Search Results

Back DISPUTE RESOLUTION (LITIGATION, ARBITRATION AND MEDIATION) We are committed to working with you, even when negotiations between franchisers and franchisees break down. We believe in mediation, if the parties agree that this is an option for them, then we will do our best at getting their dispute resolved through peaceful means of discussion without any fighting or angering one another along way. When disputes are not resolved, we will arbitrate or litigate on your behalf. Contact If you are in the US or planning to come to the US and would like to schedule a consultation, let's connect. CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE INITIAL CONSULTATION OR EMAIL US ‬ CALL US

Back FRANCHISE LAW Whether taking a proactive role in helping clients to prevent future disputes, representing members of an organization in a corporate dissolution, or handling complex business litigation in a state or federal court – Buschkin Law Firm prides itself on providing clients with uncompromising advocacy and respected professionalism in all aspects of legal representation. If you are looking to buy a franchise, then caution should be exercised before leaping into the opportunity so as to avoid potential risks. Understand the commitment you are undertaking and your rights and obligations as a franchisee. Buschkin Law Firm can help in all aspects of franchise law. If you are a potential franchisee, your business documents are key. Therefore, it is critical to ensure that they are valid, comprehensive and fair before you make a purchase decision. At Buschkin Law Firm, through meticulous contract review and negotiation, we will work to protect your interests. The trademark is the cornerstone of what you are buying with a franchise investment. Our Firm will check that the trademark is a live, valid, federally registered trademark. This process involves checking state records to ensure there will be no trademark infringement claim brought against you. We will also learn about the background of the people and company along with the franchisor’s litigation and bankruptcy disclosures, among other records. In addition, we will review the terms of the franchise agreement and explain the franchisor’s obligations to the franchisees and vice versa. At Buschkin Law Firm, we are prepared to put our experience and insight to work for you as you enter into the world of franchise ownership. Franchise law encompasses rules and regulations at both the state and federal levels. It is essential to have someone on your side who understands this complex network and the impact these laws may have on your business venture. When you come to us, we will provide comprehensive, personalized representation at every stage of the process. This includes setting up your legal entity for you and helping negotiate the commercial lease for your business. Franchise Disclosure Document Read More Franchise Rule Read More Contact If you are in the US or planning to come to the US and would like to schedule a consultation, let's connect. CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE INITIAL CONSULTATION OR EMAIL US ‬ CALL US SERVICES SETTING UP A FRANCHISE SYSTEM Read More FRANCHISE DISCLOSURE ISSUES Read More BUYING A FRANCHISE Read More SELLING A FRANCHISE Read More FRANCHISEE ASSOCIATIONS Read More DISPUTE RESOLUTION Read More AREA DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS Read More PROTECTED MARKETING AREAS Read More REAL ESTATE ASPECTS OF FRANCHISING Read More STRUCTURING BUSINESS ENTITIES Read More

Back Comprehensive Healthcare Surrogate Estate Planning Services We know how important it is to have a health care surrogate in place before the time comes when one is needed. WHAT IS A HEALTH CARE SURROGATE? A health care surrogate is a third party who has been named in advance to make medical decisions on your behalf if you are unable to make those decisions yourself. The term can also be used interchangeably with “health care advanced directives,” “advanced health care directives,” or “health care power of attorney.” When appointing a health care surrogate, it’s very important to choose someone who is attentive, trustworthy, familiar with your medical wishes in various health-related scenarios, and capable of making difficult medical decisions. WHY DO I NEED A HEALTH CARE SURROGATE? Emotions run high during times of medical emergency. Families often have strong feelings about what should happen to their loved ones. If you were to suddenly fall ill, a legal document naming your health care surrogate could help eliminate any confusion about who is responsible for making decisions about your medical care. This will spare your family members from arguing (and in some cases even going to court) over who should be tasked with making difficult decisions regarding your well-being. The written document appointing a health care surrogate is especially important when you have internal family conflict or if you are bypassing family members to appoint a non-family member or companion to serve as your health care surrogate. You may want someone to have access to your medical information immediately, even if you are fully able to make your own decisions. In this way, your surrogate can be fully informed of your medical condition if, at some point in time, the doctors determine that you are unable to make your own decisions for medical care. A properly drafted health care surrogate can add that provision. The final decision on care always remains with you unless the doctor states that you cannot make a decision. We can help you with your advanced health care directive, ensuring that your wishes will be honored in any eventuality. Contact If you are in the US or planning to come to the US and would like to schedule a consultation, let's connect. CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE INITIAL CONSULTATION OR EMAIL US ‬ CALL US

