Selling on Credit? The FTC Holder Rule Means Your Customer's Complaints Follow the Loan
Omitting the FTC Holder Rule notice (16 CFR 433) from consumer credit contracts is the seller's violation — and buyers can assert your disputes against lenders.
#contracts
Contracts
Client contracts, scope of work agreements, and legal documentation for service businesses
Trade Secrets, NDAs, and the Employee Exit Checklist for Small Businesses
Trade secret protection isn't automatic: courts ask what you did to keep it secret. Signed NDAs with the DTSA notice and a 7-step exit checklist prove it.
Wallpaper Installation Business Bookkeeping: Price Every Roll, Prep Job, and Deposit Like a Pro
Quote wallpaper per roll or square foot, cost prep separately, allow 10–25% pattern waste, and book deposits as unearned revenue — not income.
Are Your Licensees Underpaying You? A Small Licensor's Guide to Royalty Audits
Nearly 9 in 10 audited licensees underpay royalties, mostly by accident. The 7 errors audits find, the red flags, and the audit clause that shifts the cost.
Cash for Keys: How to Structure a Tenant Buyout That Actually Works
Cash for keys pays a tenant to leave voluntarily, often $1,000–$2,500 versus $4,000+ to evict. Here's the agreement, local rules and IRS 1099-MISC.
North Carolina's $40,000 Contractor License Line: How to Job-Cost and Bid Around It
North Carolina requires a GC license once a project's final price, change orders included, hits $40,000 — cross it unlicensed and the contract is void.
The Five Lease Clauses That Decide Your Rent for the Next Decade
Renewal caps, CPI escalators, holdover penalties, co-tenancy and exclusive-use terms set your real rent for a decade — negotiate them before you sign.
Liquidated Damages in Construction Contracts: Daily Rates, Caps, and Negotiation
Liquidated damages = daily rate × days late. Cap them at 5–10% of contract price, define excusable delays, and book them under ASC 606, not as expenses.
Radon Mitigation Contractor Bookkeeping: Warranty Reserves, Retest Rules, and Job Costing That Survives an Audit
A radon contractor's pCi/L guarantee is a warranty liability — accrue it per install, split testing from mitigation revenue, and amortize licenses monthly.
California's AB 692 Just Banned Most "Stay-or-Pay" Employment Contracts: What Small Employers Must Fix Now
California AB 692 voids stay-or-pay clauses signed on or after January 1, 2026 — audit your offer letters now or risk $5,000 per affected worker.
Illinois Freelance Worker Protection Act: What Hiring Businesses Must Put in Writing
Illinois FWPA: freelance deals of $500+ (aggregated over 120 days) need a written contract and payment within 30 days — or owe double damages plus fees.
The Kill Fee Clause Every Freelancer Contract Needs
A fair kill fee is 25% before kickoff or completed work plus 25–50% of the rest mid-project — and every retained dollar is Schedule C income.