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The Jacobson Law Firm, P.C. -" Concierge Counsel to Small Business (TM)"
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At the Jacobson Law Firm, we have over 70 years of legal experience among us and we like what we do. We attribute much of our success to our understanding that we are in a service industry. We take the time to listen to you, understand your business or legal situation, and your concerns. Then we analyze the legal matters and issues and provide you with options. Finally, we explain the benefits and detriments of each option at a personal and business level.
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Thorough, Personalized, Creative Legal Solutions for Small and Mid-Size Businesses
We offer personalized legal resources for all your business law concerns. We deliver inventive solutions for all issues surrounding business formation, estate planning, probate, and contract dispute. From the initial steps of planning and starting up your business, organization, assumed name, or business succession planning, we assist in limiting your liability and maximizing your assets. Our team of experts can manage your asset sales, stock sales, mergers and acquisitions. Whether your business is a sole proprietorship, LLC, partnership, or corporation, we are the entrepreneurs’ leading business formation lawyers in San Antonio.
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The Jacobson Law Firm, P.C.
6391 De Zavala, Suite 201
San Antonio, Texas 78249
(210) 341-1333
Firm Established: 1986
Attorneys in this Office: 3
All principals and the firm are rated av by the Martindale-Hubbell Legal Directory - the highest rating available for competence and ethics.
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Our daily goal is to respond to any email or message within 24 hours. We know that if you're calling your lawyer, you need answers. Some of our clients are third and fourth-generation family members, and many of our business clients have been with us since our firm helped them get started. We like to think that's because they understand that we'll be here, giving good advice, even if it's not what they want to hear.
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Adolph D. "Jake" Jacobson
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- Estate Planning
- Probate
- Municipal Law
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- Business Formation
- General Business Law
- Military & Government Law
- Health & Medical Law
- Civil Litigation
- Security Clearances
- Estate Planning
- Probate
- Traffic Offenses
- Municipal Law
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Darrell E. Anderson, Of Counsel
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- Estate Planning
- Probate
- Trusts
- Guardianships
- Civil Litigation
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BUSINESS FORMATION
In these uncertain times of economic extremes, starting and operating your own business may seem overwhelming and confusing. However, at The Jacobson Law Firm, we remove the confusion and stress so that you can be the creator of your future. From the very first steps of organizing and planning, we ensure you get your business off to the right start. There are many choices when it comes to the type of legal entity you want to create. Whether your enterprise is a sole proprietorship, General partnership, Limited partnership, Limited Liability … read moreCompany or an S Corporation, each has specific tax and liability attributes. Our lawyers meticulously prepare and file all documents necessary to firmly establish your business in compliance with Texas law, ensuring your peace of mind and strong footing.
We will analyze your options and carefully explain them to you, then make recommendations that are optimal to assist with attaining your goals. We evaluate the various legal structures to minimize tax consequences and liabilities and then focus on maximizing your interests and assets. Our team of experts manages your asset sales, stock sales, mergers, acquisitions, and other corporate governance matters including contract disputes.
If you need to take legal action to protect your interests, we can represent you in business litigation. To schedule a confidential consultation, contact us at 210-341-1333. ...minimizeBUSINESS LITIGATION
Unfortunately, we live in a litigious society that makes your business a target for lawsuits. Fortunately, however; our attorneys at The Jacobson Law Firm in San Antonio are experienced trial lawyers who will fight to protect your business and interests. We will conduct your litigation with attention to cost efficiency and minimal distractions. With the attorneys at The Jacobson Law Firm, you can focus on your business- not your lawsuit.
CONTRACT DISPUTES/ SHAREHOLDER ISSUES/ CORPORATE DEBT
When business or shareholder issues become a legal problem, The Jacobson Law Firm is a leader in the Business Law industry. Qualified and experienced in navigating all areas of business and corporate law, including litigation prevention and settlement, our attorneys possess the knowledge and the stamina required to secure your business interests.
We represent our business clients aggressively in business litigation matters. Our clients know they can count on our decades of experience to give them an advantage in any pre-trial or courtroom setting. Whether the issue is a contract dispute, shareholder issue, corporate debt or other complex business litigation issue, The Jacobson Law Firm has the experience to get results.
WHEN THERE’S A WILL~ THERE’S A WAY
Death can take more than an emotional toll: for the family and heirs of a decedent, claiming the property of the estate can seem complex and daunting. Although no one likes to think about dying, there are good reasons to prepare for this inevitable event by setting up a plan to distribute one's estate after death. The attorneys at The Jacobson Law Firm in San Antonio are experts in asset protection, wealth preservation and distribution.