Back IMMIGRATION LAW SERVICES B1-Visa Temporary Business Visitor Read More EB1A - Visa Extraordinary Ability Read More E2 - Visa Treaty Investors Read More EB1C - Visa Multinational Manager or Executive Read More EB2 - Visa Advanced Degree or Exceptional Ability Read More EB5 - Visa Immigrant Investor Program Read More EB3 - Visa Employment-Based Immigration Read More H1B - Visa Specialty Occupations Read More J1- Visa Exchange Visitors Read More O-1 - Visa Individuals with Extraordinary Ability or Achievement Read More L1 - Visa Intracompany Transferee Read More Asylum & Refugee Persecuted in their country of origin Read More LCA Labor Condition Application Read More PERM Program Electronic Review Management Read More Contact If you are in the US or planning to come to the US and would like to schedule a consultation, let's connect. CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE INITIAL CONSULTATION OR EMAIL US ‬ CALL US

Back PROTECTED MARKETING AREAS One of the key business issues in any franchise arrangement is how much protection should be given to a particular market. It needs to balance protecting reasonable marketing areas for locals with giving enough room so that franchisers can maximize their penetration, over time. What happens to the Protected Marketing Area upon renewal should be addressed. When discussing the differences between a “territory” and market, it is important for franchisees to be aware that they may get trapped by their unfamiliarity with business terminology. We will help you analyze the important aspects of your franchise agreement and see that it is fair, protective for both franchiser as well as franchisees. Contact If you are in the US or planning to come to the US and would like to schedule a consultation, let's connect. CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE INITIAL CONSULTATION OR EMAIL US ‬ CALL US

