Articles & News - DODSON Legal

Articles & News

March 2, 2021
Debt versus Equity Offerings

Debt vs. Equity Offerings

Companies may require additional capital to cover operational costs, expansions, or any other business activity they want to engage in. Borrowing from lending institutions can be hectic, so some companies opt to advance either through equity offerings or debt offerings. In both these arrangements, a company is getting money, but the payment terms are different. In this article, we’ve discussed equity offerings and debt offerings, highlighting the important aspects of the two and how they differ from each other.
March 2, 2021
What Do Investors Want to Know?

What Do Investors Want to Know?

Starting a business can be very expensive. Most entrepreneurs will try and look for investors to fund their idea. Some might not know that an investor will never invest in a venture that does not show promise of future success. That is why you should be able to convince them that your idea will be profitable. How do you do this? For one, your idea should be unique, and you should have records of past or projected financial performance. You should also show that you can grow the business to new heights regardless of the environment the business will be operating in. This article is best suited for an entrepreneur who wants to market their idea to potential investors. Read on for more insight on what investors want to know.
March 2, 2021
What is a security?

What is a Security?

When you hear "purchasing a security," you automatically think of public offerings (this is where people purchase stocks of a publicly held company). Yes, publicly-traded stocks are securities, but they are not the only securities available. The word security has a broad meaning. It encompasses, among a host of other investment vehicles and instruments, stocks, treasury stock, notes, debentures, interests in oil and gas wells, and mineral rights, among others. But how do you know whether something is a security under the Securities Act? The answer is pretty simple, the Howey Test. The Howey test is used to determine, using three elements, whether a product meets the definition of "Security" under federal securities laws. Read on for more insight on this issue.
March 2, 2021
Debt versus Equity Offerings

Debt vs. Equity Offerings

Companies may require additional capital to cover operational costs, expansions, or any other business activity they want to engage in. Borrowing from lending institutions can be hectic, so some companies opt to advance either through equity offerings or debt offerings. In both these arrangements, a company is getting money, but the payment terms are different. In this article, we’ve discussed equity offerings and debt offerings, highlighting the important aspects of the two and how they differ from each other.
March 2, 2021
What Do Investors Want to Know?

What Do Investors Want to Know?

Starting a business can be very expensive. Most entrepreneurs will try and look for investors to fund their idea. Some might not know that an investor will never invest in a venture that does not show promise of future success. That is why you should be able to convince them that your idea will be profitable. How do you do this? For one, your idea should be unique, and you should have records of past or projected financial performance. You should also show that you can grow the business to new heights regardless of the environment the business will be operating in. This article is best suited for an entrepreneur who wants to market their idea to potential investors. Read on for more insight on what investors want to know.
March 2, 2021
What is a security?

What is a Security?

When you hear "purchasing a security," you automatically think of public offerings (this is where people purchase stocks of a publicly held company). Yes, publicly-traded stocks are securities, but they are not the only securities available. The word security has a broad meaning. It encompasses, among a host of other investment vehicles and instruments, stocks, treasury stock, notes, debentures, interests in oil and gas wells, and mineral rights, among others. But how do you know whether something is a security under the Securities Act? The answer is pretty simple, the Howey Test. The Howey test is used to determine, using three elements, whether a product meets the definition of "Security" under federal securities laws. Read on for more insight on this issue.
December 18, 2020

8 Insurances Designed to Protect You From Business Liabilities

As much as we’d all like for life to go as planned, sh*t happens. Every business should have some form of business insurance. Business insurance is designed to protect business owners from potential business liabilities.
November 16, 2020

How to Own Your Own Real Estate

Real estate encompasses not only one’s primary residence but other real estates such as a vacation home or rental property. The ideal form of ownership varies depending on the type of real estate you own. Below, we take a look at different types of real estate and offer advice about the best form of ownership.
November 13, 2020
Opting Out of New Tax Rules After an Audit with Push-out Elections

13 Estate Planning Terms You Need to Know

Estate planning should be at the top of everyone's to-do list. However it can be an overwhelming topic to dive into if you are unfamiliar with the language. So—to help you get situated, here are some estate planning terms you should know as you think about your estate plan.
October 16, 2020
Hiring smart with a group panel interview

Hiring Smart for your Business

One of the most important aspects of building a strong team and even stronger company culture is hiring smart for your business.
October 16, 2020
Opting Out of New Tax Rules After an Audit with Push-out Elections

Opting Out of New Tax Rules After an Audit

Beginning in 2018, your partnership, limited liability company (“LLC”), or s-corporation (“S-Corp”) could be liable if an IRS audit reveals alleged underpayment in taxes. So here's how to better prepare your business for potential IRS audits that may reveal an underpayment in taxes
August 11, 2020

Doing Business With an Institutional Investor?

In the investor realm, there are institutional investors and non-institutional investors. Even though both investors are just that, the business relationships between the two do not follow the same structure. This is due to the nature of the differentiating securities [investment] laws. If you’re a business seeking investment capital, it is important to note institutional
August 11, 2020

Dying Without a Will in Texas

"Who Will Inherit My Assets if I Die Without a Will?" This is a question I often get from clients. In the state of Texas, if you are survived by your family and do not have an estate plan, the state divides your assets based off of something called Intestate Distribution. Intestate Distribution is
August 11, 2020

5 Simple Steps to Help Kickstart Your Estate Plan

I haven’t had time to get around to it" "I don’t have enough assets to leave anyone" "Estate Planning is too expensive" "I don’t know how to get a will or living trust" Have you ever caught yourself saying any of these things when trying to reason with the fact that you still haven't
August 2, 2020
The Basics of a Trust

The Basics of a Trust

For someone with one or more businesses, real property, or personal property, trusts can be a valuable tool. So, what is a trust? A trust is an estate planning tool used to manage your assets during life, after death, and to replace [or supplement] a will.
June 16, 2020
going from partner to entrepreneur

3 Things to Consider Before Going from Partner to Entrepreneur

Are you looking to fill your entrepreneurial spirit by starting a new business? Or looking for alternatives, because you’re unhappy with the current business venture? Although there are benefits to having business partners, sometimes, it’s better just to go at it alone.
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