Matters Column

A weekly column on matters concerning legal, money, small business, family business and people issues.

ARTICLES

Capturing the wind means keeping control of the sails

May 24, 2013
We often receive an unexpected boost from motivational quotes. Read More

Amount of tax information on Internet of concern to businesses

May 17, 2013
The advent of technology and the Internet has changed the way we live our daily lives and conduct business transactions. Read More

Take care of all the ‘organs’ of a business so it doesn’t die

May 10, 2013
As a person ages, various organs begin to show signs of wear and tear. Read More

Can you ‘divorce proof’ your family-owned business?

May 3, 2013
A significant risk facing family-owned businesses is almost uniformly unaddressed: the risk that the company gets embroiled in the divorce of one of its shareholders. Read More

Estate planning tax update after enactment of ATRA

By now you should have all heard that Congress narrowly averted the country's fall over the "fiscal cliff" at the very last moment (well, actually, after the very last moment, but retroactive to the very last moment) by enacting the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012, known as ATRA. Read More

When opportunity knocks, answer the door

April 19, 2013
When opportunity knocks, some seek to shift the blame, excusing themselves from any responsibility for the challenges that life places before them. Read More

Changes in tax laws require careful consideration

April 12, 2013
My children watched me prepare my 2012 tax return and had some questions. Read More

Reasons for the financial meltdown spelled out

April 5, 2013
One of the great advantages of retirement is having the time to pursue an understanding of events that you could not take the time for when you were working. Read More

Compelling reasons for pre-transition planning

March 29, 2013
Family-business owners often spends a lifetime building theirir business, and it is typically their single largest financial asset. Read More

Revised Uniform Arbitration Act will take effect in July

March 22, 2013
Michigan's "bare bones" arbitration laws have been given more definition by legislation passed during the recent lame duck legislative session. Read More