Most small businesses owners form some sort of entity (c-corp, s-corp, llc, etc.) to protect themselves. Indeed, there are numerous very good reasons to do so.
However, one thing you might not realize is that if your corporation wants to sue someone pro se> (without a lawyer) to collect on an accounts receiveable, say, even in small claims court, you can't!
Why? The only non-attorney who can represent you is you. The corporation is, under the law, a seperate person, albeit one that can't exactly walk into court on its own.
What to do? Hire an attorney of course :) The Swanson Firm represents all sorts of small businesses throughout the Chicagoland area, helping them collect accounts receiveable, defending them against frivoulous lawsuits, and providing general business advice. If we can help your company, contact us today.
Tuesday, December 08, 2009
Monday, December 07, 2009
But I had insurance for that, didn't I?
You are a small business person. You're a good small business person, so you got insurance. Now you're being sued. Maybe someone fell at your store, or claims you did something wrong. It's ok - you're covered, aren't you?
Maybe, maybe not. Insurance policies don't always cover what you think they should. Tender the claim to your carrier, of course, but be prepared for the dread denial or reservation of rights letter.
And what do if you get such a letter. Well, contact an attorney, of course. My firm can handles both declarative action (trying to force an insurance company to pay) and defend personal injury, and other claims under a reservation of rights.
Maybe, maybe not. Insurance policies don't always cover what you think they should. Tender the claim to your carrier, of course, but be prepared for the dread denial or reservation of rights letter.
And what do if you get such a letter. Well, contact an attorney, of course. My firm can handles both declarative action (trying to force an insurance company to pay) and defend personal injury, and other claims under a reservation of rights.
Sunday, December 06, 2009
A new Glenview location
The Swanson Firm is pleased to announce that starting Monday, December 7, 2009, we will have an additional location to serve you better.
Our new space is located in the Devon Bank Building in Glenview, Illinois, convenient to Interstate 294 and the north and northwest suburbs.
We still maintain offices in Morton Grove and Naperville as well. More options mean more convenience for you for evening or weekend appointments, as well as getting downtown quality without the downtown hassle.
If we can help you, contact us today.
Our new space is located in the Devon Bank Building in Glenview, Illinois, convenient to Interstate 294 and the north and northwest suburbs.
We still maintain offices in Morton Grove and Naperville as well. More options mean more convenience for you for evening or weekend appointments, as well as getting downtown quality without the downtown hassle.
If we can help you, contact us today.
Saturday, December 05, 2009
Did you know Condominium Associations can evict you if you don’t pay your assessments?
Did you know Condominium Associations can evict you if you don’t pay your assessments?
I’m always surprised at the number of Condominium Associations who don’t realize the power they have. Illinois is one of the few states that allows Associations to proceed against delinquent owners much as a landlord would against a deadbeat tenant.
Not only can the Association get a judgment for past-due assessments and late fees, it can recover its court costs, its attorney fees, and take possession of the unit!
The Swanson Firm represents Association collecting unpaid assessments and owners fighting against problematic Boards. If we can help your Condominium Association, contact us today.
I’m always surprised at the number of Condominium Associations who don’t realize the power they have. Illinois is one of the few states that allows Associations to proceed against delinquent owners much as a landlord would against a deadbeat tenant.
Not only can the Association get a judgment for past-due assessments and late fees, it can recover its court costs, its attorney fees, and take possession of the unit!
The Swanson Firm represents Association collecting unpaid assessments and owners fighting against problematic Boards. If we can help your Condominium Association, contact us today.
Friday, December 04, 2009
Flat Fees take the pain out of evictions for suburban landlords
Landlords with tenants who aren’t paying their rent often don’t know what to do – I should rephrase that, they know what they need to do, eviction, they just don’t know how.
Some try to do it on their own, but, like most people acting pro se (as your own attorney), the hassle and annoyance of trying to navigate the court system (in addition to the time wasting at court to file the complaint and appear for the court dates) can cause more headaches then solutions.
It’s really false economy. My firm offers eviction on a flat-fee basis, that is, for one reasonable fee, we handle preparation of the required notice, drafting, filing, and serving the complaint, and up to two court appearances, as well as answering all your questions. Sure, in the rare event (outside the City of Chicago, at least) a tenant files a counter-claim, or jury demand, there are additional fees, but really, isn’t it worth it to know it’s in the hands of a professional? Contact us today.
Some try to do it on their own, but, like most people acting pro se (as your own attorney), the hassle and annoyance of trying to navigate the court system (in addition to the time wasting at court to file the complaint and appear for the court dates) can cause more headaches then solutions.
It’s really false economy. My firm offers eviction on a flat-fee basis, that is, for one reasonable fee, we handle preparation of the required notice, drafting, filing, and serving the complaint, and up to two court appearances, as well as answering all your questions. Sure, in the rare event (outside the City of Chicago, at least) a tenant files a counter-claim, or jury demand, there are additional fees, but really, isn’t it worth it to know it’s in the hands of a professional? Contact us today.
Thursday, December 03, 2009
Defend yourself BEFORE judgment, not after
I’ve recently had numerous potential clients and other prospects in situations where they failed to address frivolous claims against them whilst they were pending, and as a result, a judgment (usually by default) got entered against them.
Waiting until AFTER you get a default judgment against you before taking action is a recipe for getting stuck. If you act quick enough (30 days), it’s usually possible to get the default vacated, but after that, it’s next to impossible.
What many people don’t seem to realize is that the time, indeed, the ONLY time, to present your defenses and arguments is before judgment. Once the judgment-creditor starts garnishing your wages, it’s too late.
If you’re a defendant in a civil lawsuit, you can’t afford not to get representation. The cost of an attorney is much less then the cost of having a judgment against you. My firm represents defendants in a wide variety of civil matters – contact us today.
Waiting until AFTER you get a default judgment against you before taking action is a recipe for getting stuck. If you act quick enough (30 days), it’s usually possible to get the default vacated, but after that, it’s next to impossible.
What many people don’t seem to realize is that the time, indeed, the ONLY time, to present your defenses and arguments is before judgment. Once the judgment-creditor starts garnishing your wages, it’s too late.
If you’re a defendant in a civil lawsuit, you can’t afford not to get representation. The cost of an attorney is much less then the cost of having a judgment against you. My firm represents defendants in a wide variety of civil matters – contact us today.
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