New Orleans Real Estate & Corporate Law Blog

Construction litigation is a serious concern for many home and business owners. Having these projects completed often requires that they put up a considerable sum of money. Unfortunately, they don't always go from start to finish seamlessly. Most people know to expect some issues with a construction project, but they don't expect serious or constant issues to creep up.

There are many factors that can lead to construction litigation. It is imperative that anyone who is going to undertake one of these projects knows about the more common ones so they can try to avoid them.

The real estate market is immensely competitive. Depending on the actions a person takes with a piece of property and when those actions are taken, that individual could stand to pocket a substantial profit from a transaction. However, real estate litigation could ensue if one person feels that an agent or broker did not act in an upstanding manner.

Louisiana readers may be interested in a lawsuit recently filed in another state against a real estate broker. Reports stated that the suit was filed by the former owner of a home and came as the result of the broker's son purchasing the property and making a substantial profit after flipping it. Apparently, the original owner of the property believes that the broker drove down the price of the property to her son's benefit and did not disclose to the owner that the buyer was her son, which violates the state's law.

Buying a home is a major decision that comes with significant benefits and risks. Owning a home can help a person establish firm financial footing or bring financial disaster, if the transaction is not handled properly. Whether you are buying a home for the first time or have already purchased real estate in the past, there are many issues that may arise during the home buying process. Protecting your interests throughout a real estate transaction takes attention and careful planning, especially when purchasing an older home.

As you move through the real estate purchasing process, make sure to review all your documents carefully. Understanding the details of complex legal documents like those used in real estate is not easy, so it is important to use high-quality legal resources and guidance as you need them, to keep your personal and financial interests secure.

There is a lot more that goes into building a thriving business than many people realize. Trade secrets and other forms of intellectual property are often the foundation upon which a successful business sits. Keeping that intellectual property secret is key to continued growth. In Louisiana, nondisclosure agreements are one of the most effective ways to keep that essential information away from the public and other businesses.

Employees and even partners are frequently asked to sign nondisclosure agreements. A typical nondisclosure agreement will address what information must be kept confidential, the length of the agreement and several other specifics. Agreements must also be reasonable, meaning that they may not be vague, too broad or impose significant burdens on those that sign them. Otherwise they may not be enforceable, even if willingly signed.