A person's estate consists of all his or her property and possessions, including bank accounts, real … read moreestate, furniture, automobiles, stocks, bonds, life insurance policies, retirement funds, pensions, and death benefits. If a person plans well, his or her estate can be passed on after death quickly, easily, and subject to fewer taxes. More importantly, if you have minor children it is vital that you make arrangements as to who will care for them if both you and your spouse have passed away or become incapacitated.
With your disability and death comes sadness for those who knew and loved you. Proper estate planning can assure that problems after your death do not compound your family’s grief. The attorneys at The Jacobson Law Firm ensure the preparation of all essential documents with expert legal advice regarding the many ways to leave property and the tax consequences. Estate planning is vital to the preservation and distribution of your family’s wealth. Many post- death instructions may be included in a will.
The guidance of an experienced attorney is very helpful when dealing with complicated property holdings or an estate with many assets, especially if they are located in several different places. An attorney can ensure that the transfer of property described in the will is done in a way that minimizes the survivors' tax liability. In addition, a complicated estate may require documents other than a will, such as a trust agreement, to ensure that all of a person's wishes are carried out. Rest assured, the experienced estate planning attorneys at The Jacobson Law Firm provide asset protection and peace of mind. ...minimize
A will can be simple or elaborate, depending upon the size of the estate and the wishes of the testator (the person making the will). Wills are the most common document used to specify how an estate should be handled after death, protecting and preserving your assets. The attorneys at The Jacobson Law Firm in San Antonio are experts in asset protection, wealth preservation and distribution.
If a person does not have a will or has not adequately planned for the distribution of his or her estate at death, survivors may face a complicated, time-consuming, and costly process.
The provisions of a will are valid until they are changed, revoked, destroyed, or invalidated by the writing of a new will. Wills are not changed legally simply by crossing out existing language or writing in new provisions. Individual provisions in a will can be changed by a codicil, which is described below.
ADVANCE DIRECTIVES
A Directive to Physicians (commonly called a "living will") allows you to state your desires ahead of time regarding life-sustaining treatment. Through it, you can instruct healthcare providers on the use or non-use of various treatments, such as cardiac resuscitation, mechanical respiration, tube feeding and antibiotics, if you find yourself with an irreversible or terminal condition. However, Texas law states you must be given treatment to reduce pain when possible. People sometimes are concerned that once they execute a Directive to Physicians, they will be refused treatment at an emergency room after an auto accident or the like. However, the document is effective only when a terminal illness or irreversible condition exists and you are no longer deemed competent by a physician, and you can revoke it at any time.
A Medical Power of Attorney lets someone you designate make medical treatment decisions for you if you are temporarily or permanently unable to communicate your wishes. Like a Directive to Physicians, it can be revoked at any time.
POWER OF ATTORNEY
A power of attorney is a document that allows you to appoint a person or organization to handle your affairs while you are unavailable or unable to do so. The attorneys at The Jacobson Law Firm in San Antonio are experts in asset protection, wealth preservation and distribution. They provide expertise in the areas concerning different types of Powers of Attorney.
A Statutory Durable Power of Attorney (sometimes called a General Power of Attorney) authorizes your agent to act on your behalf in a variety of different situations. A special … read morepower of attorney authorizes your agent to act only in special circumstances.
If a power of attorney is executed, it is essential that it be made known to family members before the testator becomes incapacitated. If the durable power of attorney is kept secret, locked away in a safe deposit box with the will until a person dies, it will be too late for the DPOA provisions to be useful. The Jacobson Law Firm provides peace of mind knowing these matters are attended to your specifications, ensuring prompt action that fulfills your desire and need.
DECLARATION OF GUARDIANSHIP OR CONSERVATORSHIP
Guardianship is a court-supervised administration for a minor under the age of 18 or an incapacitated adult. In some states, the term conservatorship is used to distinguish between proceedings involving minors or adults; however, in Texas the term guardianship refers to both minors and incapacitated adults. The attorneys at The Jacobson Law Firm are experienced in these delicate matters, providing expert advice and guidance in making these difficult decisions.
A will may name a guardian or conservator who will take care of minor children should there be no surviving parent. A will may even be used to disinherit a child if the testator does not want the child to receive any part of the estate. The options for what a person can do with a will are varied, but there are limitations. If a person fails to name someone to assume the role of guardian, the probate court appoints someone. The person chosen by the court will usually be a close relative or friend, but it may not be the person the parent would have chosen. It is important that the potential guardian understand the provisions of the will and be willing to accept the responsibilities of being a guardian. Also, it is wise to name an alternate guardian should the primary guardian be unable to accept the responsibility. Of course, the selection of a guardian for children is likely to influence how the parent wants to distribute his or her property. The parent may want to give property to someone only if the recipient accepts guardianship of a child. In this way, the guardian is given the financial resources to care for the child. In our experience, this is the most difficult decision parents make in the process of drafting a will, and sometimes it even keeps them from completing the process. We are here to help you analyze your options and make the best and most comfortable decision regarding your children.
