May 23, 2026
What Happens When an LLC Gets Sued?
You formed an LLC to protect yourself. That is one of the main reasons people choose the LLC structure. And the good news is: it works. Most business owners who get sued through t…
Surge Business Law
Legal Issues
Browse 89 articles tagged with Legal Issues.
May 15, 2026
How to Fire an Employee: Documentation That Wins Appeals
Three employees challenged their firings. All three lost. The difference between their employers winning and losing was not the severity of what the employees did. It was the pape…
April 7, 2026
Absentee LLC Member? Your Legal Options for Dealing with an Inactive Partner
You started a business with someone you trusted. You split the work, pooled your money, and filed the LLC paperwork together. Then, somewhere along the way, your partner stopped s…
April 7, 2026
AI in HR: How Automated Tools Create Pregnancy Discrimination Risk
AI tools are showing up in every part of the hiring and management process. Resume screeners, scheduling algorithms, performance scoring systems, and attendance trackers all promi…
April 7, 2026
Pregnant Workers Fairness Act: Employer Guide
If your business has 15 or more employees, the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) applies to you. It took effect in June 2023, and the EEOC finalized its regulations in 2024. Th…
April 7, 2026
The First 72 Hours After a Data Breach: A Business Owner's Guide
You just found out that your business data has been compromised. Customer records, employee information, financial data. Something got out. Your stomach drops. Now what? The next…
April 7, 2026
Cybersecurity Compliance for Small Businesses: What You Actually Need
If you run a small business that handles customer data, credit card numbers, or health records, you have legal obligations around cybersecurity. The size of your company does not…
April 7, 2026
Shadow AI Is a Legal Risk for Your Business, Not Just an IT Problem
Your employees are probably using AI tools right now. They are pasting customer data into ChatGPT, running financial projections through free AI apps, and summarizing client commu…
April 7, 2026
Data Breach Law: What Small Businesses Must Know
If your business collects customer names, Social Security numbers, credit card data, or even login credentials, you are holding information that state law requires you to protect.…
April 7, 2026
Texas Business License Requirements for Small Businesses (2026)
Here is the most important thing to understand about starting a business in Texas: forming your LLC or corporation with the Secretary of State does not mean you are fully licensed…
April 6, 2026
Adding a Co-Owner to Your LLC? What to Know First
Adding a co-owner to your LLC can be one of the best things you ever do for your business. A strong partner brings capital, skills, and shared responsibility. But it can also be o…
March 13, 2026
Texas Payday Law and TWC Wage Claims, Employer Guide (2026)
A notice from the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) telling you an employee has filed a wage claim requires an immediate response, not because it’s an emergency, but because Texas…
March 13, 2026
How to Legally Fire an Employee in Texas
Texas is an at-will employment state. That means you can terminate an employee for any reason or no reason, as long as the reason isn’t an illegal one. What it doesn’t mean is tha…
March 13, 2026
Hiring Contractors in a Healthcare Practice: HIPAA BAAs a…
Healthcare practices face an employment question that other businesses do not: every time you bring on a contractor who will touch patient information, you have two separate legal…
March 13, 2026
Iowa Wage Claims: What to Do When an Employee Files a…
A letter from the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (DIAL) telling you an employee has filed a wage claim requires an immediate response, not because it’s an…
March 13, 2026
Protecting Your Business When an Employee Leaves: Non-Sol…
Most small business owners don’t think about post-employment protections until after someone has left. A key employee joins a competitor, starts their own competing business, or t…
March 13, 2026
What to Do When an Employee Is Stealing or Committing Fra…
