Rare is the business entity that is completely detached from one form or another of social media. Indeed, a significant portion of businesses today directly utilize the benefits offered by social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter. And even when a business does not itself engage in social media postings or tweets, you can rest assured that its employees do and will! So how can a business ensure that the messages posted on its social media platforms, as well as those posted about it by its employees on theirs, help promote the image it desires rather than hurt? How … Continue reading
Physical Separation vs. Legal Separation
Clients often ask “what does it mean to be separated?” First, you must be physically separated meaning you and your husband or wife have to live at separate addresses – it is not enough for the spouses to be sleeping in separate bedrooms or in separate parts of the house. Prior to physical separation, it is advisable to enter into a Separation Agreement to formalize your intention to live permanently separate and apart from one another. The Separation Agreement will waive certain marital rights, such as estate rights or the right to share in the future assets of the other … Continue reading
Dying Without a Last Will and Testament
Most people don’t think about what will happen if they die without a Will. As a matter of fact, most people don’t think about Wills at all. Over half of Americans have never executed a Last Will and Testament. What they may not realize, however, is what happens to their estate (the house, the car, the business, the bank accounts) in these circumstances. Dying without a Will is called dying “Intestate” and is covered in the North Carolina statutes under N.C.G.S. Section 29-13 et seq. Under these statutes, the State of North Carolina determines a person’s heirs and they may … Continue reading
To Foreclose or Not to Foreclose
Should a homeowner association use foreclosure to collect association dues? The power to foreclose for unpaid association dues is a significant option in North Carolina. In many cases it is difficult for association boards and memberships to support using foreclosure without better understanding the importance of associations collecting all funds budgeted. It is important to keep in mind that an overwhelming number of foreclosure actions are dismissed very early in the process because the homeowner pays in full in a lump sum or through a payment plan. Only a small fraction of cases are actually foreclosed. Associations, in almost all … Continue reading
Meeting Myths
5 Myths About Meetings & Parliamentary Procedure If your association meetings are organized, properly run and stay on track, consider yourself lucky. If not, it’s likely your association is spending time on things it shouldn’t or isn’t doing things it should. There are several reasons why you might be having troubles. Let’s dispel some common meeting myths and explore what it takes to run a good one. Myth #1: Parliamentary Procedure Doesn’t Matter Many associations dictate in their governing documents that a certain parliamentary book will be followed when transacting business. In fact, North Carolina and other states have statutes … Continue reading
Swimming Pools, the ADA, and Handicapped Accessibility
Swimming pool and handicap issues have taken center-stage in 2012. Scary articles on new federal pool regulations include “The Pool-calypse” or “Poolmageddon” (yes, really). You may have the impression that every association pool needs extensive pool upgrades to comply with federal changes. The reality is not quite so clear. (As usual in the homeowner or condominium association world, your situation may be different. Contact us with specific questions.) ADVANCE WARNING: The current situation is confusing. Reading this blog will be like swimming 20 laps in an Olympic pool! Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Swimming Pool Guidelines Changes to the ADA … Continue reading