Business Law Leigh Cowden Business Law Leigh Cowden

Do I Have to Get a Tennessee LLC if I Do Business in Tennessee and Have an LLC in Another State?

Anyone conducting or transacting business in the State of Tennessee, who has their business registered in another state (for example, someone who has a Wyoming LLC but who runs their business out of a Tennessee location), must register with the State of Tennessee for a Certificate of Authority. That does not mean they have to have a Tennessee LLC, but they will have to pay fees and taxes that could make conducting business in Tennessee more expensive than they realize.

Read More
Business Law, Estate Planning Leigh Cowden Business Law, Estate Planning Leigh Cowden

What is a TIST? Everything You Need to Know About the Tennessee Investment Services Trust

Tennessee is one of the best states for asset protection trusts, many of which are available to people who aren’t even residents of the state. One of the more unique ones is the TIST, the Tennessee Investments Services Trust. Note, for our Florida clients, there’s a very similar asset protection trust in Florida as well, and the language of the Florida Statute effectively mirrors the language in the Tennessee Code, so we can offer this to our clients confidently in both states.

Read More
Business Law Leigh Cowden Business Law Leigh Cowden

Why Are LLCs So Popular?

There are two main reasons why a particular entity is chosen, be it an LLC, S-Corporation, C-Corporation, or some form of partnership: tax treatment of profits and risk management. Other considerations may weigh in, but these are usually top of mind for most new business owners.

Read More
Estate Planning Leigh Cowden Estate Planning Leigh Cowden

Does a Revocable Living Trust Interfere With My Control of My Assets?

Simply said, no. The people who put the assets into the Revocable Living Trust and who approve the language found in the trust document about how the assets are to be managed are the “Settlors” (sometimes also called Trustors, Grantors, or Trust Makers), who also designate the “Trustees”. The Trustees are the individuals who must follow the rules for managing the assets as outlined in the Trust document.

Read More