How to Use the Cost Approach to Valuing a Business

July 19, 2022 | Accounting Standards, Financial Planning

The balance sheet — a company’s assets and liabilities — is a logical starting point for valuing certain types of businesses. The cost approach focuses on this part of a company’s financial statements. Here’s an overview to help you understand this valuation technique. How Does It Work? When valuation professionals apply the cost approach, they  Continue Reading »


Federal Appellate Court, 4th District, Affirms District Court as to Violation of ERISA but Allows Offset of Debt Forgiveness in Determining Damages

July 15, 2022 | Court Rulings, Debt & Financing

Walsh v. Vinoskey This case was an appeal from the well-publicized district court case regarding the violation of ERISA regarding the sale of stock by the company owner to a company ESOP. The appellate court affirmed that the district court did not err, finding that the owner had extensive knowledge of the company and prior  Continue Reading »


Remote Work Policies Can Bring Up Some Thorny Issues

July 5, 2022 | Business Plans

You and your valued employees who work far from headquarters can encounter two administrative issues that possibly neither of you contemplated when the remote-working arrangement was agreed to: What happens to health benefits if there are no providers in your plan’s network where the remote employee has moved, and When employees move to another state,  Continue Reading »


One-Third Partner in Real Estate Sued to Have the Partnership Dissolved Then Asked to Vacate His Dissolution Assertion, Which the Appellate Court Denied

June 30, 2022 | Court Rulings

Guttman v Guttman Bruce Guttman (Bruce), Phillip Guttman (Phillip), and Judith Douglas (Judith) are siblings and co-equal general partners of the Guttman Family Limited Partnership (the partnership), which owns real estate in Los Angeles. Bruce sued to dissolve the partnership, and Phillip and Judith initiated a statutory procedure to buy Bruce out. Believing the appraisals  Continue Reading »


Social Media Marketing: The Latest Trends and Services You Need to See

June 21, 2022 | Business Plans

Once upon a time, consumers generally expected a clear line of demarcation between advertising and editorial content. While holdouts remain — especially from older generations — younger audiences who came of age during or after the advent of social media often have no problem with blending the two. So while straightforward “banner” and “tile” digital  Continue Reading »


In a Divorce Case, the California Court of Appeal Rejects Discount for Taxes Not Immediate and Specific But Allows a DLOM

June 16, 2022 | Court Rulings, Divorce Litigation

Harvey v. Harvey This was an appeal and across-appeal in a California divorce case. Michael and Cynthia Harvey were married in 1988. Three years later, Michael formed Enviro Tech ChemicalServices Inc. (Enviro Tech). By 2010, Harvey’s jointly owned 825 shares of EnviroTech, representing nearly 70% of the outstanding stock. In 2011, they entered into a  Continue Reading »


Hiring Workers This Summer and Beyond

June 7, 2022 | Business Plans, Financial Planning

In today’s tight labor market, small businesses — including restaurants, delivery services, retail stores, and manufacturers — struggle to hire and retain top-quality staff. The conditions are likely to worsen in many sectors as demand ramps up during the summer months. To be competitive with other employers, you’ll need to be proactive in identifying candidates  Continue Reading »


Minnesota Appellate Court Upholds Prejudicial Conduct to Oppressed Shareholder and Affirms Disallowance of Marketability Discount

June 2, 2022 | Court Rulings

Gerring Props. v. Gerring The appellate court of Minnesota considered appeals and cross-appeals in a series of shareholders’ disputes. The appellants are Gerring Properties Inc. (GP) and Quality CarWash Operations Ltd. (QCW). QCW operated a family-owned car-wash facility in Minnesota, leasing the land and equipment from GP. The Gerring brothers and some children now “accuse  Continue Reading »


Keep Cybercriminals from Stealing Your Business’s Brand

May 24, 2022 | Business Plans, Fraud Prevention

When criminals steal an individual’s identity, the victim can take steps to minimize potential damage by, for example, notifying credit agencies and freezing bank accounts. But what happens if cybercriminals steal a company’s identity and use it to engage in fraud? This situation can be more complicated — and expensive — to resolve. Fraudsters who  Continue Reading »


California Appellate Court Affirms Exclusion of Testimony From Witness as Being Based on Inadmissible Hearsay Evidence

May 19, 2022 | Court Rulings

HMH Enters. v. TAG Enters The plaintiffs contended the trial court erred in granting two of the defendant’s motions to exclude evidence of the plaintiff’s damages. The appellate court affirmed. The lawsuit concerned the contemplated sale of a laundromat business. The defendant, TAG (Landlord), owns the Cudahy Shopping Center. Minwasa, a tenant of TAG’s, sought  Continue Reading »