Finding out an employee has been stealing from you, money, client data, company photos, or billing for services never rendered, is one of the most disorienting things that happens…
March 13, 2026
How to Legally Fire an Employee in Iowa
Iowa is an at-will employment state. That means you can terminate an employee for any reason or no reason, as long as the reason isn’t an illegal one. What it doesn’t mean is that…
March 11, 2026
What to Do After You Buy a Business: Post-Closing Checklist
Closing day isn't the finish line. It's the starting line. If you're wondering what to do after you buy a business, the first 30-90 days are critical. You need to transfer ownersh…
March 11, 2026
How to Buy Out a Business Partner: A Legal Guide
Buying out a business partner is one of the most common, and most emotionally charged, business transactions. Whether you're parting ways amicably or dealing with a difficult situ…
March 11, 2026
How to Buy a Franchise: Legal Considerations Every Buyer Should Know
Buying a franchise is different from buying an independent business. You're not just acquiring assets and customers. You're entering a legal relationship with a franchisor that go…
March 11, 2026
Letter of Intent to Buy a Business: What to Include
A Letter of Intent (LOI) is the document that moves a business acquisition from "interested" to "serious." It outlines the basic terms you and the seller are agreeing to before ei…
March 11, 2026
How Much Does It Cost to Buy a Business? Complete Breakdown
The purchase price is just one part of what you'll spend when buying a business. There are legal fees, due diligence costs, financing charges, license transfers, and working capit…
March 11, 2026
The Hidden Risks of Buying a Business Without a Lawyer
Some business buyers try to handle the transaction themselves to save money. They download a template purchase agreement, skip formal due diligence, and hope for the best. Sometim…
March 11, 2026
What Is an Asset Purchase Agreement? A Buyer's Guide
An Asset Purchase Agreement (APA) is the legal contract that governs the sale of a business. It defines exactly what you're buying, what you're paying, and what protections each s…
March 11, 2026
How to Do Due Diligence When Buying a Business: Complete Checklist
Due diligence when buying a business is the investigation you conduct after signing a Letter of Intent but before committing to the purchase. It's your one chance to verify the se…
March 11, 2026
How to Buy a Business: A Step-by-Step Legal Guide (2026)
Buying a business is one of the fastest ways to become a business owner, but the legal side of the transaction is where deals succeed or fall apart. A bad contract, missed liabili…
March 3, 2025
Is Your Iowa Business at Risk? How to File Your Biennial Report Before It’s Too Late
Filing your Iowa biennial report is crucial to keeping your business legally compliant. You can do it using our step-by-step video guide. Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/wa…
February 20, 2025
Is Your S-Corp Costing You? The Benefits of Switching to an LLC with the IRS
Running an S-Corporation could be costing you in ways you didn’t expect. In what ways, you ask? Let’s break this down in this blog. Watch this video to learn how understandi…
January 10, 2025
Why was My Appointment Cancelled?
Surge Business Law helps many businesses. Because of our popularity we are often targeted by scammers. For that reason, we have tools and policies that can sometimes be a little a…
January 6, 2025
Transfer Business to Family Member: A Complete Guide
Transferring a business to a family member is a meaningful way to preserve your legacy and ensure the future success of your company. Whether you’re passing the torch to the next…
January 6, 2025
What Happens After a Demand Letter? Exploring Negotiation Packages
Receiving or sending a demand letter is often just the first step in resolving a business dispute. Whether it’s a partnership disagreement, a late payment, or a breach of contract…
January 6, 2025
My Business Received a Demand Letter—What Should I Do Next?
Receiving a demand letter can be unsettling, especially if you’re unsure how to respond. But rather than panic, it’s important to understand what a demand letter means and how you…
January 6, 2025
How Much Does a Lawyer Demand Letter Cost?
