Why Protecting Intellectual Property Is Crucial to Business Success on 5 Counts

Because intellectual property is not a physical asset, it can easily be overlooked. Safeguarding a company’s intellectual property is crucial to developing and maintaining a successful business, however.

Yet a company's use of its intellectual property can result in high-stakes battles. This past year top U.S. politicians criticized the very name of a NFL team, the Washington Redskins, and last month the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Trial and Appeal Board cancelled federal protection for its trademarks, saying they disparage Native Americans. The team is appealing this decision, which has implications for its sale of merchandise.

Read more @ Entrepreneur.com

Estate Planning Tips for People Under 40

Utilize estate planning professionals. To draft these basic estate plans, experts recommend carefully selecting a team of professionals who will educate you and draft what you need based on your individual situation. "Don't feel like you have to jump at the first person whose name is given to you," Kirchick says. "I think that people should interview two or more attorneys, accountants, trust officers, financial advisors and so on."

Read more @ US News

Build A Wall Around Your Assets

The assets that you have worked long and hard to accumulate can be lost within a very short period if they are not properly protected and you are sued, you file for bankruptcy or you are otherwise subject to judgments proceedings. However, understanding that certain assets should be protected from being lost in such circumstances, lawmakers have passed acts under which certain types of assets are, or can be, shielded. In this article, we'll show you what measures you can take to protect your savings.

Read more @ Investopedia

No estate plan? You are making a costly mistake

Most Americans don't have a will or trust.

For those who actually do have one, it has likely been sitting in a drawer, not updated as life circumstances have changed. 

Read more @ CNBC

6 Estate Planning Steps Even Broke People Need to Take

More Than a Will

No one really wants to sit around thinking about what will happen if they get seriously sick or so incapacitated they can’t make sound financial decisions — let alone contemplate the actual D word. But that doesn’t mean you can forget about estate planning altogether. It won’t just go away if you ignore it, and you could be leaving yourself vulnerable in the future.

Read more @ Yahoo Finance