business by filing Articles of Incorporation with the Secretary of State.  There's much more to do.... Read More

My business partner has put our business in jeopardy, what legal actions can i take?

Answered 9 years ago by Richard Samuel Price (Unclaimed Profile)   |   1 Answer   |  Legal Topics: Business
Unfortunately, if you are a general partnership, any partner can create unlimited liability for the partnership.  You will want to terminate the partnership and divide the business up equally, or one of you buy out the other.  As far as a lawsuit, there are a number of causes of action that you can take.  Contact an attorney for a full consultation.... Read More
Unfortunately, if you are a general partnership, any partner can create unlimited liability for the partnership.  You will want to terminate the... Read More

I am selling my 50% of my franchise/CA Corp. to my partner and would like to know the necessary steps to complete this transaction.

Answered 9 years and a month ago by Richard Samuel Price (Unclaimed Profile)   |   1 Answer   |  Legal Topics: Business
You may first have to obtain written consent from the Franchisor to sell your interest in the Franchise. Then you would enter into a written sales agreement and close the transaction.
You may first have to obtain written consent from the Franchisor to sell your interest in the Franchise. Then you would enter into a written sales... Read More

I need help to form an llc

Answered 9 years and 2 months ago by Richard Samuel Price (Unclaimed Profile)   |   1 Answer   |  Legal Topics: Business
Please contact an attorney to assist with forming your limited liability company.
Please contact an attorney to assist with forming your limited liability company.
I don't know whether you have grounds for rescinding the contract, but the fact that you signed it with a nickname makes no difference.
I don't know whether you have grounds for rescinding the contract, but the fact that you signed it with a nickname makes no difference.
Hi Daniel, If the statement that your employer made is false than you may very well have a claim against him for defamation. The key in a defamation claim is proving that damages resulted from the statement.  If you can't show actual damages, you still likely have a claim because of the nature of the accusation (i.e. criminal or fraudulent conduct) but your claim might not be as strong. Let me know if you would like to discuss. Thanks,Jon... Read More
Hi Daniel, If the statement that your employer made is false than you may very well have a claim against him for defamation. The key in a defamation... Read More

HOA asking for fees [some from 2023] that I do not owe

Answered 9 years and 2 months ago by attorney Jonathan Howell   |   1 Answer   |  Legal Topics: Business
Since this has been ongoing for as long as it has, it may be time for you to have an attorney send them a letter setting forth what has happened and insisting that it not happen again.  The difficulty here is that it sounds like more of a nuisance (taking your time responding, etc.) than a real financial hardship, so you have to decide whether it is worth spending a little bit of money (several hundred dollars likely) to try to stop the problem.   Thanks,Jon... Read More
Since this has been ongoing for as long as it has, it may be time for you to have an attorney send them a letter setting forth what has happened and... Read More
This would just be a contract/business dispute. Do you have a written agreement for the purchase? How long ago did you purchase the machine?
This would just be a contract/business dispute. Do you have a written agreement for the purchase? How long ago did you purchase the machine?

I own a business next to a dance studio.

Answered 9 years and 4 months ago by attorney Jonathan Howell   |   1 Answer   |  Legal Topics: Business
You may very well have an argument to be let out of the lease if the landlord does not take steps to sound proof the space.  Unfortunately though, there really is not a way to give you a clear answer on where you stand and what your rights are without reviewing your lease agreement.
You may very well have an argument to be let out of the lease if the landlord does not take steps to sound proof the space.  Unfortunately... Read More

RMO for contractor's business

Answered 9 years and 6 months ago by Adam Steven Warshaw (Unclaimed Profile)   |   1 Answer   |  Legal Topics: Business
Short answer: no.  It is against the licensing laws to have an RMO who is not actually involved in the business.  You need to get your own license.  Cal Bus & Prof Code §7068.1 mandates the active involvement of the qualifying person in the business of the licensed entity.  ... Read More
Short answer: no.  It is against the licensing laws to have an RMO who is not actually involved in the business.  You need to get your own... Read More

Is a signed purchase order a legal binding document?

Answered 9 years and 6 months ago by attorney Bruce Robins   |   1 Answer   |  Legal Topics: Business
Generally a signed purchase order is an enforceable contract, assuming that it contains all the necessary contractual terms.  While I know of nothing that would prevent your customer from seeking information about your costs from your supplier, that would no justify breaching the contract by paying less than the agreed price.... Read More
Generally a signed purchase order is an enforceable contract, assuming that it contains all the necessary contractual terms.  While I know of... Read More

Release of Liability waiver needed

Answered 9 years and 6 months ago by Michael Charles Doland (Unclaimed Profile)   |   1 Answer   |  Legal Topics: Business
Not only do you need a warranty, a liability waiver, but yo wil also have to register as a foreign corporation and need to have a long discussion on the subject of insurnance. Since the downside (loss of a house due to fire) is so big, this is not like selling handbags into the state. ... Read More
Not only do you need a warranty, a liability waiver, but yo wil also have to register as a foreign corporation and need to have a long discussion on... Read More