Michigan Business Lawyer Blog

The future is unclear for Washtenaw County based Wexford Builders.

At one time, the company was the perfect example of a well-run, profitable residential construction company in Washtenaw County. However, Wexford has been buried by debt, hit by disputes between the company's founders and challenged by the near collapse of the housing market in Southeast Michigan. It went into court-appointed receivership in April.

Despite all of this, Chief Executive Officer Craig Welch insists that the company will continue building homes. He has also stated that Wexford intends to repay its creditors. However, at this point in time, the details of just how this will be accomplished are unknown.

Posted by Michael J. Hamblin | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Michigan Business News

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Statistics indicate that more than 70% of Americans don't have a will. This is an astounding number. A will is the irreplaceable foundation for any estate plan. And any entrepreneur serious about building their business empire should have a comprehensive estate plan. Such a plan will ensure that all of their hard work in building their business will not be lost when they die. I am especially alarmed when new clients come into my office and tell me they have children and do not have a will. A will is the only document by which a parent can designate who will be the guardian of their minor children if both parents die. If a parent doesn't have a will, a court will make that decision.

Continue reading " Wills Are Important Piece of the Puzzle for Michigan Business Owners " »

Posted by Michael J. Hamblin | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Estate Planning

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In Michigan, a business is not required to have an employee handbook. But, I always advise my clients that it is a good idea to have one. Employee handbooks inform business owners and managers about the laws governing their day-to-day activities and help companies comply with state and federal regulations. They usually summarize the law and contain compliance checklists. Compliance failures can result in bad publicity, distracting lawsuits, and costly fines.

A typical Michigan employee handbook is about 20-40 pages long and provides practical guidance to company employees on how to comply with company policies. A good employee handbook also will help a company's managers comply with the law as it relates to the company's relationship with its employees.

A properly prepared employee handbook should be used by a company's employees and managers as a reference guide, to be kept handy on desktops and credenzas.

An employee handbook is a very important document -- and should be prepared only with close consultation and direction from a Michigan lawyer with expertise in employee handbooks. Although Michigan companies are not required to have an employee handbook, once a business places one in service, there are certain legal requirements that must be met.

Although there are publishers that purport to sell generic sample employee handbooks that a business can then supposedly customize on their own, using such a handbook could result in disaster. These generic handbooks almost never include state-specific provisions that must be contained in a Michigan business's employee handbook.

My practice includes preparing employee handbooks for Michigan companies. If you would like more information, feel free to call me at 248-952-0400 or visit my website -- http://www.hamblinlaw.com -- for more information.

Posted by Michael J. Hamblin | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Employee Handbooks , Employment Law

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One thing I've learned from representing small businesses is that smart business owners and managers reduce costs and avoid legal problems with preventive law practices. With the help of their lawyers, businesses can avoid disputes, injuries, and damage claims and can help strengthen their defenses when lawsuits are unavoidable.

Legal checkups, or legal audits, are something like an accountant's financial audit or medical examinations given by a physician.

During a legal checkup, your lawyer examines business records and practices and recommends steps that you can take to protect the legal health of your business. In a typical legal checkup, your lawyer will review documents such as your corporate charter, corporate minute book, purchase order forms, sales contracts, employment agreements, and loan agreements. Afterward you may get a written report summarizing findings and recommendations. An audit may uncover legal problems that should be corrected. For example, it may reveal that the company should revise sales contracts to limit warranties and liabilities or revise its employment applications to preserve the right to fire unsatisfactory employees.

Besides a written report, your lawyer can meet with you to explain the audit findings and recommendations and tell you how to avoid potential legal problems. At the meeting you can also learn which problems need immediate attention and which ones are less serious.

Many people only seek a lawyer's help once they are already in trouble. Amazingly, this is also true of otherwise savvy business owners. Don't wait until you have a serious problem before you seek an attorney's assistance. Just like your healthcare, a good lawyer acting proactively, can help your company avoid a myriad of expensive and inconvenient legal problems.

If you would like more information on how I can help your business avoid legal problems, feel free to call me (248-952-0400) or visit my website -- http://www.hamblinlaw.com-- for more information.

Posted by Michael J. Hamblin | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: General Topics

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