Back Extraordinary Ability Anyone who can demonstrate that they have achieved a certain level of success and recognition in their respective field may qualify for a merit-based visa. You must be able to demonstrate extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics through sustained national or international acclaim. Your achievements must be recognized in your field through extensive documentation. No offer of employment is required. This is the highest level of visa classification and USCIS looks very closely to determine that you have received or been nominated for a major industry award or meet at least 3 of the ten “alternate” criteria Requirements & Eligibility Step one is to assess whether you meet the specified number of criteria outlined below. If the answer to that question is yes, USCIS will perform a subjective, qualitative assessment of whether you are “exceptional.” In order to apply for this category, you must meet 3 out of the 10 criteria listed below: Evidence of receipt of lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards for excellence Evidence of your membership in associations in the field which demand outstanding achievement of their members Evidence of published material about you in professional or major trade publications or other major media Evidence that you have been asked to judge the work of others, either individually or on a panel Evidence of your original scientific, scholarly, artistic, athletic, or business-related contributions of major significance to the field Evidence of your authorship of scholarly articles in professional or major trade publications or other major media Evidence that your work has been displayed at artistic exhibitions or showcases Evidence of your performance of a leading or critical role in distinguished organizations Evidence that you command a high salary or other significantly high remuneration in relation to others in the field Evidence of your commercial successes in the performing arts ELIGIBILITY FOR EXTRAORDINARY ABILITY CLASSIFICATION Sustained National or International Acclaim: In determining whether the beneficiary has enjoyed "sustained" national or international acclaim, the officer should consider that such acclaim must be maintained. However, the term sustained does not imply an age limit on the beneficiary. A beneficiary may be very young or early in his or her career and still be able to show sustained acclaim. There is also no definitive time frame on what constitutes sustained. If a person was recognized for a particular achievement, the officer should determine whether the person continues to maintain a comparable level of acclaim in the field of expertise since the person was originally afforded that recognition. A person may, for example, have achieved national or international acclaim in the past but then failed to maintain a comparable level of acclaim thereafter. Continuing to Work in the Area of Expertise: In general, if a beneficiary has clearly achieved recent national or international acclaim as an athlete and has sustained that acclaim in the field of coaching or managing at a national level, officers can consider the totality of the evidence as establishing an overall pattern of sustained acclaim and extraordinary ability such that USCIS can conclude that coaching is within the beneficiary’s area of expertise. Entry to Substantially Benefit the United States: Whether the petitioner demonstrates that the person’s employment meets this requirement requires a fact-dependent assessment of the case. There is no standard rule as to what will substantially benefit the United States. In some cases, a Request for Evidence (RFE) may be appropriate if an officer is not yet satisfied that the petitioner has met this requirement. EVIDENCE OF EXTRAORDINARY ABILITY In general, the petitioner must submit evidence that: The person has sustained national or international acclaim; and The person’s achievements have been recognized in the field of expertise. The evidence provided in support of the petition must ultimately establish that the beneficiary "is one of that small percentage who have risen to the very top of the field of endeavour." Letters of Endorsement The statements made by the witnesses should be corroborated by documentary evidence in the record. The letters should explain in specific terms why the witnesses believe the beneficiary to be of the calibre of a person with extraordinary ability. It is generally expected that one whose accomplishments have garnered sustained national or international acclaim would have received recognition for his or her accomplishments well beyond the circle of his or her personal and professional acquaintances Two-Step Analysis of Evidence Evaluating Petitions Filed on Behalf of O-1 Non-immigrants Eligibility as an O-1 non-immigrant does not automatically establish eligibility for immigrant extraordinary ability classification. Each petition is separate and independent and must be adjudicated on its own merits, under the corresponding statutory and regulatory provisions. Officers issuing denials in such cases should provide a brief discussion as to why, notwithstanding the previous O-1 non-immigrant visa petition approval, the petitioner has failed to meet its burden to establish the beneficiary’s eligibility for approval of the immigrant petition for classification as a person with extraordinary ability. Application process For all of EB1 visas you must file form I-140, Petition for Alien Worker. For visa EB-1(a) you may petition for yourself. The I-140 is filed with USCIS and, depending on whether or not the green card is current, an I-485 form can be filed. This application can also be done while outside of the U.S., a process by which the I-140 is filed with USCIS and the applicant receives the green card through consular processing. Through this process, once I-140 is approved, schedule an appointment with the U.S. consulate or embassy in the home country to have an interview with a consular officer. Here you should bring the printed completion of DS-260 online immigrant application. If eligible,a package will be given. Do not open this packet, this will be given at the port of entry when inspected. Contact If you are in the US or planning to come to the US and would like to schedule a consultation, let's connect. CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE INITIAL CONSULTATION OR EMAIL US ‬ CALL US

Back BUYING A FRANCHISE The terms and conditions of your franchise agreement (and all other relevant documents) will be reviewed with you. Some of the issues that should be considered include: The length of the agreement and whether or not renewal is allowed are both important considerations when choosing an exclusive territory license; Requirements (including deadlines) to open the franchise; Refundability (or not) of the franchise fee; The franchiser’s trademarks; Conditions surrounding the opening of your franchised unit; Restrictions on transfer; Default/termination provisions; Requirements to refurbish/renovate the location; Venue and choice of law provisions with respect to dispute resolution. We will provide you with a comprehensive analysis of our insights and conclusions, along with any necessary modifications to ensure your agreement meets the standards set by franchisers. We can also assist in negotiating these changes if purchasing an existing franchise business. We will review (or prepare) the purchase agreement and other necessary documents, negotiate the appropriate modifications and work with you through and after the closing. Contact If you are in the US or planning to come to the US and would like to schedule a consultation, let's connect. CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE INITIAL CONSULTATION OR EMAIL US ‬ CALL US

