How to Create an Effective Non-Compete Agreement

A Non-Compete Agreement is a legal document used by business owners to restrict their employees from doing things that will damage the business, such as trying to convert customers or using inside knowledge or trade secrets, after they leave the company.

In New York, Non-Compete Agreements have been historically hard to enforce. The New York Court of Appeals has set strict guidelines that Non-Compete Agreements must follow in order to be considered valid in a court of law. The most important factor in whether or not a Non-Compete is enforceable is whether it is considered reasonable. The agreement must neither place undue hardship on the employee nor place any restrictions on the employee that are greater than needed to protect the company's legitimate interest. Despite the difficulty in enforcing Non-Compete Agreements, it is wise for small business owners to look into drawing up a valid agreement in order to protect their business. Below are some tips that can make your Non-Compete agreements more likely to be enforced in court.

Why Should You Get a Cohabitation Agreement?

A recent study done by the American Academy of Matrimonial Attorneys shows that matrimonial lawyers are seeing increasing numbers of clients whom are choosing to cohabitate and combine assets without first getting married.

As a long-time family law attorney, I know that just as it can be beneficial for couples who are planning to marry to sign pre-nupital agreements beforehand, it can also be beneficial for couples who are planning to move in together to sign a cohabitation agreement.

Cohabitation agreements are legal documents that a couple draws up in order to protect both persons' assets and define expectations in case the relationship does end. For couples who are living together without the legal protections and procedures of marriage, cohabitation agreements can minimize the financial repercussions of a bad break-up.