Help With Starting A Business And Litigation
Having a great business idea is only one element of creating a successful business. A successful business needs a great deal of planning and thought to getting that idea off the ground.
If you are starting a new business or operating a successful business, you want to do everything you can to create a strong foundation for growth as well as protect your business from unanticipated challenges.
Our attorney at Gordon & Alvestad, PLLC, can help you with all aspects of your business, from startup and formation issues to acquisitions, real estate matters and business litigation challenges.
Helping Businesses Thrive For More Than Three Decades
Our attorney, Paul Alvestad, has over 40 years of business law experience working with clients in and around Gig Harbor and the Tacoma area. He knows the people and this region. He wants your business to succeed and thrive, and his experience can help make that happen.
We have helped clients with a broad range of business law matters, including:
- Business formation
- Contract drafting, review and negotiation
- Buy/sell agreements
- Mergers/acquisitions
- Business succession plans
- Business litigation
- Contract disputes
- Real estate law and litigation
Business Litigation Issues
Life in business is never certain. Partners and business associates can have fallings out, can become ill and even die. Litigation is always a threat.
Our attorney can help by creating solid business structures that protect you and your family from unexpected threats and liability, ensure your contracts are comprehensive and that you receive cost-effective counsel when litigation becomes likely.
Estate Planning For Your Business
Our attorney is also skilled at estate planning, and we can help business owners develop plans to ensure their business continues in the event of incapacity or death. The best time to create this is when everyone is young and healthy, and there is no crisis on the horizon.
A comprehensive succession plan for your business includes buy/sell agreements, as well as a clear management structure, with formal rules that prevent misunderstanding and other disagreements that can lead to conflict and damage a business. Such plans can even protect from issues like a divorce causing problems for the business.
What Washington Business Owners Should Know About The Law
Running a business can raise questions about contracts, licenses and legal disputes. The answers below cover some common business law issues you may face in Gig Harbor and Pierce County.
Can a verbal business contract be legally enforced in a Pierce County court?
Yes, Washington courts may enforce some verbal business agreements. However, certain contracts must be in writing under the state’s statute of frauds. These include agreements that the parties cannot perform within one year, promises to pay another party’s debt and commercial real estate leases exceeding one year.
If you sue over a verbal contract, you have the burden of proving that the parties agreed to specific terms. Emails, invoices, payments and other records may help prove what the parties agreed to. Washington generally gives you three years to sue over a breach of a verbal contract, compared with six years for a written contract.
Do I need a specific Gig Harbor business license to operate my company?
If you operate a business within Gig Harbor city limits, you may need both state and local licenses. Washington businesses generally register through the Department of Revenue, and businesses operating in the city may need a city of Gig Harbor business license endorsement. You should also check local zoning rules and permit requirements before you open a business, enter a commercial lease or run a business from home.
Washington does not impose a corporate income tax, but many businesses must pay business and occupation (B&O) tax on their gross receipts. Keeping your licenses and tax registrations current can help you avoid problems and unexpected penalties.
Where are business lawsuits and commercial disputes typically filed in Gig Harbor?
Because Gig Harbor is in Pierce County, many larger business disputes go to Pierce County Superior Court in downtown Tacoma. The Superior Court handles civil cases such as major contract disputes, partnership conflicts and commercial real estate matters. Pierce County District Court handles civil cases and contract disputes where the amount claimed is $100,000 or less.
The Small Claims Court handles claims up to $10,000 for individuals. However, business entities, such as corporations or LLCs, are capped at $5,000. Attorneys are generally prohibited from representing parties in Small Claims Court without special permission from the judge.
Business disputes often involve strict deadlines, financial risks and complex legal issues. Getting legal guidance early can help you understand your options and decide how to move forward.
Reach Out Today
Our lawyer can help you or your business deal with a wide variety of litigation issues in Tacoma or throughout Washington. Schedule a meeting at our Gig Harbor office by calling 253-666-9219 or using our online contact form.