When legal disputes arise, a demand letter can be an effective way to resolve the issue without going to court. But how much should you expect to pay for this service? Understandi…
Business Buying or Selling a Business Contracts Legal Issues Starting a Business Tax Issues Starting a Business
January 6, 2025
Buying an Existing Business: Practical Legal Guide (2026)
Buying an existing business can be a fast way to become an owner. It can also be a fast way to inherit expensive problems if you skip the legal and financial checks. This guide gi…
December 9, 2024
How Much to Sell a Business For: Determining Your Business’s Worth
One of the biggest questions any business owner faces when thinking about selling is, "How much is my business worth?" It’s an important question, and the answer can feel elusive—…
November 1, 2024
November is Tax Planning Month for Businesses
Don’t let the clock run out on your 2024 tax savings—November is the time to plan! As the year wraps up, November is the perfect month to take control of your taxes. Why? For busi…
October 31, 2024
What is a Registered Agent?
Because a registered agent helps your business run smoothly, it’s important for you to understand their role in your business. It’s a benefit to you. However, aside from a smooth-…
October 29, 2024
What to Include in Your LLC's Articles of Organization: How to File
Ready to launch your LLC? Here’s what you need to know first: File your LLC’s articles of organization. This is one of the most important steps in registering your LLC. Articles o…
October 8, 2024
What You Need To Know When Hiring Multiple Lawyers for One Case
Hiring more than one lawyer to handle a legal matter is possible, however, don’t do this wrong! You could be in big trouble if you don’t follow proper procedures. The first step t…
October 5, 2024
What is Common Law? Understanding Why Most Civil Lawsuits Never Reach Trial
Here’s an important fact about our American justice system: We follow what’s called Common Law, where courts rely on past rulings to interpret and enforce laws. Unlike laws passed…
October 2, 2024
What Happens In Small Claims Court?
Have you ever wondered what happens in a small claims process? What should you expect? Filing a small claims lawsuit is simpler and less costly than larger court cases. This video…
September 24, 2024
Preventing and Resolving Stakeholder Conflicts in Partnerships, LLCs, and Corporations
Dave Ramsey famously said that partnerships rarely work. The reason is that partnerships are so easy to form that often little effort is put into planning for conflicts. When you…
September 21, 2024
Can You Add an Owner to an LLC? Here’s What You Need to Know
LLCs can have multiple owners, even if initially there was only a single owner. When you add a co-owner to your LLC, you’re not just adding a name to the paperwork—you’re adding a…
September 19, 2024
Understanding Sublicensing: What It Is and Why It Matters
What is a sublicense? When you have the right to use someone else’s work and you want to allow a different person or company to also use it, that is a sublicense. This is a legall…
September 13, 2024
Make Money from Your Ideas: A Guide to Intellectual Property Licensing and Assignments
You’ve invested heavily in your business – your brand, your processes, your ideas, and inventions… your intellectual property. These take time and money, and if others had access…
September 10, 2024
Why Being the Best in your Industry Could Still Lead to Business Closure
Can you be the best in your skills and still end up with a failed business? Yes. Skill alone doesn't translate to profit. While expertise in a craft—like fencing, painting or deck…
August 19, 2024
What Is a Personal Guarantee in Business?
Entrepreneurs often question whether to sign a personal guarantee for their business transactions when starting a new business. Watch this video for more information on what a per…
August 17, 2024
Subletting vs. Assigning - What’s the Difference ?
Understanding the difference between subletting and assigning is essential for tenants and landlords alike. This video explains what you should know. https://youtu.be/zaPoO7J6xTc…
August 15, 2024
Understanding Commercial and Residential Leases
Are you considering renting property but unsure of the differences between commercial and residential leases? Watch this video to discover the key differences. https://youtu.be/4_…
August 13, 2024
Should You Use an Attorney to Set Up an LLC for Real Estate?
Setting up a Limited Liability Company (LLC) for real estate ventures can be wise for investors looking to protect their assets and manage liabilities effectively. However, should…
August 7, 2024
Handling Unemployment Benefit Claims and Wage Disputes
Unemployment benefit claims and wage disputes are challenging to deal with. It’s no wonder employers get confused and make mistakes in the process. Does this sound like you? Watch…
August 4, 2024
Does It Cost to Shut down My Business?
