Gavin Nathaniel Johnson’s Answers

In order to starting doing business you'll need to file a Master Business License Application with the Washington Department of Revenue. You can find the application here: http://bls.dor.wa.gov/file.aspx There's an option to register a trade name when you fill out the application. The application fee is $15, and its an additional $5 to register each trade name. Registering your trade name will help protect the name from being used by another business in Washington. As far as limited...

Another option is to connect with an already-established 501(c)(3) organization. You may be able to fit under the organization's "umbrella," meaning you can collect funds for your Russian organization through the already established 501(c)(3). That way you wouldn't have to go through the complexities of forming an entirely new 501(c)(3) organization, but donations to your cause would be deductible. Your organization would receive the tax-exempt status of the 501(c)(3) organization. However,...

A survey is useful to determine your exact property boundaries, and costs for the survey can be negotiated to be paid for by the seller, buyer, or split between both. Generally, the person disputing the boundary will pay costs unless the other person has some sort of incentive for paying for the survey. You will want to be sure that the legal description in the deed is accurate as it is a material term that describes the subject of the contract, the property. An error in the legal...

It sounds as though you have a number of claims you could bring against your ex-fiancee. One potential problem is whether or not you can prove that the person who has logged into your Facebook account was actually your ex. The type of behavior you describe is worthy of discussing with an attorney ASAP in order to avoid any further damage to your reputation. At the very least, you may be able to go to court to obtain a restraining order. As I said, you really should discuss your situation...

I agree with the previous answer. Another thing to consider is how long it has been since the contract was entered into. Depending on the details, the claim may be barred by the statute of limitations. In addition, depending on the terms of the contract you signed, you may not be liable for the consequence's of your roommate's eviction. It'd be best to discuss everything with an attorney to decide your best options for resolving this matter as quickly as possible. As noted, you could likely...

As noted above, prior to moving forward with any substantial business development you should discuss your ideas with a qualified business attorney in order to assess your risks and liabilities for your type of business. There are quite a few online retailers that have very similar business models/methods as Amazon and (depending on the details of your business) there's a good chance you wouldn't run into any patent infringement issues. Here's a brief "crash course on intellectual property" that...

I agree with the prior answer. To piggy-back on the back and forth comments with the prior answer: the employer would prefer that you don't go to work for a client that you were previously assigned to because you could go do the same work in-house for that client and your prior employer would lose that business. The non-compete agreement is used to keep you, the employee, from competing with the employer after employment is terminated. Whether the Client competes directly with your prior...

Typically you'll want to send a demand letter that outlines the amount you are owed, the terms of the agreement under which the fees are owed, and your ability to pursue legal remedies if the amounts are not paid. Often these letters have more force when they are written and sent by a lawyer. Do you have a written agreement with these customers? Are you willing to accept less than the full amount? Are you willing to allow the customer to pay according to a payment schedule, i.e. not a lump...

When you formed the company did you create an Operating Agreement for the LLC? This document should include provisions that spell out how a member can dissolve the company (generally under the default provisions in Washington, you can see them here http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=25.15.270), and also how members can withdraw from the company. You can always force a dissolution of the company if it is not reasonably practical to carry it on, i.e. it cannot pay its debts when due or...

The prior answer is correct, in the absence of an operating agreement (with specific provisions that govern these types of situations) Washington's LLC statutes will control. Depending on the circumstances there are multiple routes you can take to "remove" the other member of the LLC. You can offer to buy out his interest or you can dissolve the company. Depending on the other member's willingness to dissolve the company, you may be forced to seek a judicial dissolution, see http://apps.leg.wa....