Back Immigrant Investor Program The EB5 visa offers US permanent residency in exchange for a minimum $900,000 investment in the United States. It is one of the fastest and most effective routes to a Green Card, which offers freedom to live, work, study or retire anywhere in America. The government makes 10,000 of these green cards available every year and, so far, the number of applicants has always been below the cap. The key advantage of this Visa is the speed with which you can get a green card. The downside is that it is a very complex legal area and the Visa petition requires extensive documentation. Also, the EB-5 Visa requires a substantial investment. Requirements & Eligibility There are 5 main criteria to get an EB-5 Visa. They are as follows: You must invest or be actively in the process of investing either $1,800,000 or $900,000 (the lower, $900,000 investment is permitted in rural or high unemployment settings, which are also known as “targeted employment areas,” or “TEA”) You must show that the funds come from a legitimate source The entire amount of the investment must be active or at risk (this means that you cannot just be thinking about buying a business, and you have to put up capital that could be lost) You must make the investment in a “new” or “existing business enterprise” (this allows you to create your own business or buy one); and You must demonstrate that the investment directly or indirectly results in the creation or preservation of ten full time jobs. If you can meet these criteria, you are well on your way to getting an EB-5 Visa. The process, though, is not simple, and you will need a qualified lawyer (and perhaps an accountant) to navigate through this complex area. When filing your petition you must apply to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) and submit a number of required documents including: immigration forms, personal financial information, business plans, a legal brief summarizing how you have met all of the elements of the statute, and other supporting evidence. CAPITAL INVESTMENT REQUIREMENTS Capital means cash, equipment, inventory, other tangible property, cash equivalents, and indebtedness secured by assets owned by immigrant investors, if they are personally and primarily liable and the assets of the new commercial enterprise upon which the petition is based are not used to secure any of the indebtedness. All capital will be valued at fair-market value in U.S. dollars. Assets acquired, directly or indirectly, by unlawful means (such as criminal activities) will not be considered capital. Immigrant investors must establish that they are the legal owner of the capital invested. Capital can include their promise to pay (a promissory note) under certain circumstances. The minimum investment amounts by filing date and investment location are: A targeted employment area can be, at the time of investment, either: A Rural Area: any area other than an area within a metropolitan statistical area (MSA) having a population of 20,000 or more An Area with high unemployment: Where the new commercial enterprise is principally doing business and the area has experienced an average unemployment rate of at least 150% of the national average unemployment rate. JOB CREATION REQUIREMENTS An EB-5 investor must invest the required amount of capital in a new commercial enterprise that will create full-time positions for at least 10 qualifying employees. Direct investment: not located within a regional center, must itself be the employer of the qualifying employees. Regional center: can directly or indirectly create full-time positions by creating: Direct jobs that establish an employer-employee relationship between the new commercial enterprise and the persons it employs. Indirect jobs created as a result of the new commercial enterprise. Troubled business: investors may rely on job maintenance. Must show that the number of existing employees is, or will be, no less than the pre-investment level for a period of at least two years. Application Process There are a number of steps that investors must complete to get a green card through the EB-5 visa program. The process is complicated, but if you have the funds, this is an excellent way for someone and their family to get green cards and ultimately become U.S. citizens. Here are the 5 (five) key steps to get an EB-5 Visa: Step 1: Find The Appropriate Investment “Project” Individual investor must locate an investment project or business on their own Investors can invest through “Regional Centers” Regional Center Pilot Program: investors can act more as passive investors and contribute funds to government-recognized entities Step 2: Make a Capital Investment and Your Attorney Files an I-526 Petition Invest the required investment amount in the project that they have chosen Often made into an escrow account I-526 Petition: Prove creation of 10 full time jobs, usually supported by a comprehensive business plan Prove that the funds came from a legitimate source Step 3: Request for Information An EB-5 Visa petition is an extremely complex and document-intensive petition New enterprise: the exact nature or basis of the financial data or strategy may not be apparent Government often requests additional information from applicants after the I-526 has been filed Step 4: Apply For A Conditional Green Card (Part 1) One of requirements for EB-5 is hiring 10 full-time U.S. workers Government will issue you a conditional green card for two years At the end of the two years: prove that you have hired the required employees Eligible for this conditional green card once their I-526 petition has been approved Step 5: Removal of Conditions on the Green Card (Part 2) File an I-829 petition 90 days prior to the anniversary of the date that the applicant first received their conditional residency Government usually issues a permanent green card around 6 months Wait for “USCIS” and Department of State to schedule an interview Before getting “official” green card, it has conditions imposed for a two-year period COMMON QUESTIONS WHAT ARE PHYSICAL PRESENCE REQUIREMENTS FOR EB-5 INVESTORS? There is no 180-day rule. If you have a green card, you are expected to live here and pay taxes. You are allowed to be abroad for a few months with good reason. If you out for more than one year, the green card is technically terminated. For this reason, you should apply for a re-entry permit which authorizes absences of up to two years, if approved. HOW CAN I TRAVEL WITH MY EB-5 I-829 RECEIPT NOTICE IN THE ABSENCE OF A GREEN CARD? The I-829 receipt extends your evidence of green card status for 18 months. Take a copy of the PR card, I-90 receipt and I-829 receipt. If you can get another passport stamp, get that, but they are hard to get these days. Contact If you are in the US or planning to come to the US and would like to schedule a consultation, let's connect. CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE INITIAL CONSULTATION OR EMAIL US ‬ CALL US

