I was able to get to my apt at the Anchorage Sat 09/03/05," said one message posted yesterday. "Came in thru Eden Isles off Hwy 11 — the beautiful white anchor at entrance is covered in about 7 ft of debris and there is only a one-lane path to enter/exit until over the little bridge."

Also featured is fellow law blogger Ernest Svenson, also known as Ernie the Attorney, who is from New Orleans and evacuated to Houston, Texas and later to Baton Rouge. Svenson began posting notes via a friend out of town, to whom he would text messages from the city. Information-sharing during a natural disaster is only the tip of the iceberg of what blogs can and are doing. No longer just a place to rant about politics or tell readers what you ate for breakfast, blogs are dynamic marketing tools, news portals and interactive message boards. They’ve been a blessing to people looking for missing loved ones. Bloggers are posting photos and e-mails from readers, trying to reunite families and friends. Since the disaster began, new and existing blogs are helping refugees and other survivors find places to live, work, and regroup after losing everything in the hurricane, an unexpected but valuable function.

Technorati Tags: blogs, law blogs, katrina, ernietheattorney

10. Contracts. Most businesses execute contracts for space, services, and supplies. Businesses often have agreements between partners, investors, and employees. It is important to get it right so you don’t end up in court.

9. Registering, Licensing, and Permits. Some business entities are required to register with the state in order to be recognized. Even businesses that are not required to register may be required to obtain licenses or permits.

8. Control. The choice of business entity likely dictates the manner in which the business is operated. Choosing the wrong entity may make you personally liable for the wrongs of employees or partners.

7. Multi-state Business. The preconditions to forming and conducting a business entity in one state may not be accepted in another state. If you are not careful, the protections you have in your home state of operations may be lost if you do business in another state.

6. Strict Conformity. With some business entities you must strictly conform to the state law governing that business form or you lose its benefits and protections.

5. Capital. Businesses need to raise money, keep records of income and distributions, and behave in a fiscally responsible manner. Different business entities may require different procedures for raising capital and making distributions.

4. Variety of Entities. Although there are five basic business entities, there are other options within these entities that determine things like double taxation and liability for the acts of partners.

3. Autonomy. With many business entities, the things you don’t decide are decided for you. Most states have adopted "Uniform Laws" that fill in the gaps for business entities where their charters, by-laws, and other organizing documents are silent. You may be subject to a whole set of laws and regulations that you don’t even know exist.

2. Tax. Different business forms provide different tax advantages and disadvantages. The only thing more crucial to a new business is liability.

1. Liability. Different business forms provide different protections and risks to the business owner/investor. Personal liability means that your business puts everything you own at risk. An attorney can help you avoid this situation or minimize your risk. Knowing about your personal liability and reducing the risk that your business may devastate the economic well-being of you and your family is worth the visit to your attorney.

[via Findlaw]