When founders and key employees negotiate stock options, they often focus on vesting, exercise price, and expiration dates. What they frequently overlook is what happens if the company’s ownership structure changes before the option is exercised. A recent New York
Contract, Construction, & Lien Law Blog - Paulose & Associates
The Contract, Construction, & Lien Law Blog published by Paulose & Associates PLLC focuses on legal issues related to contract disputes, construction law, and lien rights primarily in New York. The blog discusses topics such as drafting and enforcing releases to protect businesses from negligence claims, the role and effect of architect's certifications in contract payment disputes, and practical guidance on litigation strategies in construction and commercial contract matters. It also covers employment law and insurance coverage issues as they intersect with construction and business disputes. The content is aimed at providing legal insights for contractors, business owners, and legal professionals involved in construction and commercial litigation.
Blog Authors
Latest from Contract, Construction, & Lien Law Blog - Paulose & Associates
Can Text Messages Prove a Business Loan in New York?
One of the most common calls we receive goes something like this: “I lent money to a friend, relative, or business owner. We never signed a loan agreement. But I have text messages where they keep promising to pay me…
Does Missing an Escrow Deadline Automatically Mean You Lose the Escrow Funds?
Post-closing escrow arrangements are common in residential real estate transactions throughout Westchester County and New York City. Buyers often insist on retaining a portion of the purchase price in escrow until open permits are closed, certificates of occupancy are obtained,…
When I buy into a business, am I giving a loan or an investment? Why giving money for shares is not a loan
One of the most common—and costly—mistakes I see in business disputes is the confusion between a loan and an equity investment. While the distinction may seem obvious in theory, in practice parties often blur the line, leading to litigation when…
When Denial of Books and Records Becomes Part of a Fiduciary Breach in Close Corporations
Access to financial records is important to minority shareholders in closely held corporations. A recent New York Supreme Court Commercial Division decision demonstrates that the denial of books and records to such minority shareholders could be used to support claims…
When a “Loan” Isn’t Really a Loan: A New York Wedding Dispute Offers a Cautionary Tale for Small Business Lenders and Creditors
Business disputes in New York City and Westchester County often turn less on who “owes what” and more on how the deal was documented. A recent New York Supreme Court decision arising out of a high‑end wedding dispute underscores a…
Choosing Your Escrow Agent in a Real Estate Deal: Lessons from Williamsbridge
In an earlier post on this site, When the Seller’s Lawyer Holds the Escrow Deposit, I discussed the risks that arise when one party’s attorney controls escrow funds that are supposed to remain neutral. A related lesson follows naturally: when…
When Family Loans Go Wrong: Why Informal Agreements Can Become Expensive Legal Mistakes
Family loans are often made with the best of intentions. Parents want to help a child through a rough patch, relatives step in to assist with buying a home, or former spouses continue to provide financial support long after a…
If You Lend Money to Family, Put It in Writing
Lending money to a family member is often done informally, based on trust rather than documentation. When repayment does not occur, however, the lack of a written agreement can leave even a well‑intentioned lender without legal recourse. New York courts…
Do Verbal Family Loans Hold Up in New York Court?
Lending money to a family member is often done informally, based on trust rather than documentation. When repayment does not occur, however, the lack of a written agreement can leave even a well‑intentioned lender without legal recourse. New York courts…