Back PROBATE & PROBATE AVOIDANCE Protect your loved ones from the hardship of distributing your estate, or get help managing the estate of a loved one. HOW WE CAN HELP: Assist with the probate process to ease the burden on your loved ones Speed up the process for you, ensure that it’s done right the first time, and make sure that your application gets approved Navigate restrictions so that you qualify for all of the assistance you need When you or a loved one passes away, an estate’s transition, called probate, goes into effect. Usually, the family is responsible, alongside a probate attorney, for distributing probate assets. Probate can go smoothly if funds and wills were created and are accessible, but not all people prepare for it. Probate starts with submitting a last will and testament, if there is one, and then moves onto organizing assets and property into a catalog of inventory. Creditor, attorney, and court fees are paid first. Only then is the estate legally transferred to beneficiaries and heirs. We are here to help you plan to avoid probate or represent you in probate court. PROBATE ASSETS VS. NON-PROBATE ASSETS Probate assets include assets for which the deceased person was the sole owner or jointly owned assets which lacked provisions for automatic succession of ownership at death. Non-probate assets include jointly held property for which ownership includes the “right of survivorship.” In this situation, the surviving owner automatically owns the property when the other owner dies. We can help you avoid probate by creating a revocable living trust to plan for the management of your assets in the event of your incapacity or death. Avoiding probate with the help of a qualified attorney is especially important for high-net-worth individuals. Many jointly owned properties and certain types of bank accounts can be set up so that they will automatically be transferred to the person you wish to inherit them at your death. PROBATE AVOIDANCE Probate can be a lengthy process. Beneficiaries must wait until the process of paying back creditors during probate is completed to receive their inheritance. Financial costs are involved in commencing and administering a probate proceeding including filing court fees, the fees of the Personal Representative, and the fees of the attorney administering the estate. When a Will goes through probate, it becomes a public record. In contrast, Trusts can avoid the process of probate and remain private. It is always recommended to avoid ancillary probate for out-of-state real and tangible personal property owned. MAKE IT SIMPLE Legislation has made the probate process as painless as possible, but there are always hiccups along the way. We’ll take the stress out of it by helping when wills are challenged, documents are lost, or creditors get confused. The law can be confusing, especially in times of grief, and people might try to exploit your situation. We make sure that doesn’t happen and provide complete clarity about your affairs. We also make probate faster, so you pay less in court fees. We understand the loss of a loved one is difficult and painful. We never want you to put off your own care for lengthy, contested probate. We’re committed to supporting you and ensuring that the process goes as smoothly as possible. COMMON QUESTIONS HOW CAN I PLAN TO AVOID OR MINIMIZE PROBATE? The best way to ensure that your family won’t be tangled up in a costly and lengthy probate case is to have a fully funded, revocable living trust. Your living trust should be fully funded with your assets. Any assets that are still in your name will have to go through probate, so make sure that all of your assets are titled in your trust. WHAT IF THERE IS NO WILL? If a family member dies without leaving a will and there are significant assets or property that you believe you have a claim to, it would be wise to hire an estate administration attorney to protect your interests. If a person dies without a will and has no living family members closer than a first cousin, relatives who believe they have a claim will have to prove so in a kinship hearing. This is a lengthy process requiring multiple hearings, but with experienced attorneys on your team, you will be spared much of the difficulty. DO I NEED AN ATTORNEY FOR PROBATE? It’s recommended because the process is so formalistic, thorough, and complex, and you don’t want to expose yourself to liability. Contact If you are in the US or planning to come to the US and would like to schedule a consultation, let's connect. CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE INITIAL CONSULTATION OR EMAIL US ‬ CALL US

