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Kevin Michael Strait

Kevin Michael Strait

Attorney in Fort Collins, Colorado
  • Arbitration & Mediation, Business Law, Estate Planning ...
  • Colorado, Wyoming
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Claimed Lawyer ProfileQ&ASocial Media
Practice Areas
Arbitration & Mediation
Business - Arbitration/Mediation, Consumer - Arbitration/Mediation
Business Law
Business Contracts, Business Dissolution, Business Finance, Business Formation, Business Litigation, Franchising, Mergers & Acquisitions, Partnership & Shareholder Disputes
Estate Planning
Guardianship & Conservatorship Estate Administration, Health Care Directives, Trusts, Wills
Intellectual Property
Probate
Probate Administration, Probate Litigation, Will Contests
Trademarks
Trademark Registration
Additional Practice Area
  • Aviation Law
Fees
  • Free Consultation
  • Credit Cards Accepted
  • Contingent Fees
Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
Colorado
Colorado Supreme Court
ID Number: #56689
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Wyoming
Wyoming State Bar
ID Number: 8-6863
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Languages
  • English: Spoken, Written
Professional Experience
R&D Engineer
Afton Chemical Corp.
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Education
Regent University School of Law
J.D.
Regent University School of Law Logo
Virginia Commonwealth University
B.S. | Physics
Virginia Commonwealth University Logo
Professional Associations
State Bar of Colorado
Member
Current
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Lawyer-Pilot Bar Association
member
Current
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International Air & Transportation Safety Bar Association
member
Current
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Fort Collins Chamber of Commerce
Member
Current
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Denver Bar Association
member
Current
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Colorado Pilot's Association
Member
Current
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Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
Member
Current
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Publications
Articles & Publications
Patent: US9340746
USPTO
Patent: US8490471
USPTO
Certifications
Advanced Ground Instructor
Federal Aviation Administration
Private Pilot License
Federal Aviation Administation
Locksmith & Electronic Security Consultant
Department of Criminal Justice Services (Virginia)
Websites & Blogs
Website
Anzen Legal Group
Legal Answers
43 Questions Answered
Q. My gym made a t shirt that hints at another gyms logo. The t shirt is satire. I’m looking for a lawyer to take a look
A: Though I can't comment on your specific legal situation in this forum, I can offer some guidance on the fair use doctrines in US trademark law. In a combination of codified federal law and certain supreme court rulings, the development of a phrase or logo that parodies an existing, registered trademark is generally allowed (and it not infringement) if the parody is not used as a trademark itself, and it not submitted for trademark protection. Trademarks serve the board purpose of identifying the source of goods and services in a marketplace. The trademark might be a business name, a product name, a slogan, or graphic artwork like a logo. To act as a trademark, the phrase or artwork must be used to identify the seller of the goods or services in a sales environment. If a parody logo is NOT used in a way that distinguishes any one seller of goods or services, the parody is NOT functioning as a trademark. If the parody is not functioning as a trademark, it falls within the establishes set of exemptions and does not form infringement.

Once again, this commentary is a general description of the fair use exception for parodies and is not legal advice specific to you situation.
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Q. For the state of colorado - I am going to need to open an S Corp. Is it better to start it as LLC or C Corp for few day?
A: Many people form an S-Corp to take advantage of the personal income tax breaks when paying yourself as both an owner and an employee of the business. The S-Corp election is more accurately called the "subchapter S tax election" and, as you point out, can be used in combination with an LLC or a traditional C-corp.

I'm not familiar with your situation and this answer is not legal advice specific to your goals, but generally the subchapter S election is used with LLCs where a small number of owners of the business wish to draw regular wages and make partners' draws.

If you make the subchapter S election, the underlying business will still be an LLC or a corporation (whichever you selected when forming the business). The tax election just establishes the rules for taxation and how you can convert business profits to personal income.

When selecting between an LLC and a Corp structure, one key factor is the future ownership of the business. If the business will have relatively few owners and infrequent changes in ownership, an LLC make a lot of sense. If the business will have shareholders in the traditional sense, will change hands often, or will seek investors that pan to hold shares, then a corporate structure is most appropriate. Keep in mind that a corporation can "authorize" shares but "issue" them to individuals at a later time. In contrast, an LLC generally has ownership that adds up to 100% at all times, and an LLC generally cannot own it's very own equity (but a corporation can).

The liability protections of an LLC and a corporation are often similar, but the duties and obligations to maintain those protections will vary. Generally, a LLC has simplified duties of self-governance to maintain the so-called "corporate veil" of protection. Corporations usually have more complex requirements to maintain the liability protections, such as formal meeting of a board of directors and keeping written meeting minuities.

One last consideration is the overall ownership structure if the business will be in a family of companies with parent companies and subsidiaries. There are restrictions on how a business acting under the subchapter S election can be a part of a holding structure. Talk to your CPA to be sure your overall structure is acceptable for your business making the subchapter S election.
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Q. Deceased Devisee
A: This response is generalized information related to Colorado inheritance, and is not legal advice specific to your situation.

Gifts made in a Will are sometimes given special attributes, conditions, or rules. A gift that fails to meet the conditions required in the Will can "lapse." A lapsed gift cannot be collected by an heir.

One common condition placed on gifts in a Will is the attribute of the recipient surviving the deceased person.

Certain language in the Will can make the gift valid even if the recipient dies first. That recipient's estate, or more likely that persons heirs, can still collect the gift. But another common condition in a Will is that a gift will lapse if the named recipient is not alive to collect the gift. A lapsed gift is terminated, and the Will probably includes rules for handling any terminated gifts.

The exact conditions that apply to any specific gift made in any specific Will are unique. Colorado does not require any formal language in a Will to make a gift, or to make the gift with conditions. Some Wills are vague or fail to specify any conditions at all. You may want to consult a Colorado attorney to interpret the Will and tell you if the gift to your father has lapsed or if the gift to your father is collectable by an heir. An attorney can likely interpret the conditions that apply to the gift at a relatively low cost.
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Anzen Legal Group
343 W. Drake Road
Suite 270
Fort Collins, CO 80526
Telephone: (970) 893-8857
Monday: 8 AM - 5 PM
Tuesday: 8 AM - 5 PM (Today)
Wednesday: 8 AM - 5 PM
Thursday: 8 AM - 5 PM
Friday: 8 AM - 5 PM
Saturday: Closed
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