Common Pitfalls in Family-Owned Businesses

Rincker LawBusiness/Commercial Law Leave a Comment

Your family and your business are two of your top priorities. You would not do anything to compromise either of them. But working with family members in a family-owned business presents unique challenges that can cause lasting damage to both if not properly managed. Family-owned businesses are capable of the same success as any other business. Walmart, Chick-fil-A, Comcast, Carnival, …

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Financing a Business: Evaluating Your Options

Cari RinckerBusiness/Commercial Law Leave a Comment

Financing is the lifeblood of a business. During good times, business financing can help entrepreneurs purchase assets, expand products and services, add a new location, and hire more staff. During more difficult times, business owners may require financing just to continue their current operations. A business may also be at the start-up phase and require capital to get off the …

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Considerations for Hiring Your Child as an Employee

Cari RinckerBusiness/Commercial Law Leave a Comment

Hiring your child to work in the family business can be a win-win situation for both you and your child. A child employee offers you tax advantages not available with other employees. There are also potential tax savings for the child employee, who can set aside that money for college or retirement. If you are thinking about hiring your child …

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How to Protect Your Business from Lawsuits

Cari RinckerBusiness/Commercial Law Leave a Comment

Small business owners are no strangers to risk management. Owning and operating a small business entails a certain level of unpredictability. Despite your best efforts to stay on top of supply chains, marketing, sales, competitors, employees, and cash flow, unexpected issues can knock you for a loop. You have survived plenty of bumps in the road and emerged stronger than …

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Common Pitfalls in Family-Owned Businesses

Cari RinckerBusiness/Commercial Law Leave a Comment

Your family and your business are two of your top priorities. You would not do anything to compromise either of them. But working with family members in a family-owned business presents unique challenges that can cause lasting damage to both if not properly managed. Family-owned businesses are capable of the same success as any other business. Walmart, Chick-fil-A, Comcast, Carnival, …

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Business Trusts 101: What Entrepreneurs Should Know about Using a Business Trust

Rincker LawBusiness/Commercial Law, Estate Planning Leave a Comment

Trusts are usually associated with estate planning, but trusts can also apply to business operations. As a small business owner, you can hold the business in a trust instead of using a business entity such as a limited liability company (LLC) or corporation. Business trusts offer several potential benefits—and drawbacks—compared to a traditional business structure. Understanding their pros and cons, …

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What Happens to Your Business When You Die

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You spend a significant part of your life building your business, and it becomes a major part of your legacy. But when you die, everything you have built could fall apart if you have not taken the time to create a business succession plan. Without a plan in place, your business’s fate may be decided by a court instead of …

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Hear Cari Rincker Talk Biz on the Central Illinois Business Leaders Podcast

Rincker LawUncategorized Leave a Comment

I really enjoyed joining Derek Hayden and Garrett Ulmer with the Central Illinois Business Leaders Podcast, available here.  I give some behind the scenes looks at Rincker Law and my life as a manager of this law practice (both before I had baby and afterwards).

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What to Know Before Investing in a Small Business

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With the country emerging from pandemic lockdowns and economic activity beginning to expand, small business owners are optimistic about the future. Supporting local businesses can help them grow and thrive in a post-pandemic economy. But what if you could help a business while also helping yourself? Investing in a small business can be a great way to diversify your assets …

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Benefits of Having Your Business Donate to Charity

Rincker LawEstate Planning 4 Comments

Giving money to charity might seem counterintuitive to those running a for-profit company. However, it is important to keep in mind that charitable giving can not only make a big difference to the recipients of your generosity, but it can also provide a net gain to your business. In addition to the potential tax advantages of charitable giving, donations have …

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Selling Your Small Business: What You Should Know

Rincker LawBusiness/Commercial Law Leave a Comment

Determining whether to start a business is a major life decision. For small business owners, deciding when and how to sell the business is arguably even more consequential. Before selling a business, the owner is likely to spend many hours and even days worrying and considering the options: Is the market right? What price should I set for my business, …

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What Is a Promissory Note and When Should I Use One?

Rincker LawBusiness/Commercial Law Leave a Comment

You have probably heard the term promissory note, but do you understand what a promissory note is and when one can and should be used? A promissory note is simply a written promise to repay someone who has loaned you money. More specifically, it sets forth the terms for repayment of a loan on or by a specified date. A …

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