Back REAL ESTATE ASPECTS OF FRANCHISING With our help, you'll be able to find the perfect location for your business. We are an expert team that can easily analyze and negotiate any lease or sublet agreement. We will make you aware of clauses that can cost you money over the term of your lease; tax clauses, common area maintenance clauses, percentage increases, and percentage overage clauses. We will advise you of the ramifications of these provisions and help you negotiate them. We will ensure that your right to assign or sublet is not overly restrictive. What about lease guarantees and “good guy” guarantees? We can help you protect yourself in these areas. We will help you negotiate your “work letter,” your construction contract, and your construction (or acquisition) financing loan agreement. Dollars count. Let us help you to save them. Contact If you are in the US or planning to come to the US and would like to schedule a consultation, let's connect. CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE INITIAL CONSULTATION OR EMAIL US ‬ CALL US

Back ESTATE &TRUST ADMINISTRATION We work with family members who have been appointed trustee, executor or personal representative of their loved one’s estate, as well as professional fiduciaries (corporate trustees and professional guardians) who serve in that capacity. HOW WE CAN HELP: Advise trustees on legal aspects of trust administration Ensure that distributions are carried out according to the wishes of the grantor Navigate through the maze of rules and regulations Our level of involvement is different depending on the case: while some clients need only minimal guidance on their duties and legal obligation as personal representatives and trustees, others desire additional engagement from their attorneys. We will accommodate both types of demands for services. TRUST ADMINISTRATION Trust administration refers to the trustees’ management of trust property according to the trust document’s terms and for the benefit of the beneficiaries after the settlor’s death. Many steps are required to safeguard effective administration. It is recommended to work with an attorney to help facilitate the process for the trustees throughout the process. ESTATE ADMINISTRATION Whenever a person dies, his or her estate needs to be collected and managed. Estate administration involves gathering the assets of the estate, paying the decedent's debts, and distributing the remaining assets. Without a basic understanding of the estate administration process, the whole experience can be pretty overwhelming. We advise trustees on legal issues related to trust administration. With our knowledge, we offer our clients the tools they need to make difficult decisions and fulfill their fiduciary obligations to the beneficiaries. Having a properly drafted and funded trust may help you avoid the stressful and complex probate process. But even when the courts are not involved in overseeing the administration of a trust, the trustee nevertheless has many of the same responsibilities as a representative in probate proceedings. The trustee has a duty to appropriately administer the trust, which includes notifying trust beneficiaries, collecting and investing trust assets, paying debts, and addressing tax issues. Fulfilling these requirements often takes significant time, effort, and knowledge of law. At Buschkin Law Firm, we understand that many trustees have little experience serving as a fiduciary. Our goal is to make this process as simple as possible. Contact If you are in the US or planning to come to the US and would like to schedule a consultation, let's connect. CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE INITIAL CONSULTATION OR EMAIL US ‬ CALL US

Back FRANCHISE DISCLOSURE ISSUES You may be buying or selling a franchise, but the FDD is necessary for both buyers and sellers to know. This disclosure document gives you all of what’s required under recently revised rules from July 1st 2008 (Amended Franchise Rule 16 C.F.R. Part 436) which will help protect consumers with their investment decisions. If you are a prospective franchisee, we will thoroughly review your application and advise you on the background, financial status, litigation history of any franchisers involved in this transaction. If you are a franchiser, we can help with the process by creating a franchise program for you. We'll review or prepare all of those documents and agreements so that they're ready when it comes time to register you as a seller of franchises in the states that require it. States that require FDD: California, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Minnesota, New York, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin Michigan has a notice filing requirement Oregon has a disclosure requirement but no filing requirement We're here to help you get your business off the ground and running smoothly. We’re sure we can provide all of those legal services necessary for launching or continuing franchising businesses. Contact If you are in the US or planning to come to the US and would like to schedule a consultation, let's connect. CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE INITIAL CONSULTATION OR EMAIL US ‬ CALL US