...minimizeA trust is another estate-planning device frequently used to manage the distribution of a person's estate and should never be drafted without the aid of a lawyer. There are many complex laws that regulate trusts; the attorneys at The Jacobson Law Firm in San Antonio ensure the essential documents are constructed to fit your need and desire.
In some situations, trusts have many advantages over wills. Creating a trust can be a better way of passing on assets. Creating a living or testamentary trust is an especially popular way of providing for … read morebeneficiaries' future educational or medical costs. Trust can be either revocable or irrevocable. As implied by their names, a revocable trust can be changed or revoked after its creation, while a person signing an irrevocable trust gives up the right to change (in some circumstances) or revoke the trust.
A revocable trust quite often is devised to supplement a will and/or to name someone to handle the grantor's affairs should the grantor become incapacitated. Tax authorities consider the grantor of a revocable trust to be the owner of the property because he or she still controls the property. For this reason, income from assets held in a revocable trust must be reported as income to the grantor for income tax purposes. At the death of the grantor, property in a revocable trust is included in the estate for calculating estate taxes.
An irrevocable trust often is designed to be the beneficiary of a life insurance policy. Such a life insurance trust also may spell out how the policy's money is distributed to survivors. In addition, irrevocable trusts often are set up to manage money given to minors and to charities. Finally, an irrevocable trust can be used to transfer assets to another person in the event that the grantor requires expensive medical care. Although doing so may protect the grantor's family by ensuring that the cost of medical care does not wipe out the family fortune, it may make the grantor ineligible to receive federal and state medical assistance.
Living trusts also called ‘inter vivos trusts, can handle can handle many diverse tasks yet, there are a few misconceptions that are noteworthy. In Texas, there is no inheritance/ estate tax however; there are federal estate taxes. Living trusts do not reduce taxes or help a single person tax wise. They do not help a grantor avoid creditors and debts must be settled before the estate can be distributed. A living trust can help married couples each get an exemption instead of "sharing" an exemption. Living trusts do not help someone qualify for public assistance benefits, such as Medicaid. Assets are not distributed from the living trust until the last grantor has passed. ...minimize
In Texas, there is no inheritance/ estate tax; however, there may still be federal estate tax liability for some larger estates. If a person does not have a will or has not adequately planned for the distribution of his or her estate at death, survivors may face a complicated, time-consuming, and costly process. With planning, an estate can be distributed as fairly as possible with as little tax burden as legally allowed.
With few exceptions, the estate of a person who dies owning property in his or her name cannot be legally distributed without first going through probate. When a decedent leaves no will or other comparable estate planning tool, he or she is said to have died intestate. Probate operates either formally, with court supervision, or informally, without court supervision. The probate attorneys at The Jacobson Law Firm ensure the essential documents are constructed to fit your need and desire.
PROBATE
In Texas, probate can be very simple if you leave a properly drafted will, and the expert probate attorneys at The Jacobson Law Firm provide knowledgeable experienced probate advice and representation concerning asset protection, wealth preservation and distribution.
A living trust, if properly drafted AND funded, can avoid probate because none of your assets are in your name at death. If you have vigilantly transferred everything you own to the trust, the distribution of your assets at death will be handled under trust law, instead of under … read moreprobate law.
The state of Texas is not interested in tying up your assets. Indeed, often probate isn't even mandatory in Texas; it should be thought of more as a service that the state offers to help the heirs clear title to assets. Most banks and other institutions will not release assets or funds to the heirs of the account owner without the order of a probate court or the issuance of letters testamentary, because they are afraid of being sued if someone lies to them about being an heir. An order from a probate court will protect them from this liability.
The Texas probate system is designed to
• Help the rightful heirs obtain such an order as easily as possible, while still preventing fraud by impostors.
• Oversee the distribution of estate assets, including payment of state and federal taxes
• Hear any contested claims by creditors or others seeking to collect from the estate
• Appoint a personal representative when one is not named in the will
• Supervise the actions of the personal representative, including the payment of state and federal taxes
• Determine which possessions are subject to estate administration
• Determine a decedent's true heirs
• Rule on the legitimacy of any claims outstanding against the estate
• Supervise the transfer of assets to beneficiaries named in the will
• Oversee a guardian's use of property placed in trust for the benefit of children or dependents
Making out a will does not guarantee that survivors avoid all distribution problems, but a carefully drafted will can minimize their time in court. Probate operates either formally, with court supervision, or informally, without court supervision. The experienced probate attorneys at The Jacobson Law Firm ensure the essential documents are constructed to fit your need and desire. ...minimizeThe Jacobson Law Firm provides legal representation in areas of national security law, private employment law, and government employment law. As security clearance lawyers, The Jacobson Law Firm provides experienced litigation in resolving denials of access to information or secure facilities pertaining to active duty military, DOD personnel, and industrial contractors. Our security clearance attorneys have advised and represented individuals and companies on issues of security clearances and the protection of classified national security … read moreinformation before the Department of Defense, the Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals and in the Federal Courts.
