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At Gordon, Sykes & Cheatham, LLP, we are dedicated to discovering and creating practical solutions to a variety of legal dilemmas. Our practice areas include:
Real Estate – We represent sellers, developers, end users and lenders in all types of Texas real estate transactions. Lease negotiations, for both landlords and the tenants, are an important part of our practice. We also regularly assist owners, contractors and subcontractors in negotiating and drafting agreements in the construction industry. Our experience enables us to effectively address the issues of real concern to our clients, as well as to educate and protect them in areas they may overlook.
Banking and Commercial – We can analyze and handle transactions from many perspectives. We have a long history of representing Texas financial institutions in commercial and real estate lending, ranging from construction and development loans, to working capital lines of credit and asset based financing. Our clients include both buyers and sellers of businesses in the retail, manufacturing and service industries. While there are always similarities, no two transactions are ever the same. We draw on our experience to identify and address not only routine issues but also those out of the ordinary ones. We have the experience to explore and apply both settled and emerging legal principles to arrive at solutions to unusual challenges. Our experience in representing both franchisors and franchisees dates back over fifteen years. During that time we have represented both established and startup franchisors, from preparation of their first offering circulars and franchise agreements, to registration and compliance issues, to preparation of master franchise and subfranchise agreements for international expansion. We have also helped many potential franchisees analyze particular investments from the purchaser’s perspective. One of our most important roles is to explain in straight forward terms the significance of particular disclosures in franchise offering circulars, as well as the important provisions in a franchise agreement. Corporations, Limited Liability Companies and Partnerships – We can advise you on the type of business entity that will work best for you based on your goals relating to capitalization, limitation of liability, management and control of your business, and income and franchise tax planning. We know that the best time to consider exit strategies for a business in Texas– whether your long term plan is to sell or to pass it on to family members - is often when you are first organizing it. And once you have decided how best to organize your business, we can help put your plan into action with all the necessary filings and organizational documents. Probate, Trust, and Guardianship – Trusts, Decedent’s Estates (Probate) and Guardianships involve the management of one person’s property by another person who is bound by the law of fiduciary relationships. Probate and Guardianship proceedings in Texas are supervised by probate courts and always require legal representation. Probate is the process that winds up the affairs of a person at their death and can include the probate of a will, payment of debts, and distribution of property to heirs. Probate can also involve will contests, disputes over the right to bank accounts with right of survivorship, insurance proceeds and employee benefits. Many times, a person’s will may be unclear, leading to multiple interpretations of the decedent’s wishes that have to be resolved by the Probate Court. Guardianship involves the administration of the property and person of minors and persons who are incompetent or incapacitated. Our attorneys are experts in leading clients through the difficult processes of probate and guardianship. Trusts are managed free of court supervision but require knowledgeable legal counsel to draft, fund and advise concerning interpretation and management issues. We frequently represent professional and individual trustees as well as beneficiaries in trust mattes. These may include reforming or construing ambiguous trusts, changing trustees, fiduciary accountings, breach of fiduciary duty lawsuits and trust administration matters. Contact us to learn more about our probate guardianship and trust legal services. Tax and Estate Planning – Tax and Estate planning go hand in hand. Different from estate administration, tax and estate planning involves the creation of legally effective arrangements to meet your specific wishes for business planning and family wealth transfers both during life and at death. These include, wills, trusts, powers of attorney, partnerships, corporations, living wills, and other business entities. Our lawyers work with financial planners, accountants and professional fiduciaries to design and implement wealth preserving techniques so that you are assured that your assets will be passed to the persons you intend with minimal tax obligations. We also design business entities that enable you to conduct your business in a manner that fits your needs and saves taxes. Contact us, to find out how we can help. Gordon, Sykes & Cheatham, LLP
1320 South University Drive, Suite 806
Forth Worth, TX 76107
Phone: (817) 338-0724
Fax (817) 338-0769
Email
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