Is there a price tag on closing down your business? The short answer is, YES IT DOES have cost. Watch this video to know more details. https://youtu.be/yZlVHvhx_pk Let's delve int…
July 28, 2024
Smart Spending: Maximizing Return on Investment for Your Business
How can you tell if a business expense is maximizing on Return on Investment (ROI)? This might involve evaluating your financial strategy, so buckle up. If you are a business owne…
July 26, 2024
Prioritize Your Pay: Advice for Business Owners
As a business owner, it's essential to understand the importance of paying yourself promptly. This video will explore why delaying payment to yourself could harm your finances and…
July 24, 2024
How to Pay Yourself: A Guide for Small Business Owners
"I can put it off." "One day I'll be making bank... but for now, I'll pinch pennies." "It won't be for long." If you've ever thought this way, you're in danger. Why? Business owne…
July 14, 2024
How Do I Know What Services to Charge Sales Tax For?
Why do some services charge a sales tax while others don't? And is there a simple resource to clarify sales tax obligations? Watch this video for more information. https://youtu.b…
July 12, 2024
How to Collaborate the Right Way: Tips for Software Developers
Would you work with other collaborators without a partnership agreement? If you are a software developer working in collaboration with teams, here’s a word of caution - never get…
July 10, 2024
Do I Need to Copyright My Source Code?
When you create something, like a video, painting, or computer source code, it's automatically copyrighted. You’ve created it, so you have the right to limit how it is copied. But…
July 8, 2024
Managing Bad Employees
Managing work productivity is tricky. Why, you may ask? Employees are not created equal. Some will perform well, while others need some attention. These are the ones who often und…
July 4, 2024
How to Start a Business Remotely and Save on Startup Expenses
Launching a business is exciting but comes with financial challenges. By strategically setting up your remote business, you can manage costs effectively just like what this video…
July 1, 2024
What To Watch for in Terms and Conditions
Have you ever read through a contract's terms and conditions and felt lost? Some people pay close attention to details, while others don't think much about it, but understan…
June 29, 2024
How to Protect Your Intellectual Property
Are you giving away your intellectual property without knowing it? Watch this video if intellectual property in source code catches your interest. https://youtu.be/L3w4LHw2GbQ Whe…
June 27, 2024
Understanding the Importance of an LLC for Your First Rental Property
Is forming a limited liability company (LLC) necessary when purchasing a rental property? Watch this video to learn more. https://youtu.be/DQgBU6vjblk It is not mandatory, however…
June 25, 2024
Moving Rental Property into an LLC
Many property owners transfer their rental properties into a limited liability company (LLC) to protect their assets and as a management strategy. Watch the full video to know wha…
June 21, 2024
Understanding When to Get a Will
Planning for the future involves making important decisions, and one of the most significant is knowing when to get a will. https://youtu.be/r-OsCaPtJ9g Deciding when to get a wil…
June 19, 2024
Can You Call Out Competitors in Ads?
Have you ever wondered if you can boldly compare your product to a competitor's in your advertising? https://youtu.be/_LQ5AIyqBJM?si=R9F_plU_OrDEIwOj The Federal Trade Commission…
June 17, 2024
Are Product Spinoffs Good for Companies?
