If you file for bankruptcy, your credit card issuer is likely to kick up your rate or cancel your card, even though you are current on the account. Though less than sporting, their actions would be entirely legal.

How can you tell if your business idea will be profitable? Honestly, you can't. But this shouldn't keep you from researching the financial soundness of your idea.

Musicians, like other human beings, appreciate being given credit where credit is due. But even more important than the nicety of listing the names of the music makers is the legal requirement of paying them for the right to copy their work.

The more you know about starting a business, the more power you have to form an organization that develops into a lasting source of income and satisfaction. For help with the beginning stages of operating a business, the following checklist is a great place to start.

More women than ever before are grabbing the reins and starting their own businesses. The number of women-owned small businesses is growing approximately twice as quickly as the national average for all start-ups.

Is there a possible infringement on the name even though we are both using it for completely different purposes?

I've been told that it takes ten years for a Chapter 7 to "fall off" your record. Is there anything I can do in the meantime to get a lower rate on my car loan and credit cards?

Generally, the longer you put off resolving the issue, the worse the situation and consequences will become. Whether you negotiate directly with the collector or obtain a lawyer's assistance, most counselors feel it is almost always best to talk with the collector and try to work out a mutually satisfactory arrangement.

Why should I register my work with the U.S. Copyright Office?

When you start a business, you must decide whether it will be a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, or limited liability company (LLC).

In many states, if you are behind in your car payments, the lender can "repossess" your car without warning or even leaving a calling card.

I'm writing a book that deals with a long-running news story. I'm getting my facts from newspapers and magazines and turning the story into a novel, based on fact. Do I have to get the sources' permissions to use the facts? How do I give proper credit in the book to these sources?

I would like to negotiate a lower interest rate with the mortgage holder, but am not eligible for refinancing because of the bankruptcy. How can I approach the lender about this?

If you’re the “always need a lawyer” type, there is actually a lot you can start to do for yourself. But if you’re the “no lawyers for me, thanks” type, it’s important to recognize when you’re in over your head and need the help of a competent lawyer.