This firm practices in the areas of personnel security law, personnel security clearances and security clearance counseling for federal agencies, federal contractors, and government and military personnel, including facility security clearances. The Jacobson Law Firm provides experienced litigation concerning issues of documentation classification, Statement of Reason appeals, Letter of Intent appeals, revocation of security clearance, security clearance denials, revocations and reinstatements.
Issues such as dual citizenship, relatives living in foreign countries, bad debt, emotional disorders, past criminal conduct, security violations, and misuse of information are frequently cited for denial or revocation of security clearance or access to classified or sensitive information.
The Jacobson Law Firm handles all formal hearings and appeals including before the Defense Office of Hearing and Appeals, intelligence agencies and central adjudication facilities, in all these issues:
• Personnel Security
• Facility Security
• Contractor Security
• Active Duty Military Security
• Document Classification
Personnel Security involves the granting or denial of security clearances to civilian employees of the government, employees of government contractors and military personnel. Clearances may range from Confidential to Top Secret, and may include access to various more sensitive programs such as Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI), Special Access Programs (SAP's) and Code Name programs. Facility security clearances concern the physical and electronic protection of classified information, and programs and clearances for key personnel.
Document Classification deals with the security level applied to documents and programs. Whether disclosure of particular information would cause "damage" "serious damage", or "exceptionally grave damage" will determine the level of personnel security and facility security protection to be applied.
This firm practices in the areas of personnel security law and security clearances for contractors, government and military employees. It also deals with issues of facility security clearances and document classification. ...minimizeThe attorneys at The Jacobson Law Firm advises business clients in all aspects of the general business cycle from choice of business entity (corporation, limited liability companies, limited partnerships, limited liability partnerships, professional corporations, s corporations, partnerships or joint ventures), formation and financing of the business entity, through day- to day review, mediation, arbitration, estate planning, wills, trusts, Comptroller, Franchise Tax Report negotiation and preparation of all types of commercial, construction, … read moreincorporation, financial, employment transactions, buy sell agreements, acquisitions, asset purchases and sales, mergers, equity and other financial agreements. We regularly represent corporations and other business entities, providing counsel to boards of directors or members concerning corporate governance, finance, compliance, and other regulatory issues.
Our attorneys regularly prosecute, defend, counsel and advise regarding lawsuits involving business matters or between businesses or between the owners of a business. The Jacobson Law Firm has experience working with businesses to restructure and recapitalize, addressing a variety of corporate, financial and ownership issues, often involving refinancing and sale of parts of businesses.
We advise our business clients in all types of commercial and business transactions including asset purchases and sales, secured and unsecured bank financing, seller financed sales and transactions involving all manner of assets such as real estate, equipment, inventory, accounts, and other areas of general business law.
Our firm has experience in both bringing and defending lawsuits between two or more businesses, between an individual and business, between employees and employers, and between owners of the same business. These cases can involve many issues including damages for breach of contract, allegations of misrepresentations and/or fraud, lost profits, lost business opportunities, disputed commissions or compensation, buy/sell disputes, and ownership disputes, as well as many other areas of disagreements.
The attorneys at The Jacobson Law Firm are the General Business Lawyers and leading Litigation Lawyers of San Antonio, experienced in representing parties in alternative dispute resolution proceedings, including arbitration (where a person or panel of persons decides a dispute) and mediation (a process whereby a third party assists the persons involved in a dispute in resolving that dispute). Also, our attorneys are capable and experienced in serving as a mediator or arbitrator. ...minimize
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Disclaimer & Legal Notice
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The Jacobson Law Firm, P.C. provides pages with this website as a service to the public. As legal advice must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case, nothing provided herein should be used as a substitute for advice of competent counsel. The materials on this website do not constitute legal advice, do not necessarily reflect the opinions of The Jacobson Law Firm, P.C. or any of its attorneys or clients, and are not guaranteed to be correct, complete, or up-to-date.
This website is not intended to create, and does not create, an attorney-client relationship between you and The Jacobson Law Firm, P.C., and you should not act or rely on any information in this website. Accordingly, please do not send us any information about any legal matter which may involve you unless or until you have received a written statement from us in the form of an engagement letter providing that we represent you.
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