Successful business owners plan for the future. But in doing so, not all of them plan for the unexpected. If you’re an owner or partner, what happens in the event of your untimely death? Or if you suddenly become incapacitated in a serious accident? Without a plan for what to do next...
Protecting Your Company From Retaliation Claims
North Carolina law protects employees who engage in certain protected activities from employer retaliation. A lawsuit claiming that your business retaliated against an employee is serious. If the employee is successful in court, the consequences could include significant damages and fees. Fortunately, there are ways to protect your business against these claims....
Congratulations to David Hood!
Patrick, Harper & Dixon would like to express our congratulations to David Hood, our Partnership Chair. David Hood is the winner of this year's "Here I Stand" board game event at the PrezCon Nationals in Charlottesville, Virginia. "Here I Stand" is a game about the Renaissance and Reformation-era in Europe.
Patrick, Harper & Dixon, LLP Celebrating 75 Years
Hickory, NC (Law Firm Newswire) April 07, 2022 – Patrick, Harper & Dixon, LLP is proud to be celebrating 75 years of serving Hickory, Catawba County, and the surrounding Foothills area. Originally founded in 1946 as Akin, Patrick, Murphy & Harper, the firm moved forward in 1952 when Charles D. Dixon joined the...
How To Improve Your Chances Of Winning Social Security Disability
Social Security Disability (SSD) provides an essential lifeline to millions of Americans. At the same time, winning disability benefits is no easy task. The Social Security Administration is a massive bureaucracy that constantly experiences backlogs. Mistakes are not uncommon, and many applicants have a difficult time sufficiently explaining their conditions. Nonetheless,...
Dying Without A Will: What Are The Rules of Intestacy in North Carolina?
One of the advantages of having a Last Will and Testament is that the testator (the person who makes the will) gets to decide who will inherit what, among other choices concerning his or her estate. Dying without a Will, on the other hand, is known as dying intestate. If this happens,...
Employee vs Independent Contractor – And Why The Difference Matters
Many employers retain the services of independent contractors rather than employees, and for a number of important reasons. Contractors may only be needed for certain jobs or to fulfill a temporary need. Or the work in question may need to be completed but is not sufficient to sustain a lasting employment relationship....
How A Separation Agreement Can Make Your North Carolina Divorce Easier
The word “divorce” is enough to evoke images of courtroom battles, lawyers arguing, and plenty of time and money spent on an overall stressful experience. And while these images match reality for many divorcing spouses, there is a solution that can help make the process much easier. If divorce is in your...
What Is Discovery in North Carolina Civil Litigation?
In civil litigation, preparation is everything, and discovery is the foundation of that preparation. It’s the phase where both parties gather the facts and evidence needed to build their cases. This process helps ensure that everyone has access to the information they need to argue their side effectively. Whether it’s reviewing documents,...
Selecting The Right Legal Entity For Your North Carolina Business
One of the most important steps a new business owner will take is setting up the right legal structure for the company. The form your business decides to take will impact everything from your profits to taxes for years to come. The corporate law and business transaction attorneys at Patrick, Harper...
