Law Office of Phillip L. Beard, Ltd.

08/31/2026

Huge news for small business owners! FinCEN has permanently ended the beneficial ownership reporting requirements under the Corporate Transparency Act for U.S. companies. See how this regulatory rollback impacts your business here.

https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sb0603

08/29/2026

Transferring property during divorce may be tax-free initially, but future sales can trigger significant capital gains liabilities. Understanding cost-basis rules and IRS exclusions helps protect your post-divorce financial stability.

Dividing assets fairly in a divorce means looking beyond their current values and asking whether they'll create tax liabilities — or tax breaks — in the future.

08/27/2026

A living will ensures your preferences for emergency medical care are clearly documented if you become unable to communicate. Setting up your advance directives early protects your wishes and eases the burden on loved ones. Learn what to include: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/advance-care-planning/preparing-living-will

08/25/2026

A living trust keeps your assets out of probate court, but a will is still essential to appoint guardians for minor children. Pairing a trust with a backup "pour-over" will gives you complete protection. Learn the key differences between wills and trusts here.

https://www.willmaker.com/learn/living-trusts/trust-vs-will-do-you-need-both.html

08/24/2026

Registering a business involves key decisions on entity structure, state qualifications, and federal compliance requirements like FinCEN beneficial ownership reporting. Protect your assets from day one with proper legal preparation. https://www.sba.gov/counseling/launch-your-business/ -permits

08/22/2026

Adoption laws can be complex and vary quite a bit from state to state. Different states have their own specific rules regarding background checks, financial stability, and personal history requirements for prospective parents. Being unprepared for the court-ordered investigation process can often lead to unexpected delays and complications.

Learn more about how adoption laws work: https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/adoption?

08/20/2026

Can a nursing home hold family members personally responsible for a relative's care bills? Under federal law, admission contracts cannot force caregivers to guarantee payment from personal assets. Learn how to review agreements and protect your estate

https://www.consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/educator-tools/resources-for-older-adults/know-your-rights-caregivers-and-nursing-home-debt/

08/18/2026

What happens to your assets if you pass away without a valid will? Dying intestate leaves major financial decisions to state probate courts instead of your loved ones. Learn how intestate succession works and why having a clear plan matters. https://www.investopedia.com/terms/i/intestate.asp

08/17/2026

Using copyrighted photos, music, or videos for business marketing usually requires permission from the content creator. While fair use rules allow limited use of protected materials for education or commentary, commercial promotions rarely qualify. Simply tagging or giving credit to the original creator is not enough to protect your business.

Our best expert advice on how to grow your business — from attracting new customers to keeping existing customers happy and having the capital to do it.

08/15/2026

Child support orders aren't set in stone, but they don't update automatically. Whether due to a job change, deployment, or disability, requesting a modification requires showing a substantial change in circumstances to the issuing court. Read our guide to learn more.

https://www.findlaw.com/family/child-support/child-support-modification.html