When a company has multiple products, should they keep them all together under one roof or split them into different businesses? What is the better option? https://youtu.be/gTlFhn…
June 7, 2024
Difference Between Sub-Licensing and Assignment in Intellectual Property
Ever wondered about the differences between letting others use your ideas, giving them partial control, or handing over complete ownership? Let's break down sub-licensing and assi…
May 15, 2024
Typical Consequences of Business Closures
If my business is dissolved, do I stop owing money right away? And what do I do first? https://www.youtube.com/shorts/JCA-3ZFzwkQ Many businesses cease operations for various reas…
May 15, 2024
Why is Freedom of Speech Important?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IvK-F0oSbM Freedom of speech means different things to different people, but essentially, it's our fundamental right to express ourselves without…
May 15, 2024
Why an LLC is Better than a NonProfit
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=to_gi7rWdtA When it comes to starting a business, which requires more work—starting a nonprofit or forming a limited liability corporation? The ans…
May 15, 2024
Am I Liable for Breach of Contract if There’s No Money Involved?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taWu6_LTlbk Can a valid contract exist without money exchanging hands? Absolutely. A contract exists where there is a meeting of the minds be…
May 15, 2024
Understanding Director Liabilities in Business
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIiUSChXFl0 Can a company director be held liable if the business shuts down? The general answer is that there is no personal liability if the dire…
May 11, 2024
How to Manage Defamatory Statements to Avoid Financial Loss
Can bad reviews and defamatory statements affect your business financially? https://youtu.be/ZJMauTLukm4 Bad reviews and derogatory statements against a business are forms of defa…
May 11, 2024
How to Know if Content is Available for Commercial Use?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LLEBGf7M7A It's a nightmare for creators to see their original work used without permission, but it happens frequently. Protections are in place f…
May 11, 2024
How Does A Succession Plan Work?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzsorHW6AoE Is a succession plan necessary for business owners? Absolutely! If you're a business owner, having a succession plan in place is crucia…
May 11, 2024
Effective Strategies for Managing Stakeholder Conflicts
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFkLQ4S9tJ0 Is it crucial to resolve stakeholder conflicts swiftly in an organization? What does that entail? Stakeholder conflicts can cause disru…
May 11, 2024
How to Protect Against Defamation as a Small Business
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AW4SvC2ZA7s&feature=youtu.be The desired outcome for any defamation claim against a small business is a retraction or compensation. But c…
May 11, 2024
The Impacts of a Demand Letter
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/OXeSHY6Ic10?si=Sbx3MvkZ3K7xKPQc Does sending a demand letter from an attorney work? Yes, it is one of the ways to formally request a specific…
January 11, 2024
What it's Like to Sell Your Business (Webinar Video)
Selling your business is exciting and scary. The dream of a big check captures many founders’ minds. Sadly, deals often fall through or are far more difficult than necessary. Matt…
August 25, 2023
Service Animal Fraud is Criminal in Iowa
A service animal is an unclear term in the U.S. because different parts of the law use different terms to describe animals that help their owners by providing either a necessary o…
May 2, 2023
Benefit Corporations vs Public Benefit Corporations in Iowa
In 2021, Iowa enacted a new type of corporation, the Benefit Corporation, via HF844, signed by Governor Reynolds June 8, 2021. This added subchapter 17 to chapter 490 of the Iowa…
December 30, 2022
Buying or Selling a Business in Iowa – What You Need to Know
We love helping our clients buy or sell a business and have worked with many clients on deals as small as $30,000 up to millions. Buying or selling a business in Iowa isn't as str…
April 11, 2022
What happens to the security deposit if a tenant leaves before the lease ends?
A lease to rent a home is a contract, but landlord/tenant law can cause some unusual results compared to other areas of contract law. When a tenant breaks their lease they are bre…
January 4, 2022
Iowa's Low-Speed Electric Bicycle law
As of January 1st, 2022, a new Iowa law takes effect that more clearly defines the rules around bicycles assisted with electric motors, commonly called "e-bikes." I support having…
November 25, 2021
Should my spouse be listed as a co-owner of my LLC?
This is a surprisingly common question, and the answer is usually no, your spouse should not be a co-owner of the LLC. The exception is if your state does not protect sole owners…
November 25, 2021
Help, my LLC was administratively dissolved, what do I do?
Don't panic, this is fixable! In Iowa and most states, you must regularly check that the information you gave to the state about your business is correct. Usually, you also pay a…
November 25, 2021
Do I need LLC as part of my business name?
Yes, in Iowa and most states, you must have some variation of LLC as part of your legal name. It does not have to be exactly "LLC," but you probably should because people are used…