This is the time of year that many New Englanders are getting ready to pack it all in and head south for a tropical vacation with their kids. But before you leave for the airport, there are some bases you need to cover – or you may find yourself never getting past the boarding gate. Most travelers know that new regulations have been put into effect requiring a passport or other approved identification for traveling outside of the country, but what many people don’t realize is that they may need more legal documentation than their passport.
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For many New Englanders, summer vacation means heading off to a rental cottage for a week or more of sun and relaxation. But if you’re not careful, you can get burned in your summer rental deal. When you rent a vacation home or cottage you are entering into a contract, and whether you are the one who owns the cottage or the person renting it, the deal should be in writing to legally protect everyone involved. We all know someone who’s had a nightmare experience – the family who ended up with a summer rental that looked the Adam’s Family’s house, or the owner whose property got trashed by unruly seasonal tenants. There are basic contractual terms of the rental deal that need to be spelled out, and depending on which side of the fence you’re standing on, there’s additional language you’ll want to include to cover yourself.
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Maybe being home with kids is your dream job, but you still have the desire to be in the business world. Well, you really can have it all and without ever leaving home! Every year thousands of New Englanders start home-based businesses. No matter what type of home-based business you may be cooking up – being legally savvy is a key ingredient to success. (more…)
With high unemployment and a competitive job market, more people than ever are looking for a way to make money. But before you apply online for employment or consider buying into a “work-at-home” job, think again. Online job scams are out there and they’re dangerous! If you get scammed you can loose money, be the victim of identity theft, even find yourself legally liable for perpetuating fraud!
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Whether you’ve always dreamed of being your own boss and starting a business, or have recently been laid off and need to earn an income while you’re looking for new employment, you might want to think about being a consultant (someone who is self-employed).
Common terms you may have heard that essentially mean the same thing are independent contractor, free agent, freelancer, freelance worker, and sole-proprietor. No term is really more legally correct than another. The important difference is being self-employed vs. being an employee. In the legal field, we typically use the term “independent contractor.” Legally, you are an independent contractor if you offer your services for hire to the public, various people or companies hire you and pay you a fee, but you control how you do your work. Employers supervise not only the outcome, but also how an employee performs his or her job.
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